We are passionate about providing exciting and nurturing educational experiences that prepare young people to be creative and enthusiastic lifelong learners.

Lisa Ecklund-Flores, Founder & Program Director
Lisa Ecklund-Flores holds a Ph.D. in Developmental Psychology from the City University of New York Graduate Center. She received her Dalcroze Teachers License in 1987 from the Dalcroze School of Music in NYC under Dr. Hilda Schuster. A registered music therapist and NYS certified music teacher, Lisa received her Bachelor’s degree from SUNY Fredonia in 1980 and her Master’s degree from Hunter College in 1992. In addition to founding, directing and teaching at Church Street School for Music and Art, Lisa has taught at Greenwich House Music School, Diller-Quaile, Brooklyn College Preparatory Center and The Washington Market School. Lisa is an educational consultant for the Nickelodeon show Blue’s Clues, and is also a professor at Mercy College and a research scientist at New York State Psychiatric Institute.

Angela Jaeger, Lead Teacher
Angela Jaeger is a singer, performer and a NY State Dept. of Education certified early childhood educator. Born and raised in New York City, Angela studied voice at Third Street Music School and musical theater at SUNY Purchase. Her studies brought her to London and Barcelona, where she worked with an extensive group of musicians including post-punk bands Pig Bag, The Monochrome Set and pop producer Trevor Horn. Angela holds a masters from Touro College and has completed training in the Responsive Classroom model and the Mindfulness in Education program at Omega Institute. Angela was the choral director at PS 234, where she developed the 4th & 5th grade chorus, and created an intergenerational learning partnership with The Caring Community Center. She has also taught at LREI and Music Together.

Cori Kresge, Lead Teacher
Cori Kresge has been a member of the Church Street School staff since 2015. She loves working with children of all ages, teaching dance technique, improvisation, and exploring the arts.Cori has a BFA in dance from SUNY Purchase and has studied dance and music in Bali, Indonesia with a Daramasiswa Scholarship.
As a professional dancer, costume designer, teacher, and singer she has performed and toured internationally on works for stage and film with the Merce Cunningham Repertory Group, Steven Petronio Company, José Navas/Compagnie Flak, Rashaun Mitchell + Silas Riener, Charles Atlas, and others.
She is ecstatic to be combining her loves of music, movement, art, storytelling, and play in the Little Creator classes!

Ruby McCollister, Lead Teacher
Ruby is an actress and comedian in New York City. She graduated from Bennington College with a focus in performance and film. She has performed her work at MoMA, PS1 and the New Museum, as well as a plethora of comedy venues across the city. She applies a personal approach to teaching performance and theater at Church Street School, with an emphasis on monologue and narrative construction.
“Church Street School’s teachers – each individually – showed patience and genuine kindness. They were such a pleasure to work with.”
– Former CSSMA Preschool Parent