Welcome to the Playroom at Martial Arts Family Studio!
We are a one of a kind family community based in downtown Manhattan.
WHO WE ARE & WHAT WE DO
Sophie Rapiejko
Puppeteer, Performer,
Childcare Enthusiast
Sophie is a New York City based actress/singer that uses music, puppetry, and imaginative storytelling to encourage the development of communication skills and emotional intelligence. Building on her years of nannying and childcare experience, Sophie sought to create a fun and unique way to support the children in her care to build their self-confidence and awareness. Sophie and her puppet pals will always make you laugh and want to sing along as they tell relatable tales of unexpected bravery, unconditional kindness, and dealing with difficult situations— all through song!
ABOUT ALEX
Alex Zografos
Musician, Dancer, Childcare Enthusiast
Alex is a NYC based performer with a passion for arts education. She has a BFA in musical theatre and has studied many different styles of music, acting, and dance. Alex loves spreading joy through music and hopes to continue teaching and encouraging kids here at MAFS. Alex has spent years caring for, inspiring, and entertaining children as a nanny, a dance teacher, and a theatre performer. She loves sharing her joy for life and her appreciation for music with babies, children, and even grown ups too! Join Alex in our Pre-Ballet class and baby music classes!
ABOUT KENNY
Kenny Goubran
Dancer, Gymnast, Performer
Childcare Enthusiast
Kenny is a New York native that has been dancing, singing, acting, for many years. He is a professional hip hop & bboy dancer with a passion for sharing the joy of movement with kids, babies, and toddlers alike. Kenny loves working with little ones as he finds that working with young minds fuels his creativity in his own artistry. Bringing joy to our community here at MAFS is his main goal as a teacher. Join Kenny in our all level hip hop classes, our baby classes, or our Musical Theatre Classes this spring!
Sandra Herrera
Founder, Owner, Mother of 2
When Sandra moved to New York in 2011 with her husband and toddler son, she looked everywhere to find a program that allows her to keep training in kickboxing and provide a gentle first separation experience with nurturing enrichment to her son. She found none. After having her second child and spent three years of trying to organize martial arts classes for her children, her husband, and herself across multiple studios and programs, Sandra decided that there needed to be a centralized solution to offer martial arts and fitness to busy NYC families. Sandra truly believes Mothers are the essence of family, so she decided to create a program as well that approaches mothers in a holistic way providing a nurturing environment for both mother and baby to experience together. After speaking with her long time friend and babysitter and other martial arts mothers, Babies at Martial Arts Family Studio was born.
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Using her wide experience designing and leading community projects with children under 3 years old with nonprofits both in Spain and USA, her background in Corporate Human Resources and her early childhood development education along with years of training in boxing, Sandra worked with other mothers and childcare professionals to design a martial arts studio to address the needs of the family as a whole with a safe and nurturing playroom for the little ones. Babies at Martial Arts Family Studio seeks to offer a wellness solution with an emphasis on enrichment and gentle separation for babies and toddlers providing a space where mothers can rebirth the best versions of themselves as powerful women integrating their new founded challenge of being a mom, connecting with other moms and finding a tribe.
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Sandra was honored by Marquis Who's Who for her excellent leadership at MAFS! Click here to read more!