Meet Our Teachers and Vendors

Tennis with Frank Adinolfe (grades K - 5th)

Our teacher is a former college player (Rutgers Newark HOF) & tennis pro for 20 years.

Learn fundamentals of tennis (e.g. proper grip, forehand, backhand, and volleys), and improve hand/eye coordination and agility. Students will participate in fun drills, challenges, and games to develop and improve their tennis skills.

It's Magic! with Mr. Adinolfe (grades 4th - 8th)

Amaze your friends and family! Learn how to perform magic tricks and practice performing them in each class. 

Mr. Adinolfe will perform 1 or 2 magic tricks each class. The students will learn the secrets of the tricks and then practice in groups. Without even thinking about it, students will learn a performance art, and improve their presentation skills. 

Cooking with Bambino Chef (grades PreK4 - 8th)

Our cooking class combines culinary adventures, learning activities and unlimited amounts of fun in one pot. Our secret ingredients are: cooking, exploring, learning, laughing and sharing. Learning how to cook is a great way for children to develop social and comprehensive skills, adopt healthy habits for life and indulge their creativity. Budding chefs will sharpen their concentration and leadership skills, build self-confidence and enhance their biggest and toothiest smiles. 

Learn more at www.bambinochef.com  

Art with Mr. Nogueira (grades PreK4 - 3rd)

Cordero’s talented and well-loved art teacher will have students experiment with different art mediums, portraits and drawing perspective. 

Simple Sweets with Mrs. Capollari (grades PreK4 - 1st)

Ms. Capollari has 12 years of experience teaching pre-k to 2nd grade, most of her years being in pre-k and kindergarten.  She is offering a Simple Sweets Class geared toward pre-k4 and kindergarten students in which children will make delicious treats without having to bake!

Literacy Crafts with Mrs. Capollari (grades PreK4 - K)

Ms. Capollari has 12 years of experience teaching pre-k to 2nd grade, most of her years being in pre-k and kindergarten.  She is offering a Literacy Crafts class geared toward pre-k4 and kindergarten students in which children will enjoy a book and then make a craft inspired by that book.

Bollywood Dance with Megha’s Dance Academy (grades K - 2nd)

Megha’s Dance Academy is based in Jersey city and has been offering Bollywood and Bharatnatyam dance classes for over 10 years and has taught more the 1,000 students. 

At MDA we believe if a child is introduced to dance at an early age it will develop a love for the art and a passion for rhythm and movement. It endures flexibility and develops strong muscles and technique. It is a wonderful activity for kids, capable of fostering a positive self-image in both girls and boys. Dance lessons can teach a child self-confidence, self-discipline, poise, and grace. Most importantly, dancing is a lot of fun!!!

Speranza Theatre classes (grades PreK4 - 5th)

Speranza has been offering quality educational programming since 2012 including summer camps, after-school programming, in-school assemblies, virtual assemblies, and private classes/workshops. Our first private summer theatre program was held in 2012 and we began partnering with schools for summer camp in 2018

Elements of Theatre-How Does the Show Go On? (grades 1st - 2nd)

Students will be introduced to the many elements of theatre and theatrical storytelling. Each class will introduce a different method of storytelling (puppetry, mask work, character creation, story creation) and/or a different element of theater production (design, producing). Theater games, crafts, basic drama vocabulary, and real life examples will give students an understanding of what it takes to put on a successful show as we work towards a culminating presentation utilizing our new skills!

Acting (grades 3rd - 5th)

This class will focus on techniques for acting,including vocal work, physical work, and character development. Students can expect towork on monologues and play plenty of theatre games.

Learn more at https://www.speranzatheatre.com/

Chess by Alpha Minds (grades K - 5th)

Our Chess for Beginners course offers an engaging and interactive introduction to the world of chess for kids. Through storytelling, games, and interactive activities, students will explore the basic history of chess, learn piece names, movement, and capture, understand good trades vs. bad trades, and grasp concepts like check, checkmate, stalemate, and castling. They will also be introduced to beginner-level openings and key principles of the game while developing essential skills such as patience, persistence, logic, and reasoning. Taught in an interactive and playful format, the classes combine board demonstrations with practical interaction, allowing young learners to have a fun and enriching chess experience.

