Aimee German

Founder & Director

Aimee German has taught Gymnastics and Circus to over 10,000 children for over 20 years.  She performs as a physical comedienne and clown at many NYC venues.  She studied dance and movement at the American Academy of Dance & Stanley Holden's in Los Angeles, then moved to London to complete her graduate degree in classical theatre. 
She performed the award-winning Bouffon version of Tennessee Williams’ "The Glass Menagerie" in the US and internationally.  After co-writing Canarsie Suite, she wrote and created The Keebles with her mother (Brenda, aka Grandma!) and toured the show in  New Orleans, Prague and England!

Augustine Alexander

Assistant Director & Dance Specialist

Augustine Alexander, known as Coach August, brings a wealth of experience in various creative fields. Her early years were filled with modeling, school theater, orchestra, cheerleading, and dance, fueling her passion for a life dedicated to the arts. A graduate of a prestigious New York dramatic arts conservatory, she pursued a professional dance career across diverse categories. Augustine excels in coaching, coupled with exceptional organizational skills and a positive, engaging demeanor. Shes been coaching with Gymstars for over half a decade and is now our Assistant Director!

Nedra Ward

Lead Supervisor, Competition Team Leader, Dance Specialist

Nedra Ward is an extraordinary performing artist, visual artist, and teacher. She trained in ballet, jazz, modern, dancehall and hip-hop. Nedra just recently moved back to New York in 2015 and works with Gymstars Brooklyn. 
Nedra studied dance at Southern Illinois University Edwardsville. She has trained and participated in numerous programs, studios, and workshops such as Hyde Park School of Dance, Endure Productions, Gallery 37 Joffrey Ballet, Rush studio of dance, Fiyah Fit and more. Nedra has performed in multiple Chicago NBA Bulls halftime performances,  for the Mayor of Chicago, The Today's Show NBC, New York Fashion Week and many more!

Zlata Grek

Instructor Gymnastics and Fitness Instructor

Zlata Grek has been doing gymnastics for 10 years and owns the title of Master of sports of Ukraine in rhythmic gymnastics.
Her past 10 years of experience as a gymnastics coach and fitness instructor in Ukraine, Poland, Spain, France and USA, helped her develop her interpersonal skills in very multicultural environments, with students of all ages and backgrounds!

Ana Brooks

Instructor Dance

Ana is a professional dancer and instructor from Utah. She received her BFA in Dance from Brigham Young
University and has had the pleasure of studying and performing many dance styles with companies from
coast to coast. She has been an instructor for six years, teaching ages 2- 75, and particularly loves helping
young students discover their own abilities and passion for movement. She strives to create a safe
environment where students are free to try new challenges and find their voice!

Yaqarah Huggins

Lead Instructor, Advanced Gymnastics

Yaqarah Huggins is a professional dancer currently located in NYC. She recently graduated from SUNY Buffalo State College in 2019. Yaqarah has been dancing since she was in the first grade and has trained in modern, hip-hop, dancehall, street Jazz and African dance. She has performed on numerous stages including Hot 97’s 2021 Reggae Tip Concert. Yaqarah enjoys educating children, being a team player and helping to make sure that everything runs smoothly within Gym Stars. 

Akua R. Kenny

Instructor Dance, Choreographer, Competition Coach, and Cheerleader Specialist

Akua was always involved in performing/creative arts. She wishes to spread her knowledge and training amongst the youth. Her journey began with praise dancing at the late great Grammy winning Timothy Wright’s Grace Tabernacle Church at the age of 8. She attended April’s Dance N’ Feet shortly after and studied tap, ballet, hip hop and contemporary until the age of 14. Following Aprils school, she attended Gramercy Performing Arts HS and advanced her dance career and studied various forms of techniques, which included Horton, Alvin Ailey and Graham. While attending Gramercy she took an intensive at the Martha Graham School of Contemporary Dance over the winter of 2013. In the year 2015 she worked for the after school program called Urban Arts as a cheerleading coach/captain where she gained her cheer and fitness training experience. From 2015 til now, she’s continuing her dance career perfecting her craft by training at various studios, performing for various artists and entertainment companies  such as HOT97, Teemanay and Amber Lee.

