Dan Costello and Rachel Costello wearing Yo Re Mi shirts, looking at each other

The Story of Yo Re Mi

Rachel Costello and Dan Costello created Yo Re Mi while teaching after-school classes in NYC. Dan was a music teacher incorporating a lot of dance and physical movement. Meanwhile, Rachel was singing through her entire kids yoga class.

One day, they combined their classes, wrote some originals songs for their yoga sequences and Yo Re Mi was born. Children were instantly engaged by the new material and loved sharing their own ideas for adventures that would take them to outer space, the jungle, other countries or their own backyard.

Dan and Rachel continued writing and developing, and now there are hundreds of Yo Re Mi songs, videos, and lesson plans which are customized to the needs of individual classrooms. From a small after-school class, Yo Re Mi has grown to serving dozens of schools.

Yo Re Mi offers school-day, after-school and summer programs for children in NYC, as well as Denver, LA, New Jersey, Upstate New York and Vermont. Zoom classes are available, and videos and songs are streaming everywhere via the Yo Re Mi App. Yo Re Mi also provides professional development workshops for teachers, and a 30-hour online children’s yoga teacher training.


 

The Yo Re Mi Team

Yo Re Mi teachers are professional musicians and certified yoga instructors with extensive experience in early childhood education. 


Our Founders

 
Rachel Costello

Rachel Costello,

Executive Director (she/her)

Rachel Costello is a certified Yoga Therapist and a Yoga Alliance registered teacher (ERYT500, RCYT, RPYT, YACEP) specializing in hatha, vinyasa, prenatal, postpartum, as well as yoga for labor and delivery. She’s also a professional touring musician. Through Yo Re Mi, Rachel brings musical yoga enrichment to children all over NYC. As a mom of two young children, she sees the benefit of Yo Re Mi’s creative mindfulness practices in her own family.

Rachel provides professional development for adults that want to share yoga with children, pre-teens, teens and special needs youth. Rachel has been teaching both adults and children since 2005 and believes yoga is a perfect way to harness our innate energy to increase self-awareness, confidence, health, positivity and balance, while having FUN!

Dan Costello

Dan Costello,

Creative Director (he/him)

Dan Costello is a professional musician, storyteller, actor, music educator and certified Children's Yoga Instructor (KAY) specializing in early and elementary education. As a music teacher for ten years, deeply rooted in play-based and emergent methods, Dan develops music education curriculum which combines movement-based activities, joyful sing-alongs and songwriting. He leads workshops on mindful language and how to support a creative learning environment.

Dan plays piano, guitar, clarinet, drums, ukulele, and just about anything he can find. He has written hundreds of songs, many available on streaming services or in concert. His favorite songs are the ones we sing together! His proudest recent achievement is being a Dad who can get dinner on the table before bedtime.


Operations Team

 
Kaitie Hess

Kaitie Hess,

Operations Coordinator (she/her)

Kaitie comes to Yo Re Mi with 8 years of education experience centering on enrichment, civic engagement, and student-led learning. She is passionate about using fun experiences to help youth develop as confident leaders. Kaitie spends her days with her dog, Carmel. She also loves to hike, read, and try new foods. Her favorite author is bell hooks.

Maritzabel Ruiz

Maritzabel Ruiz,

Director of Operations (she/her)

Maritzabel Ruiz is proud to be leading the operations of Yo Re Mi from her home base of California. Currently a student of Neuropsychology and the mom of a toddler, Maritzabel comes to Yo Re Mi after more than 15 years as a proven leader across a range of industries. She prides herself in bringing out the best in people, and believes that Yo Re Mi’s approach to mindfulness and non-judgment in the classroom is essential to nurturing young minds.


Teaching Artists

 

Paige (Hawk) Acevedo, Teaching Artist (she/they)

Hawk is a multidimensional artist & entrepreneur, skilled in music, yoga, and early childhood development. They are a trained actor, singer, music director, photographer, writer & director.

