Meet our Child & Caregiver Teachers
Kyanna Andrews is the owner and operator of Ms. Ky’s Playgroup. She was born and raised in Washington, DC, and has nearly 20 years of experience working with children: as a volunteer cheer and tumbling coach for DC Parks and Recreation, as a managing instructor and curriculum creator for a children’s gymnastics company, as a nanny, as a mom, and now finally achieving her dream of running her own company. Founded in 2022, Ms. Ky’s Playgroup offers dance, yoga and story time and has already attracted a very enthusiastic fan base at the EDCJCC and beyond.
Originally from Haiti, Kéthia Clairvoyant grew up in Boca Raton, FL, and ventured to DC to attend Georgetown University. She began teaching children in after-school programs and workshops in 2012 and has taught Yoga for Tots and Baby and Grownup Yoga at the EDCJCC since 2019. She has also taught at numerous Montessori and public charter schools, primarily in DC, but also in Maryland and Virginia. Kéthia works with students of all ages on a foundational yoga practice to instill a mind-body-spirit connection that can be transferred to all areas of their lives. She encourages everyone to become the best that he or she can be — mentally, emotionally, and physically.
Ms. Nina is a native Washingtonian who grew up visiting museums and taking classes at the Corcoran and Glen Echo park. Before starting at the EDCJCC in 2019, she stayed home to raise two boys (now ages 10 and 7), reading, singing, creating and exploring alongside them. Nina graduated from Dickinson College in 2003 with a BA in Art & Art History and later completed a masters program at the Corcoran in the history of decorative arts. She loves creating early childhood classroom communities and watching her students gain skills and confidence. At the EDCJCC, she teaches Preschool Playgroup, Getting Ready for Preschool, and Art for Tots.
Michelle Hessel has been teaching Makin’ Music with Ms. Michelle at the EDCJCC for over 10 years and early childhood music in the DC area for almost 20 years. She is also the music specialist at multiple preschools around the DC/MD area. Ms. Michelle uses her background in musical theatre and specifically children’s theatre to create an engaging, high energy, interactive curriculum that keeps both child and caregiver involved and entertained. She has a degree in musical theatre and performs both with professional and community companies all over the DC area. She is also a Realtor with The Dana Global Advantage Team of Keller Williams Capital Properties, an award winning Real Estate team. In her spare time, Michelle enjoys baking bread, traveling, and spending time on her sailboat in the Chesapeake Bay with her husband.
Ari Jacobson has has been playing for children at the EDCJCC since 2015, as the Preschool music specialist as well as the beloved Mr. Ari of Music Time with Ari in our Child and Caregiver Class program. A professional musician for over twenty years, Ari has worked as a song leader, camp counselor, Jewish music specialist, birthday party entertainer, cruise ship soloist, elder care entertainer and more, entertaining music lovers of all ages with his wide repertoire and infectious enthusiasm. Also an actor and singer/songwriter, you can learn more about Ari’s work for children and adults at www.arijacobson.com, and see videos of favorite children’s tunes both Jewish and secular on his YouTube page at bit.ly/arimusic!