Kyle Jack

Lead Instructor, Gymnastics Specialist, and Cheerleading Specialist

Kyle is not only an expert teacher who has taught with us for over 5 years but also a neuro-scientist, college cheerleader and touring actor! He also teaches singing and musical theatre!   More info coming soon!

Ella Wasserman

Lead Instructor and Gymnastics Specialist

Ella Wasserman-Smith is a dancer, choreographer, arts administrator, and instructor based in Brooklyn. She graduated from the New School, Eugene Lang College with a major in Dance and a minor in Philosophy. Her life long love of movement was sparked by her early experience with competitive gymnastics. She competed through Level 5 at Classic City Gymnastics Academy in Athens, Georgia (Go Gymdogs!). She has taught at Little Gym of Brooklyn Heights and Chelsea Piers Field House. She is excited to be on the GymStars team!

Elizabeth Wellman

Lead Instructor, Gymnastics and Movement Specialist

Elizabeth Wellman is a dancer, choreographer and dance educator with a B.F.A. in Musical Theater from Wright State University. She has 6 years experience in dance education in New York, specializing in early childhood. Beyond learning skills her teaching focus is in artistic and emotional expression through movement. She is thrilled to be part of the Gymstars team!

Riccardo Cabalisti

Instructor

Riccardo started gymnastics at the age of 7, competing and training for more than 10 years. 
For the love of the sport he started teaching gymnastics 2 years ago, being around that environment make him full of joy and grateful for the ability to transmit his knowledge to the younger generation.
Coming from Italy this first great experience in New York is just the start for a long and prosperity career.

Jaelyn Arnett

Instructor

Born and raised in the coastal town of Beaufort, South Carolina, on the East Coast, my family originates from right here in the Bronx and Nassau, Bahamas. I moved to New York to pursue dance and modeling full-time, and to be closer to my family. My passion for dance began when I was six, initially drawn to it by the allure of the costumes. A pivotal moment came during a school performance when I realized that dance was more than just a hobby—it was my calling. The connection between rhythm and expression became evident, pushing me to remain consistent in my school's dance program at Beaufort High School until I graduated. My dedication earned me a place in the National Honor Society of Dance and Arts for 13 years. In addition to dance, I explored gymnastics at the Sports Academy in South Carolina for two years, reaching level four in competitions. After graduating, I relocated to Columbia, South Carolina, to attend the University of South Carolina Midlands, focusing initially on criminal justice before transitioning into fashion modeling. For the past four years, modeling has been my professional path. I recently moved to New York from Charlotte, North Carolina, ready to embrace new opportunities in dance and fashion.

Georgia Becker

Instructor

Georgia was a gymnast her entire childhood starting at age 3. She competed in high school and has competed at the state and regional level. Outside of coaching she acts commercially and theatrically. Georgia graduated from SUNY Plattsburgh in May 2025 with a BA in Music. Georgia is excited to be back in the sport and to share the love of the sport to others.

Johnathan Onyango

Instructor

Jonathan was born in Texas but grew up in Kenya, hes been living in New York for almost 3 years now spending most of my time performing and writing. Hes been teaching dance and gymnastics for over 2 years and Is excited to work with kids.

Gabriella Dupont

Instructor

Gabi DuPont is an actress, performance artist, collaborator and movement teacher specializing in psychophysical practices that are meant to align the mind, heart and body. She is a recent NYU Tisch Alum with a BFA in Drama and a minor in psychology. She is currently training to get a teachers certification in yoga, but spends most of her time working on devised collaborations with peers as well as researching and crafting her own work. Gabi did gymnastics for 7 years, and is more than thrilled to continue learning with her students through these corporal mediums of yoga and gymnastics, as well as activating some young artists with her theatrical background and experience.

Victoria Salimbene

Instructor

Victoria Salimbene brings bright energy and creativity to every class she teaches! Currently earning her BFA in Dance with a Jazz Concentration at Marymount Manhattan College, she combines her love of movement with a passion for helping young gymnasts grow in confidence, coordination, and self-expression. Victoria believes every child can shine through movement and strives to make each class a fun, positive, and encouraging space