DUMBO Gymnastics is committed to providing individualized gymnastics instruction of the highest quality in a safe and fun environment. We encourage each participant to aim for his or her personal best while developing the strength, fitness, and flexibility that is the foundation for more advanced gymnastics skills and also for strong performance in other sports. In addition to these physical benefits, we introduce our youngest students to important social and cognitive skills such as taking turns, interacting with peers, patience, listening and following directions, focusing on a short task or activity, and respecting others, skills that we believe ease the transition into school settings. Older students learn teamwork, determination and perseverance as they work to master more difficult and complex movements. All students gain poise and confidence as they successfully perform new movements and skills.

Elizabeth Bellis Wolfe is a safety-certified Professional Member of USA Gymnastics, the entity designated as the national governing body for the sport of gymnastics in the United States by the U.S. Olympic Committee and the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG). She competed in state and regional gymnastics competitions up to Level 9, representing Region VII. Elizabeth has been coaching gymnastics since the late 1990s and has seven years of experience coaching preschool, recreational and competitive gymnastics at the Gymnastic Academy of Boston in Cambridge, MA, the Jewish Community Center in Chicago, IL and Arlington Aerials Gymnastics in Arlington, VA. In Massachusetts, she also judged USA Gymnastics-sanctioned women’s gymnastics competitions up to competitive Level 6.

Ashley Stewart has been involved in gymnastics for over 20 years. She competed at the 2004 USAG Level 10 Junior Olympic National Championships, and was a member and co-captain of the Cornell University Gymnastics Team while earning her B.S. in Biological Sciences and Entomology. She has been a gymnastics instructor at Exper-Tiess Gymnastics, Cornell University, and Finger Lakes Gymnastics Academy, and is currently enrolled in the Combined Degree Program in Nursing at Pace University. Ashley is CPR/AED certified by the American Red Cross.

Josef Bolton has four years of experience teaching gymnastics to 2-7 year olds, previously at Powerplay Recreational Center in Brooklyn and Sutton Fitness Center in Manhattan, and six years of experience as a birthday party specialist. Josef has been certified in Standard First Aid and CPR/AED by the American Red Cross and has been USA Gymnastics safety certified. He holds a B.A. from Baruch College, City University of New York.

Janine Acquafredda began her gymnastics training at age 3. She competed in state and regional gymnastics competitions up to Level 2 (USGF) and still trains to this day. She hopes to return to competitive gymnastics in 2012 as part of AAU’s Adult Women’s program. Janine recently began coaching gymnastics as a way of keeping the sport in her life and is already producing champions. She was part of the staff that coached the 2011 AAU first place Connecticut state team, which went on to place 2nd in the region. Janine is First Aid and CPR/AED certified by the American Red Cross and is USA Gymnastics safety certified. She holds a BA in Media Studies and Communications from Queens College, City University of New York.

DUMBO Dance is run by Ashley Tuttle. Ashley Tuttle joined American Ballet Theatre at the age of 16. Her career spanned 17 years with Ballet Theater reaching the rank of Principal dancer. While maintaining her career with A.B.T., Ms. Tuttle joined the acclaimed Twlya Tharp Dance Company. During her time with T.T.D., Ms. Tharp created the hit Broadway show, Movin’ Out, and the role of Judy on Ms. Tuttle. She earned both TONY Award and Fred Astaire Dance Award nominations. She was most recently seen in Ms. Tharp’s most recent hit Broadway show, Come Fly Away. Ms. Tuttle continues to be a guest artist dancng throughtout the world.

Yeifri (“Jeffrey”) Ramirez has been involved with the sport of gymnastics since the age of 6. Born In the Dominican Republic and raised in Brooklyn, Jeffrey was a former competitive gymnast in the USA Gymnastics (“USAG”) junior olympic program until his early teens, when he had reached Level 9. As an older teen, Jeffrey pursued the sport of All Star cheerleading, winning titles all over the U.S. with top gyms such as Just Cheer All-stars, Cheer Jamz all-stars, and Star Athletics all stars and making a stop at the cheerleading world championships in Orlando, Florida. Jeffrey has dedicated his career to coaching and choreographing gymnastics and cheer all over New York City. He is a USAG profesional member and safety certified in gymnastics and USASF All-star cheer.
Read Jeffrey’s story in International Gymnast magazine!

Nicole Nyhan has competed in state and regional gymnastics competitions up to level 8, representing Region V. She has studied modern, ballet, pointe, jazz and hip-hop dance techniques, and has performed in Chicago as a member of 1511, a youth dance company led by Joel Hall. She has five years of experience teaching dance, team sports and acrobatics. She holds a B.A. from Bard College.