Please see the more detailed description of these different levels on our website http://www.alphamindsacademy.com/

Music with Elite Musicians (grades PreK4 - K)

Exploring the basics of different instruments (such as piano, guitar, voice, ukulele, and cajon) while instilling movement, rhythm, and creative dance through musical exercises, created to build expressive minds and everyday motor skills. 

Learn more about Elite Musicians at https://www.elitemusicians.com/

LEGO Engineering with Bricks 4 Kidz (grades PreK4 - 3rd)

Our afterschool program provides Lego Engineering classes that explore architecture, engineering and technology. The class provides a fun, hands-on learning and building experience focused on STEM concepts.  

Visit us at https://www.bricks4kidz.com/

Introduction to Piano/Keyboarding with The Jersey City Music Foundry (grades 4th - 8th)

We offer a well-rounded musical experience to students of all ages. We focus on instruction based in creativity and learning to read music, as well as mindfulness and composing.

Embark on a musical journey with our Group Keyboarding course, focusing on the fundamentals of piano playing, from orientating on the keyboard to grasping music theory basics and honing piano techniques. Dive into the art of sight reading, engage in group piano works, piano ensemble pieces, and explore solo piano compositions. Students participating in the program have the opportunity to select a piece of music that personally inspires them, while our expert guidance ensures they also explore works that enhance their skills and bring musical satisfaction. These selected pieces provide transferable skills that can enrich their experiences in choir and music production. Our program facilitates both group and independent practice sessions, creating a supportive learning environment. This program could potentially lay the foundation for future initiatives, such as building a comprehensive community orchestra and ensembles in Jersey City. Join us in taking the first steps toward musical exploration and community connection.

Learn more at https://jcmusicfoundry.com/

Global Soccer Academy (grades PreK4 - 8th)

Our goal at Global Soccer Academy is to provide a safe and fun environment for our students to learn and enjoy the beautiful sport we love - Soccer. The emphasis throughout the program is on continuous player development, enjoyment, and fostering a love for the game. Our priority is always to ensure safe and positive learning environment for our students. Below is an outline of what a class at GSA will look like. We detail our method and approach, highlighting key aspects of our training philosophy.

1. Activation: SAQ (Speed, Agility & Quickness) Training

Objective: Wake up the body, elevate heart rate, and prepare mentally and physically for the session ahead.

2. Fundamental Fun Games

Objective: Develop essential soccer skills while ensuring players are engaged and having fun.

3. Game Play Scenarios

Objective: Introduce and practice game situations to develop decision-making, spatial

4. Ball-Always Philosophy

Objective: Maximize ball contact time, reinforce skills, and develop a natural feel and control of the ball.

5. Cool Downs

Objective: Assist in recovery and build long lasting habits

Fluid Art with CitySwipes (grades 5th - 8th)

Immerse yourself in a world color while learning the techniques of today’s leading fluid artists.  Fluid art is where science meets color.  We will explore different recipes  and methods to create beautiful pieces of art for you! Expect to create art pieces with canvas, tiles and coasters, small fluid bears, sustainable jewelry made from dried leftover paints, tote bags and more. All while enjoying the colors and learning about the science of fluid art!

MindfulMe with Mindfulness JC (grades 1st - 3rd)

TIa from MIndfulness JC has been teaching in Jersey City for over 14 years as an AMS Certified Montessori Teacher, and currently works as a Director of Social and Emotional Wellness at the Scandi School. Her son is a Senior in HS and they have three furry cats at home. In our class we will use a variety of Mindfulness tools such as: 

• breath exercises

• yoga

• meditation

• visualization

• tapping

• art

• mindful movement

• games

We practice staying in the present moment in a nurturing, small group environment. Please follow Tia on IG @mindfulmejc. She looks forward to meeting you all! 

JR Makeup class with Ms. Rodriguez (grades 6th - 8th)

COMING SOON!

Creative Writing with Ms. Rodriguez  (grades 5th - 8th) 

COMING SOON!