She is the founder of Hawk & Ace band, a live music entertainment collective. From 2014–2019 she served as Artistic Director to a youth community theater program in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. In 2019, she co-led the Performing Arts Legacy Project at HB Studio, an initiative hosted by the Actor’s Fund & Research Center for Arts and Culture, aiming to support seasoned professional artists document their legacies.

In addition to their stage & film work, Hawk serves as a Teaching Artist for drama & photography in NYC, specializing in newborn photography. She is also a certified ABA therapist.

Kaylyn Alexander

Kaylyn Alexander,

Teaching Artist (she/her)

Kaylyn is a Yo Re Mi teaching artist and recreational therapist in New York City. She is passionate about sharing wellness education and mindfulness with youth. Every class is an adventure infused with playful movement, musical learning, and mindfulness techniques. Her goal is to help students reach success in the classroom, balance their energy, and find a calm and happy headspace. Outside of teaching, you can find Kaylyn taking long hikes or swimming at the beach. She also loves playing with her cat, Leonardo. She completed her 200-hour yoga teacher training in 2015 and is certified in kids and trauma-informed yoga. 

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Lauren Kelly Benson, Founding Teaching Artist (they/themme)

Lauren Kelly Benson is a 500-hour Yoga Alliance registered yoga teacher who has taught with Yo Re Mi since the beginning. They received their 200-hour yoga teaching certification in Vinyasa flow from Sacred Brooklyn in 2013. They then deepened their study and education through a 300-hour intensive specialty training with Rainbow Kids Yoga in 2015. Teaching all ages from baby through high school, Lauren Kelly has volunteered teaching yoga to incarcerated youth on Riker’s Island, facilitates a Mommy and Me yoga group, offers one-on-one private sessions, develops a wholly integrative yoga curriculum in schools, and teaches at various studios. In their free time, Lauren Kelly is a singer/songwriter, activist, teaching artist, and founder of Aditi Flow and Creative Wellness. Bringing yoga, meditation, and music education to black and brown youth and schools, activists, and artists, Aditi Flow is designed to expand access to the healing modalities that Lauren Kelly loves.

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Luna Britt,

Teaching Artist (she/her)

Luna is an early childhood educator, musician, dog-parent, sculptor, and photographer with a passion for building creativity-centered spaces. Residing in Brooklyn, Luna spends her time day-dreaming, reading, and playing fetch with her puppy, Rosie, in Prospect Park. Luna is currently working as a preschool teacher.

LaChrisha Brown,

Teaching Artist (she/her)

LaChrisha Brown has taught children’s yoga for over 6 years. Certified with FLY Yoga and YoReMi, she has taught throughout the boroughs extensively at The School of Columbia, Honey Tree Forest School and Partnership with Children. Fun Fact: LaChrisha has her MFA in theater performance, and she loves to sing harmony!

Noah Casner,

Teaching Artist (he/him)

Noah Casner is an actor, singer, and performer who holds a BFA in Drama from NYU Tisch, where he spent multiple semesters learning physically based storytelling. He has spent the last 9 years at Saratoga Children's Theatre, working with children ages 4-18 to express themselves through music and movement. When he's not with children, you might find him doing a crossword puzzle, drinking an iced coffee, learning a new skill, or any combination of the three.

 

Alexia Christopher,

Teaching Artist (she/her)

Alexia is a certified 200 hr yoga teacher as well as a certified children yoga instructor. She is a passionate about making mindfulness and wellness fun and creative. Teaching dance and Zumba are other fun ways that she likes to bring movement into the mix.

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Ayla McCarthy Combes, Teaching Artist (they/them)

Ayla McCarthy Combes is a yoga teacher (200 HR RYT, Yoga to the People). Beyond their ever-evolving love and study of yogic philosophy (stemming from their own childhood love of movement), their interests cover a wide array of mediums including (but not limited to!) performance art, singing, experimental music, zine-making, poetry, energetic healing, tarot reading, working with clay, video and sound art, and indoor gardening. ​

Ayla seeks to cultivate spaces that foster a deepening of self-awareness, creative intelligence, and empathy for people of all ages and backgrounds & looks forward to learning and growing alongside their Yo Re Mi students through adventures in the classroom.

