Founder and Owner

Subjects: Swimming, Musical Theatre, Singing, Acting, Dance (Tap, Jazz, Ballet), Audition Prep

Eileen is a performer, teaching artist, and swim coach originally from Connecticut. Eileen holds a BFA in Musical Theatre from The Hartt School. Her performance career includes credits from Law & Order SVU, Goodspeed Musicals, Theater By the Sea, Summer Theater of New Canaan, Derby Dinner Playhouse and Seven Angels Theatre. She has been teaching theatre and swimming for 15 years and currently serves as Programs Director for The Crohn’s and Colitis Foundation’s: Camp Oasis NY. Eileen was a competitive swimmer growing up and now holds Red cross WSI and Lifeguard certifications. She prioritizes safety and technique while teaching in the pool while always keeping things fun. In her theatre classes Eileen encourages her students to express themselves in new ways through movement and music and is excited to introduce her students to the musical theatre repertoire she loves so much!

Teacher

Subjects: Piano, Singing

Ally Bellhaven is a piano teacher, composer/lyricist, producer, and storyteller currently based in NYC—  although her southern roots hail from both Atlanta, GA, and Guatemala. She has been teaching for over 6 years both online and in-person, both with a ton of success! As a teacher, Ally’s ethos is to provide a well-rounded music education in multiple genres while prioritizing a strong foundation in music reading, rhythm learning, and ear training. Ally is both graduate of New York University’s Musical Theater Writing Program where she received her masters and Berklee College of Music where she received her bachelor in music with the highest honors. She has over 15 years of music experience with piano, voice, and composition, and is grateful she now shares it with the upcoming generation of music appreciators. When not teaching or writing, you can find Ally wandering the aisles of Trader Joe’s or curled up with a fantasy novel. 

Teacher

Subjects: Musical Theatre, Dance, Chorus

Indya Cherise is an actor, singer, dancer, and educator based in NYC! Originally from Goodyear, Arizona, Indya has always had a passion for the arts. She attended NYU Tisch, as well as the New York Conservatory for musical theatre, and has since had the privilege to perform professionally in theaters all over the country. Indya has a total of eight years of teaching experience, from teaching choreography in her hometown to choral voice in elementary schools in NYC. When she’s not performing, you can find her cooking, reading, or finding a new adventure in the great outdoors!

Teacher

Subjects: Dance (Ballet, Jazz, Tap, Hip Hop, Theater), Singing, Acting, Arts & Crafts, Guitar, Piano

Juliana Conte (also goes by Jules) is a NYC based musical theater performer with a passion for teaching and fostering creative mentorship. She is a Vermont native, where she learned the importance of nature, non-work hobbies, and community. She is a 2020 graduate of Molloy College/Cap21 Conservatory where she earned her BFA in Musical Theater. Jules has been teaching for over 7 years and continues to grow her expertise as a teaching artist and now choreographer. She likes to blend technique and structure with creative play and self expression. When not teaching or performing, she can be found cooking up new recipes or playing instruments.

Teacher/Coach

Subjects: Swimming, Musical Theatre, Singing

Bridget Guardino is a Red Cross–certified swim instructor and lifeguard with 13 years of teaching experience. A college graduate with a degree in Musical Theatre, she brings energy, expertise, and a love of music to every lesson—weaving fun songs (often Disney favorites) into stroke and safety drills to keep swimmers engaged and eager to learn.

Based in NYC for the past seven years, Bridget has helped hundreds of children build confidence in the water, master proper technique, and develop essential safety skills. She creates a nurturing environment for swimmers of all abilities—including those with special needs—ensuring every student feels supported and celebrated.

Teacher

Subjects: Musical Theatre, Acting, Singing

Is a New York Based actor and freelance teaching artist from Cleveland Ohio! David graduated from Baldwin Wallace University in 2019 with a Bachelor of Music in Music Theatre. David started performing around 7th grade. He has been working with kids for the last 7 years in various different theater camps and programs. David’s goal is to help the next generation of artists find their unique creative voice. Recent credits include: Broadway: The Lion King; Nat. Tours: The Color Purple; Regional: Babes in Arms, Mamma Mia!, Hunchback, In the Heights, Hair; Tv/Film: The Good Cop, The Good Fight. David is very excited to work with New York City’s next generation of young artists!

Teacher/Coach/Personal Trainer

Subjects: Swimming, Fitness

With a strong athletic background in competitive swimming, varsity soccer, and dance, Kristiana is a well-rounded athlete who values the benefits of living an active lifestyle. So much so, Kristiana decided to obtain her personal training certification through the National Academy of Sports Medicine (NASM) and become a certified swim instructor (WSI) in order to share her love of fitness with the world. Having dealt with several injuries and ailments throughout her life, Kristiana’s resilience and ability to adapt has allowed her to create workouts that support proper muscle development for everyone. Kristiana aims and succeeds in delivering professionally crafted workouts customized for anybody’s needs and goals while her bubbly personality keeps the experience educational, inspiring, and fun!

