Get To Know More About Us
Get To Know More About Us
Blooming Bébé offers developmental movement and music classes for infants and toddlers ages 2 months to 4 years. Our mission is to nourish healthy minds and bodies through support and bonding. Classes are designed to build confidence and body awareness through movement and rhythm.
Movement is the key to stimulating brain development in young children. Our movement classes promote early cognition, physical agility and emotional well-being using dance, dynamic mind-body exercises, nursery rhymes, and an array of instruments and props. We provide caregivers with information that enables an appreciation of their child’s developmental stage and touch techniques to ensure safe and continuous progress.
The benefits of early music education include accelerated speech development, communication and motor skills. Our drum and percussion class provides children with an immersive and interactive musical experience focused on developing rhythm and coordination.
The Blooming Bébé experience is engaging, education and incredibly fun. We invite you to learn more about our programs and to become a part of our community!
Blooming Bébé was created by Courtney Corbin-Simon, a mother, former professional dancer with Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater and Certified Infant Developmental Movement Educator through the School for Body-Mind Centering.
Children develop thinking skills, social and emotional skills and self-confidence through movement.
Courtney Corbin-Simon is a body-in-motion, who has more than 25 years of classical and modern dance training and performance.
Immediately upon seeing her movements and musical interpretations, Sylvia Waters knew, "Courtney had to dance for Alvin Ailey." Corbin-Simon traveled the world for more than 6 years dancing for Ailey II and the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre.
Movement, interpretation, skill and talent are the basics you need to perform for Ailey. Corbin-Simon exceeded those expectations in signature pieces as Billie Holiday in "Portrait of Billie Holiday" and as the lead in "Revelations," Ailey's most prized and notable original choreography.
Today, as a mother, Corbin-Simon has taken her years of classical training and performing to develop an expertise in developmental movement, the natural movement patterns that enhance a baby's cognitive thinking and agility.
With her many years of performance, Courtney-Simon also has:
BFA, Fordham University
Certified Infant Developmental Movement Educator (IDME)
Actress, Nickelodeon's pilot "The Backyardigans"
Certified, baby CPR
Courtney's experience as a Certified Infant Developmental Movement Educator (IDME) allows her to create an enriching bonding experience for both parent/caregiver and child.
- Courtney was a professional dancer with the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater
- She was a cartoon character on Nickelodeon's show the Backyardigans
- She is an IDME
Matthew Baranello is a drummer, percussionist and educator in demand for the energy, taste, musicianship, versatility, and knowledge that he brings to every musical experience. Matt is fluent in Jazz, Afro-Latin and American popular styles. He has traveled the world performing with notable artists like Eartha Kitt, The Flamingos and Max “the Sax” Lucas to name a few. While in New York, Matt enjoys teaching and sharing his passion for Drums and Percussions with children and adults.
Amor began her yoga journey in 2011. Her passion for teaching children’s yoga led her from her hometown in Houston to New York City where she continues to teach yoga for all ages! "My dream is to create a world of little yogis who truly understand how to love themselves, have the tools to always know and do the right thing and most importantly to authentically express themselves so that others are inspired to do the same. I wholeheartedly believe this is my contribution to the world and how I will leave it better than I found it."
Ayla Eilert has over 15 years of dance training. She trained at numerous dance schools in New Jersey before leaving her home state to study at Walnut Hill School of the Arts in Massachusetts. Upon graduation, she progressed to the Washington Ballet's PTP program. While in Washington DC, she developed a passion for yoga and received her certification as a registered yoga teacher. Ayla is currently a freelance dancer, yoga and movement educator. She has experience and takes an interest in cognitive and behavioral benefits through movement. She is excited to be part of the Blooming Bébé team.
Samantha McLoughlin is originally from Edmonton, Alberta, Canada. She moved to New York in 2011 to attend and graduate from the Alvin Ailey School. Since her graduation, she has found her passion for teaching dance to young children. She is the program director for Shadow Box Theatre’s pre-k dance program and has been teaching at Rose Academy of Ballet for the past 7 years. Her first experience with dance was taking a toddler creative movement/ballet class and now that is her favorite style of dance to teach.
Ourania Douris is originally from Chelyabinsk, Russia and was raised in Queens, New York, Rania commenced her dance career at the age of two. She has since trained in a wide range of styles including ballet, tap, jazz, hip hop, modern, contemporary, African, Bollywood, Irish step, ballroom, Latin, acrobatics, and more. In May 2019 she received a BA in dance from Hofstra University. She has worked with choreographers such as Earl Mosley, Claire Porter, Olivia Mode-Cater, and Pedro Ruiz. She is thrilled to be a part of the Blooming Bébé community!
Peter Manheim is a drummer and percussionist from Evanston, Illinois. In 2012, he completed his bachelors degree in music at Oberlin Conservatory. While at school, he was fortunate to study with drumming masters Billy Hart and Jamey Haddad. Upon completing school, Peter moved to Brazil, where he spent six months traveling, performing, and studying Brazilian drums and percussion. Peter is currently based in Brooklyn and performs regularly around the city as well as nationally and internationally with a variety of bands.
Gianni Mano is a New York native, professional percussionist, and bandleader of the Williamsburg Salsa Orchestra. With over 20 years of experience playing Latin percussion, Gianni has performed around the world with many artists. He was recently a featured teaching artist at the Lincoln Center Education Program, and has brought his lecture series of rhythm and musical history to schools throughout the tri state area.
Steven Crammer is a freelance drummer, percussionist, and educator based in New York City. He received a B.M. from William Paterson University and is currently finishing an M.M at Manhattan School of Music. Steven performs in a wide variety of musical settings including jazz, classical, and Indian classical. His tabla studies have been under the tutelage of Pandit Samir Chatterjee.
A Forward-thinking hybrid percussionist whose global ethnic rhythms & playing techniques along with his diverse drums & percussion palette has led him to be the percussionist of choice for many artists, producers, popular musicians, groups, and top dj’s, all in which Jimmy collaborates, performs, & tours regularly with.
IDME is a child-centered, interactive approach that uses non-invasive facilitation to support infants in exploring their optimal potential. In this approach, you will first learn how to observe your infant’s natural rhythms and understand what peaks their curiosity and intentions. By following your baby’s cues, you will learn new ways to interact with your child in a manner that reduces overstimulation and promotes physical, social, emotional and cognitive development.
All of my friend’s babies are walking! My baby does not like tummy time. My baby is not crawling because he is lazy. My baby gets bored easily. What can I do to entertain my baby?
Infant Developmental Movement Education (IDME) addresses these concerns in a manner that respects and promotes your child’s natural progression of development.
All IDME’s (Infant Developmental Movement Educators) are trained and certified by the School for Body – Mind Centering. IDME training includes over 500 hours of course work, observations and sessions and takes several years to complete.
Why does this information matter?
Did you know that nearly 400,000 children between the ages of 3 and 9 in the USA receive intervention services for developmental delays? An Infant Developmental Movement Educator is trained to identify potential developmental risks and will advise on next steps. IDME is a preventative method that will teach you how to empower your child by physically handling and interacting with them in ways that promote healthy lifelong habits.