Hannah Marie Fonder,

Teaching Artist (she/they)

Hannah Marie Fonder, St. Edward’s University alumni, graduated Magna Cum Laude with a degree in Psychology and Performance. Fonder has performed as an Equity Actress and taught classes with Kaiser’s Room since Spring of 2017. She is certified 500hr YTA in Hatha, Vinyasa, and Kids Yoga. Recently, she started a certification for Sound Bath Healing. Fonder believes that art heals, and is excited to share this philosophy and work with the kiddos. She firmly believes that every child deserves brave space to explore their feelings and open in during their developmental years. Fonder is excited to help children reach their yoga dreams and goals one week at a time.

Chelsea Hanawalt,

Teaching Artist (she/her)

Chelsea is an applied theatre practitioner and early childhood educator in New York City. She is originally from a small town on the coast of California, so she will always be a sunny beach girl at heart! Chelsea is one of the founders of The Journey Theatre Project who uses applied theatre with communities on social justice and anti racism work. Chelsea has over 10 years of experience teaching students ages 2-5 and has worked with pre-k, elementary and middle school age groups throughout the city. She has a 25-hour children’s yoga teaching training from Hosh Yoga and a 30 hour children’s yoga training with Yo Re Mi. Chelsea received her MA in Applied Theatre at CUNY SPS. Chelsea enjoys sharing her love of nature, yoga, mindfulness and breath work with her students. She plays the guitar and ukulele and loves to sing! CheIsea strives to provide fun and interactive lessons to instill a lifetime love of learning with the communities she works with.

Leanna Grennan,

Teaching Artist (she/her)

Leanna is a 200 hr RYT, and has been teaching yoga and creative movement in NYC public schools since 2016. She is currently enrolled at Sarah Lawrence College, studying to receive her masters in dance/movement therapy. She has additional somatic practices in feldenkrais, EFT tapping, and qi gong. Leanna aims to foster an encouraging environment for self exploration, body autonomy, and community. Outside of teaching, Leanna is a freelance artist and performer. She resides in Queens, NY with her mischievous and loving tuxedo cat Meesta.

Sara Haider,

Teaching Artist (she/her)

Sara is a Disney princess/teaching artist with a Master's from Juilliard! 🎭 Picture this: joyful movement, silly clown, and sooo much singing- I'm all about making learning an adventure. Beyond the classroom, I dive into acting on TV, performing in Broadway musicals, and teaching acting workshops to adults! Let's bring breath, laughter, and a sprinkle of magic into the classroom - together!

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Zac Hills-Bonczyk,

Teaching Artist (he/him)

Best known as a rapper, founder, and front-person in Brooklyn-based NOLA-funk/hip-hop band Big Village Little City, Forefeather Zac Hills-Bonczyk is a musical entertainer, presenter, event host, ecstatic dance guide, yoga teacher, yoga DJ, podcaster, and unapologetic bliss enthusiast.

The youngest in a family of four Kripalu-certified yoga teachers and a student of hip-hop since childhood, Zac believes the key to a fulfilling life is unrestrained immersion in the present moment, whether through music, yoga, dance, or otherwise.

Featured on the Wanderlust Summer Tour of 2017 to offer a series of unique workshops that fused beatboxing with yogic breathing techniques, he has been working to bridge gaps between ancient and contemporary practices since 2011.

Wahnita King,

Teaching Artist (she/her)

Wahnita, the founder of Elephant Jungle Inc. has been teaching yoga, and fitness for over 10 years! Certified in Yoga, Autism Fitness, Reiki, and Medical Intuition. Wahnita has worked with all body types, and abilities, from all over the world.

Every session aims to improve health, wellbeing, encourage stimulate and strengthen self regulatory skills, hand eye coordination and confidence, through wellness.