Coach

Subjects: Sports, Basketball, Football, Soccer, Multi-sport

Castelli Laflotte is sports coach and trainer for children. Coach Stelli has been coaching children for over 8 years and specializes in basketball coaching. Born and raised in NYC, he grew up playing a multitude of sports ranging from basketball, to football, to tennis. His passion is youth development through sports. He got his start as a coach at the JCC in Manhattan where he became their athletics director and director of sports at Camp Settoga. He then became Coach Supervisor for Amazing Athletes / Super Soccer Stars. He currently runs Momentum Sports NYC, a multi-sport company for children that he started in 2020. It focuses on development on and off the field for children. In any session with Coach Stelli, you'll get conditioning, coordination, skill building and confidence building. MomentumSportsNYC.com

Teacher/Coach/Personal Trainer

Subjects: Swimming, Fitness

Anthony Marte is an established swim coach and personal trainer. His roots start as a lifelong competitive swimmer who trained and competed from grade school through high school and beyond, including with Agua at Asphalt Green, and served as captain of his high school swim team. He has also worked as a swim coach for the nonprofit Waterproofing, a lifeguard with the New York City Parks Department, and an instructor for the American Red Cross. Anthony is also a personal trainer, gymnast, and New York City Department of Education Health Teacher, bringing a well-rounded background in swimming, fitness, safety, and education to his instruction. Anthony prioritizes safety and technique in the pool and with his fitness clients.

Teacher

Subjects: Acting & Audition Prep, Improv, Puppetry & Puppet Making, Arts & Crafts, World Cultures, Theatre Production

Kaley is a professional actor, sketch comedian and educator. In her 10+ years in education she has taught hundreds of students from ages 0-18. Kaley specializes in acting/audition prep, improv, puppetry and puppet making, arts and crafts, world cultures, and theatre production.

Teacher

Subjects: Ukulele

Jake is a writer, composer, and teaching artist with 14 years of experience writing for musical theatre and film, and 6 years of experience in childcare and teaching artistry. He is passionate about developing his creative work alongside his teaching practice. Jake loves sharing his experience and insight with young musicians and writers, helping build both future audiences and future creatives. He teaches ukulele, songwriting, and theatre to ages 4-10 in different schools across Brooklyn and Queens.

Coach

Subjects: Soccer, Multi-sport

Makeda has played semi-professional and organized soccer and futsal in New York City for over 9 years, alongside Division 1 and professional players. Coaching young children has always been her favorite part of the game. She has worked with several children’s soccer programs, most notably Super Soccer Stars on the Upper West Side, where she developed her approach to lessons and keeping kids engaged. Outside of soccer, Makeda is a poet, a charcoal artist, and a licensed, certified speech-language pathologist. She has 10 years of experience working with children with autism spectrum disorder and Down syndrome, and she designs her soccer sessions and creative writing workshops so that every child can take part, regardless of disability. She can’t wait to meet our future soccer stars and their families!

Teacher

Subjects: Arts & Crafts, Theatre

Lauren is a crafter who loves art in all of its various forms. Throughout high school and college, Lauren has worked as a camp counselor for various camps with elementary school aged children. During her time at college, she also has volunteered teaching children art and theater. Lauren loves when kids can teach her as much as she teaches them and encourages creativity.

Teacher

Subjects: Guitar, Ukulele, Musical Theatre, Writing & Playwriting

Sam Sommer is an NYC artist from a family of educators. In addition to his sister and mother being elementary school teachers and his grandmother being a school librarian, Baldwin Wallace ‘21 alum Sommer has an extensive artistic education history. He began teaching Tap Dancing 1 from 2015 to 2017. From 2016 to 2018, he directed & co-choreographed musicals for summer camps at Teal’s Niagara Theatre and Music Studio, including Shrek Jr., Camp Rock, and Rock of Ages. In college, he studied education and spent six months shadowing a middle school English teacher. Students claimed him as “the reason we liked ‘A Wrinkle in Time’.” Now and then, he heads to Buffalo, NY, to teach a writing/playwriting workshop for the Academy of Theatre Arts. As for music, Sommer began playing the acoustic guitar and the ukulele in 2018. Completely self-taught, Sam is now part of a comedic acoustic duo called Sam & Drew that plays in NYC; they have a vertical series in production. A lover of the arts and humanities, Sam Sommer truly cares about sharing the tools of creativity with the world, starting with the kids who desperately need them.

Teacher/Coach

Subjects: Swimming

Jacob Sum hails from the sunny state of Florida and brings that sunshine every time he jumps in the water. With a diverse aquatic background including swim team, water polo, and lifeguarding, Jacob has been teaching for the past twenty years at community centers, private pools, and currently at the JCC of Manhattan. He has taught all ages and levels, from parent/child classes to swim coaching, and elementary schooled beginners to active older adults. When not at the pool, he works at a small business Jersey City based architecture firm, drafting home remodels, renovations, improvements and additions. He is currently an active member of the Team New York Aquatics Water Polo Club and President of his local Book Club. Jacob enjoys line dancing, movies on the big screen, live concerts, and Sunday crosswords in the park. He’s excited to be working with Eileen this season and is looking forward to creating safer and stronger swimmers.

Teacher and Primary Event Planner

Subjects: Visual Arts, Dance, Acting, Singing

Sydnee is a passionate and versatile Teaching Artist with experience bringing the arts to diverse communities and age groups. She teaches visual arts, dance, acting, singing, fitness, and more, while also creating engaging experiences for birthday parties, special events, and more. Her experience working in D75 schools and teaching senior dance and fitness has taught her how to meet each group where they are. With the belief that every class should be tailored to the people in the room, she creates a fun, inclusive, and empowering environment where everyone can express themselves and enjoy the arts.