Instructors 

We are very proud of the amazing talent we have on our team.  We feel great instructors are the core to a great learning environment! 

 
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Elliott Cortez

Ph.D. & Founder of Elliott's Classes

Elliott Cortez, Ph.D. is the founder of Elliott's Classes, movement education classes that have been improving the physical, cognitive and emotional development of children in New York City since 1992. As a child psychologist and former gymnast, Elliott designed Elliott's Classes to optimize learning through movement science to enrich all aspects of a child's life. This unique approach has been coined, "The Elliott Method". According to Elliott, "I like to see the world through childrens' eyes and speak to them as if they are my equals." Elliott provides every child with individualized attention and believes addressing a child's special needs at an early stage is critical in enhancing their development.

Elliott found his passion for gymnastics at a young age and began competing professionally at the age of 7. Following his retirement from professional competition, he joined the world renowned Bela Karolyi Training Center in 1985 as a trainer certified by the United States Gymnastics Federation.

In 1987, Elliott earned his Ph.D. in child psychology from Texas A&M, after which he formed his own practice. As part of treatment, Elliott often advised patients to enroll in gymnastics to build social and behavioral skills. He put his technique into practice by developing a National Gymnastic Training Program for high risk children at the YMCA and elementary public schools in Houston, Texas. This program ultimately formed the basis for "The Elliott Method". Ultimately, these children showed improvement in their overall school performance and behavioral problems were minimized.

Following the success of this program, Elliott began leading classes at several children's gymnastics centers in New York City. The response to his programming was overwhelming and compelled him to open Elliott's Gymnastics Center. Today, Elliott's Classes has evolved into a center with a full range of children's programming with the goal of making a positive impact on as many children as possible.

Elliott's Classes have earned recognition from many early childhood specialists including physicians who recommend parents with at-risk children as young as 8 weeks to enroll in Elliott's Classes. Elliott's work has brought him significant recognition for early childcare services:

  • Elliott's Classes Named Among "Best Gyms for Kids in NY" by CBS News in 2012

  • 1999 New Yorker of the Week by NY1 in recognition for "working to do what is right and good for our children and our future"

  • 1999 Hero of the Year award by Big Apple Parents Guide, recognized for "good deeds in helping others and improving the quality of life in NYC"

  • Appearances in several "Sesame Street" videos including "Elmocize" and "Count on Sports"

  • 1995 release of "Elliott's Gym for Kids" video, bringing exercise to children in their homes

  • 2012, 2013, 2016 Red Tricycle's Best Kids' Sports Classes in New York

Aria Willoughby

Director & Lead coach

Aria Willoughby was born and raised in Brooklyn, NY, where she spent the early years of her life dancing, then did competitive cheerleading for 6 years. During a short hiatus from cheerleading, Aria began pursuing her degree in behavioral psychology where she took pride in applying her knowledge on how the brain develops to becoming a better coach. Since then, she has become an USA Gymnastics certified coach.  

She is known here at Elliott’s for her endless patience and tricky tricky ideas. Each class is structured to help every child find their strengths and confidence while practicing being mindful individuals. When asked how she keeps classes structured and her sanity, she said, “I always try to meet the child where they are. They’ve only been alive for a couple of years, if that. They are still learning the world and their place in it. My job is to help guide them, even if that means through their big feelings.”

Aria believes:

“Building strong self esteems at young ages develops better relationships with the child’s self and the world around them. Her motto is, “it’s not that you can’t do it; You just don’t know how to do yet”

Irandy Reyes

Office Manager

Irandy Reyes was born in Pomona, California and raised in Oklahoma City, OK.  She received a Bachelor’s of Fine Arts in Modern Dance Performance with a Minor in Psychology from The University of Oklahoma. She has been with Elliott’s Classes for 2 years. 

She spent her early years living in Mexico where she discover dance. After moving to Oklahoma she continued studying dance and has lead dance classes throughout the years.  Irandy is fluent in Spanish and English. 

Irandy believes:

“We should always try our best doing something new before we say no thank you”