Raya Malcolm,

Teaching Artist (they/them)

Raya is a theatre maker, musician, and yoga practitioner living and working in Upstate, NY. She has 15+ years of nannying and babysitting experience and a lifetime of being a big sister & oldest cousin. Having practiced yoga and meditation for 10 years, Raya has cultivated a solid foundation of mindful practices to help her be her most authentic self. When Raya isn't yoga-ing about or being kooky with kids, she sings in a folk acoustic band, keeps a number of houseplants, and may or may not be learning to roller skate.

Ni Marqueti,

Teaching Artist & Videographer (they/them)

Ni is a Brazilian multidisciplinary artist living in Brooklyn, New York. As a born poet and philosopher, they have always been enthusiastic about understanding nature and human relationships, and how art and movement can transform people, spaces, and build bridges for learning and healing.

A certified Yo Re Mi Teaching Artist who loves creating tunes on their ukulele, Ni has more than ten years of experience working in theater, storytelling, education, and entertainment for children. They also work as a video editor and production assistant, making Yo Re Mi videos and musical yoga adventures, with their current favorite adventure being Galápagos and Space!

Ni believes in Yo Re Mi’s inspiring mission and is thrilled to be working with such an amazing group of artists and teachers.

Tracy McDowell,

Teaching Artist (they/them)

Tracy, is a postmodern polymath with a passion for teaching, a decade of yoga practice, and a 200-hour Yoga Teacher Training certification. Tracy aims to master and share the art of zen, balance, and fun. As a former Integrative Art Teacher, they've got the moves – both artistic and on the yoga mat – to keep creativity flowing. Previously, Tracy designed innovative movement and music-based curricula, fostering creativity and self-expression in young minds. Their childhood training in opera and specialization in teaching piano to differently-abled students, particularly those on the autism spectrum and with dyslexia, exemplifies their dedication to inclusive arts and wellness education for everyone. In addition to Yo Re Mi, Tracy is a certified Digital Wellness Educator and consultant and leads talks about balanced technology use with the Digital Wellness Insitute and @digitalfengshui. Beyond their yogic and feng shui pursuits, Tracy enjoys cultivating their urban garden with their partner in Bushwick, delights in wave jumping, and showcases their creativity daily by crafting fun and sensory-friendly outfits. Tracy aims to blend art, education, wellness, and personal growth with fun, puns, and ease.

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Megan Miles,

Teaching Artist (she/her)

Megan is a 200 HR RYT Certified Yoga Instructor. Currently, she teaches vinyasa yoga classes to adults, as well as kids yoga classes. Megan has 10 years of improvisation experience, and has studied improv and sketch comedy at Upright Citizens Brigade in New York. In addition, she has six years of musical improv experience and loves to freestyle rap. In fact, she has competed in four freestyle rap battles. She loves using her imagination with children to create a world of wonder. Megan is very excited to join the Yo Re Mi Team!

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Dale Novella,

Teaching Artist

(she/her)

A 200 Hr Registered Yoga Teacher and Teaching Artist with Community Word Project, The Dreamyard Project and Building Beats, Dale Novella uses her gifts and skills as a musician, singer and yogi to help people find peace, express and connect with themselves and the world around them. Whether through song, meditation, or movement Dale Novella’s goal is to bring the world together in rhythm, one beat at a time.  Dale has traveled the US and the world as a singer/songwriter and poet.  She hails from the South Carolina Lowcountry but is currently based in Brooklyn, NY. 

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John O’Mahoney,

Teaching Artist (he/him)

John's yoga practice started over 20 years ago while earning his Bachelor of Fine Arts from Syracuse University. He is a certified fitness and wellness educator as well as a Licensed Massage Therapist practicing for 13 years. In 2016, John began teaching yoga and dance for a local non-profit after-school program at a primary school in Bushwick, Brooklyn.

A father of three, John has a young daughter with significant physical challenges and has seen her and the special needs students he teaches benefit greatly from yoga-based activities. John is truly inspired by Yo Re Mi's mission to spread music, movement, mindfulness and imagination across the world!

