Born in Chicago and raised in Zurich, Lydia grew up in a bilingual home filled with music, dance and art. After graduating from a specialized music high school, Lydia moved to Vermont to study dance and voice at Bennington College. Lydia moved to NYC in 2012 and has been teaching music and movement in public and private schools grades PreK – 4th grade through Third Street Music School and Turtle Bay Music School. Lydia is excited to broaden the curriculum to include German songs.

Nicola (Nici) grew up in Germany and moved to NYC four years ago. She has always been passionate about working with children and gained most of her experience from teaching dance to children of all ages (3 y/o – 12 y/o) for the past 10 years.

Nici’s academic career has supported her teaching skills during this decade as Nici graduated from a technical high school with emphasis on psychology and pedagogy and from a vocational school for performing arts and dance pedagogy, both in Germany. Nici is currently attending an online Bachelor’s Program, studying Social Work at the IUBH – Internationale Hochschule.

Besides teaching dance, Nici worked at a German Pre – School in Brooklyn, teaching a class of 12 children (ages 2 – 5), which inspired her to emphasize her studies to Early Childhood Education. Having a positive impact on young children is very important to her as well as creating a nurturing environment in which children love to learn and play.

Nici will be teaching Dance at GSM. Dance and movement not only brings a lot of joy, it also teaches us coordination, rhythm, group dynamics and improves our fine and gross motor skills and even our memory, when we learn choreography.

Martina is originally from Graz, Austria, where she studied at the University of Graz and earned her degree in German and History. Following her studies she taught fundamental and advanced German, history, social studies and political education at a Gymnasium (Middle and High School) in Graz. Furthermore, she was responsible for the German placement tests in DaF and DaZ, and was an active member in the school’s bullying prevention team.

Julie received her Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Education from Kent State University and is currently pursuing her Master’s Degree in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL) from Hunter College. Originally from Pennsylvania, Julie moved to NYC in 2018 and has been teaching in the city since. Having undergraduate experience teaching English in The Netherlands and receiving her International Baccalaureate certificate, Julie values inquiry-based learning, children’s natural curiosities, and bilingual education. Julie is extremely excited to teach at GSM where a child-centered and bilingual curriculum helps shape future global citizens.

Aurelia Ott was born and raised in Switzerland and holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Primary Education. Early in her career she was a Lower School teacher in a small Swiss village for 9 years where she also shared her joy of teaching by training future teachers.

Later, she was a teacher at the German International School in White Plains, NY and a substitute teacher at over 25 schools in Zurich.

She is excited to help build the young and thriving German School Manhattan with her professional knowledge and to work closely with the staff and families.

Aurelia feels that successful learning happens through personal connection and individual coaching for each and every child. Her classroom is cheerful and playful, with the right amount of structure and rules to ensure a safe and homey atmosphere for everyone.

As a born & raised New Yorker, Sydney holds a unique perspective on what it means to live in a city that has such rich history. She holds a B.A in Sociology from SUNY Purchase and earned her M.S degree in Early Childhood Education from Hunter College in 2020. Throughout her studies, Sydney has taught young children from all walks of life and makes it her mission to incorporate diversity & inclusion into her daily pedagogical practice. Sydney values the importance of every child’s feelings, experiences, and culture. She makes it her mission to foster a classroom that is full of independent, empathetic, and curious learners.

Having moved to NYC only in 2019, Lara is a “freshly-baked New Yorker.” She holds a B.A. and a Masters of Education from Cologne University (German and English literary studies and Special Education) and she has taught at elementary and secondary schools in Germany and also at the German School Nairobi. Her teaching experience includes teaching social and behavioral skills to underprivileged children, children of refugees and students with learning difficulties. Lara trusts that every child is a capable learner. She strives to foster individual and independent learning to empower and enable students to make socially responsible and conscious decisions.

I was born in the United States and raised in Austria. Going to a Steiner School fostered my interest in many fields such as craft, communication and music. After finishing my apprenticeship in carpentry I started studying Medicine and Math in Graz and Vienna before I chose Music and Dance Education at the University Mozarteum in Salzburg. There I finished my Masters in Early Childhood Music Education and focused my final thesis on how to teach a second language with the help of music & movement. I put this into practice teaching English in a preschool in Barcelona for 2 years, using my own language-teaching program.

In New York I’ve worked as a performer, music and German teacher (in preschool, music school and giving private lessons).

I’m classically trained in piano, violin and percussion and love to make music in my free time. I also love being outdoors doing sports such as sailing/surfing, skiing or rock climbing.

Max also offer private instrument lessons.