Founders 
NEST is the brainchild of six close friends who grew up together in the suburbs of Philadelphia. Joining the growing influx of young professionals moving into Center City, the idea for Nest hatched once life with kids in tow added new perspective to city living. Finding themselves dragging weary kids all over the city through a decentralized maze of birthday parties, playdates, and music classes, the group decided that they needed one destination where parents and kids can do it all, and NEST was born.  
 

Staff
 

Amy Myers
Nest Director
Lead Instructor

Amy is a long-time resident of Philadelphia, having moved from Chicago to pursue a degree in Children's Theater from Rowan University and later a secondary degree from Temple University, specializing in pediatric behavioral psychology. Teaching in a variety of schools, Amy has been lucky to work with students from a diverse set of ages and backgrounds always focusing on the creative learning process and celebrating the joy of childhood wonder. Not only teaching, but choosing to raise her family here in Philadelphia has given her a unique understanding of the rewards and challenges of having children in the city and she is excited to be sharing what she's learned with the wonderful families here at NEST!
Amy loves to hear from families on how to make the most out of being a part of the NEST community - contact her anytime at [email protected]

Ava Kepple
Lead Dance Instructor
Party Host


Ava is currently a senior at the University of the Arts, studying to receive a BFA in Directing, Playwriting, and Production. Growing up in Pittsburgh, PA, she took dance and acting classes at The Dance Company for the Performing Arts, starting at the age of three. This is where she developed a passion for the arts and helped taught preschool classes during high school. She also assisted in other classes as needed and helped with the younger children's productions. Without the help and encouragement of her teachers, she would not have found a love for dance, movement, directing, and theater. She is delighted to teach at Nest to open a door to the arts like her teachers did for her. 

Terrell Williams
Lead Instructor
Weekend Party Coordinator


Terrell Willams is a recent graduate of West Chester University where he not only completed his degree in psychology but experimented with several additional sciences to boot!  A classically trained musician and certified yogi it’s safe to say our Mr. Williams is a man of MANY talents!  Most recently, Terrell spent a year in the jungles of Costa Rica learning more about agriculture and teaching yoga classes to children of all ages!  He made his way back to Philadelphia and decided to set his sights on a new adventure - passing all the amazing things he’s learned and experienced onto our families at Nest!  Teaching and sharing time with children is incredibly important to Terrell.  He credits his early childhood classes and activities with helping him grow into the adventurous, hilarious, and incredible person he is today and now he can’t wait to inspire the next generation of learners and explorers!

Liz Morello
Hatchlings Facilitator 

Liz is a Licensed Clinical Social Worker and has worked as a therapist for the past ten years. She has training in birth education and mindfulness & meditation. She’s also a mom of 3(!), lives in Center City and knows the challenges and joys of raising city kids. She took the Hatchlings class when her first was born and it was a life saver and helped me build my village. Her kids have been coming to Nest ever since!  She’s been grateful to have been a facilitator at Nest for the past few years and loves being able to support parents and families on this parenthood adventure. 

Aliya Anderson
Lead Dance Instructor

Aliya Anderson has 18 years of dance experience under her belt and is a trained dancer in ballet, pointe, modern, jazz, hip-hop, African and acro. She is a graduate of Temple University Boyer School of Music and Dance with a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts.

During her time at Temple, Aliya studied dance pedagogy and became interested in teaching dance to children and youth. Since then, she has been teaching dance classes to children and youth at various dance studios throughout Philadelphia. In addition, Aliya has 5 years of experience working in childcare and has one year of experience as a nanny. Aliya has recently opened her own dance school, Monarch Dance Academy, which services children ages 18 months to 18 years old. Aliya is so excited to bring her love and knowledge for dance and movement to the children and families at nest!

 

 

 

Genevieve Marie Chambers 
Lead Music Teachers


Genevieve has a degree in early childhood education and a big heart for young children! By trade, she is a musician, an artist, and a Holistic Nutritionist. Her favorite thing about bringing music into Nest is that it is a universal language that every one can understand and love, children and guardians alike! She loves that being at Nest gives her the unique ability to combine all of her passions to give back to the families at Nest. As a parent she has seen first hand the magic that Nest brings to small children and is so grateful to be a part of that experience!



Wyatt Flynn
Lead Teacher
Playschool Assistant

Mr Wyatt is a performance artist/teaching artist from Philadelphia. He got his BA in Musical Theater from Temple University. 
As a teaching artist at Nest, Mr Wyatt loves  getting to celebrate learning and discovery, silliness, and of course music! Mr Wyatt  loves to bring folks along on imagination adventures through story and song. 
When he isn’t singing and playing at Nest, you can find Mr Wyatt performing in stage plays and musicals around the city. He loves creating original musicals and adaptations with his theater company The Hum’n’bards. You can also catch Mr Wyatt performing his own original songs on various stages throughout the city.