Adaobi Opene,

Teaching Artist (she/her)

Hi friends!! Adaobi is certified to teach kids yoga and is a 200 hour certified yoga teacher. Adaobi has 10 years of experience encouraging children to learn and grow. She loves the combination of music and mindfulness 🧘🏾‍♀️ 🎶 Adaobi can’t wait to see you and your kids in class this year!

Coco Peila,

Teaching Artist (she/her)

Coco Peila is an MC, songwriter, and vocalist who developed her musical craft alongside working in mindfulness, artistic activism, and anti-oppression facilitation as a teaching artist, cultural organizer, and strategist. She fell in love with Yoga at 16 and has been offering her unique gift basket of Hip Hop music, mindfulness, creativity, and movement to young people of all ages for the past two decades. Coco has shared her magic with young ones in homes, schools, classrooms, and communities across the country and on stages with artists and leaders like Talib Kweli, The Pharcyde, Zion-I, Slum Village, J R.O.C.C., and President Obama amongst others. Her work and collaborations have been featured by The Kennedy Center, Stanford, Yale, The New Yorker, the Museum of African Diaspora, and BUST Mag. She believes that facilitating the joy, creativity, development, and imagination of young people is one of life's greatest honors.

Angelina Valente,

Teaching Artist (she/her)

Angelina is a singer-songwriter out of Upstate New York. After graduating with a degree in Musical Theatre from Rider University, she came to the Capitol Region and began pursuing a career as a singer-songwriter. Along the way, she has taught voice lessons to students aged 5 to 50 and over. Angelina has always had some form of movement in her life, whether it be yoga or dance, and has always believed music and movement are better when put together. She has released one full-length album, two EPs, and four singles, recorded at the esteemed Village Studios in L.A., as well as the Atlantic Records Studio in New York. She was also the 2023 champion of Nippertown’s March Madness, a local music voting-based competition in Upstate New York. You can find Angelina out on a hiking trail, enjoying a great fantasy novel, or drinking a (usually decaf) latte.

Elizabeth Scariza,

Teaching Artist (she/her)

Elizabeth has been teaching children’s Yoga for four years in person and virtually at both schools and private yoga studios. She is certified through Kidding Around Yoga, NYC and Yo Re Mi, NYC. Through songs, movements, games, postures, and breathing, children have fun while also improving their focus and flexibility.

Elizabeth is also a 200hr certified Yoga instructor through Costa Yoga. She especially enjoys teaching mediation and Vinyasa Flow. She loves yoga for stretching, strength, and finding peace. Elizabeth has a musical background. She sings and also plays the ukulele, saxophone, and harmonic. For her it is pure happiness when her students leave her classes feeling calm and energized. Her love for yoga shines through with the energy and joy she brings to each class. Elizabeth also holds an MA in Music Education from Teachers College, Columbia University.

Ashley Wettlin,

Social Media Manager & Teaching Artist (she/her)

Ashley Wettlin is a 200-Hour Registered Yoga Teacher with a passion for many things. Growing up in South Carolina she found her love for theatre and music, which followed her into the world of songwriting.

Ashley loves to explore the world with her students, allowing their creativity to blossom and shine in whatever ways it wants to. To learn about her further creative endeavors - including an album of original music - more can be learned at www.ashleywettlin.com.

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Ocean White,

Teaching Artist (she/they)

Ocean is a Brooklyn based 200 HR Yoga Alliance certified yoga instructor. They are a movement artist and circus weirdo with a focus in acrobatic dance, flow arts, and fire manipulation. When not dancing they enjoy a barefoot walk in the woods, a strong cup of coffee, and a salty hot bath.

Ocean has been an early childhood educator since 2015 and loves sharing the joys of music and movement with Yo Re Mi students.

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David Williams,

Teaching Artist (he/him)

David Williams is a Musician, Producer, DJ, MC and Teaching Artist specializing in wellness and music, with a talent for encouraging active learning through paradigm-shifting Holistic Hip Hop Yoga curricula. David’s interdisciplinary work includes positive lyrics, music, art, wellness support and alternative education that is bringing positive change to the world.