Founded in 2015 Manhattan Rhythmics is a prestigious Rhythmic Gymnastics (R.G.) school found in the heart of Manhattan. Our Philosophy is to provide an inclusive environment to develop gymnast with the care and in depth personalized training approach to create confident, intelligent, poised, and critical thinking young ladies. Our approach of training combines the worlds best techniques, combining under one roof the Russian and Bulgarian training methods in body skills and apparatus work, with the inclusion of a deep foundation of ballet.
In a short 5 years, co-owners and head coaches Esma Serdjinti and Silviya Taseva have led MR to be among the top teams in the country becoming home to champions winning the titles of State, Regional, & National champions with unique choreography, and attention to detail.
MR has received and trained international gymnasts from Singapore, Colombia, China, Israel, Puerto Rico and France. Known for their attention to detail & unique choreography styles, Manhattan Rhythmics is the place you can become the best you, because "Perfection is what we do"
Esma Serdjinti (Team Coach & Co-Owner)
Esma trained in the sport of Rhythmic Gymnastics in the U.S.
In her career as a gymnast, Esma trained with legendary American and Russian coaches such as Wendy Hilliard & Natasha Kirienko.
Esma-May won medals and titles through out the tri-state area, including N.Y. State Champion in 1994, 1995 & the 1996 M.I.P (Most Improved Player) Award from U.N.I.S.
At 14, Esma became Algeria’s 1st Rhythmic Gymnastics National Team member, while training in the U.S. with Isadora Rhythmics. Esma went on to win a Bronze medal in the 1998 All African Games in Namibia. Once her training concluded, Esma continued to coach and choreograph for NYC based organizations such as the Wendy Hilliard Foundation, Big Apple Rhythmics, & Isadora Rhythmics.
Her career as a recreational coach include 92Y, Sokol N.Y (UES), NYC Elite (SOHO) & Jodi’s Gym. Her passion & love for the sport led Esma to create Manhattan Rhythmics & offer the generations to come the exposure and opportunity to take part in the sport of Rhythmic Gymnastics.
Esma is a certified USAG Level 3-8 judge and professional member and CPR certified.
Silviya Taseva (Team Coach & Co-Owner)
A native from Bulgaria, Silviya began her Rhythmic Gymnastics training and competitive career at the age of 4 coached by one of the world’s most famous rhythmics gymnastics coaches in the field.
Silviya was invited to join the Bulgarian National Gymnastics Team at the age of 12. Her personal achievements include: Bronze Medalist of the European Championship, 5-time Bulgarian National Champion, Gold medalist in numerous International and World Level RG Tournaments.
Silviya is the President of Manhattan Rhythmics gymnastics club in New York City. She has been a coach of multiple NY State, Regional and US National individual rhythmic gymnastics champions, as well as to the 2-time rhythmic gymnastics Junior Group National Champions of the USA. Silviya is also the head coach and choreographer of the Individual National Senior Team of Puerto Rico. Silviya has participated as PUR team head coach at the 1st RG Junior World Championships and is the coach of the PUR Team bronze medalist at the Central American and Caribbean Games 2023. She has also acted as a personal coach for various world famous celebrities as the daughter of the pop icon Madonna, Lourdes Ciccone.
Silviya Taseva is an unique, multi-talented asset to the Entertainment Industry. She continues to lead a fulfilling career as a successful Gymnastics and Dance Choreographer, Performing artist and Model. She has appeared in many commercials, multiple popular television and fashion shows, music videos, beauty contests, and toured with top recording artists
Silviya is a certified USAG professional member, FIG coach and CPR certified.
Federica Malamisura - Coach
Olena Benkovska - Coach
Olena Benkovska is a professional rhythmics gymnastics coach. Her love for rhythmic began at the age of five back in her home town Kiev, Ukraine in Europe.
Olena has participated in multiple national and international competitions, and is proud recipient of the title - Master of Sports of Ukraine.
Olena completed her Master degree education in the University of Physical Education and Sport in Ukraine.
After concluding her carrier as a gymnast, Olena continued in the field, as a professional rhythmic gymnastics coach and a national judge. She was the co-owner of a rhythmic gymnastics sports club back in her country, where she also was the leading coach to many talented gymnasts in different ages and levels.
Now, she is proud coach along the side of her colleagues from her rhythmic family in NYC - Manhattan Rhythmics.
Aries Wickham - Assistant Coach
Aries Wickham is an accomplished rhythmic gymnast whose achievements span both national and international stages. She clinched gold as a member of Team USA at the prestigious Pan-American Maccabi Games, where she also earned an individual all-around silver medal. Additionally, Aries represented Team USA at the World Maccabi Games in Israel, securing a silver medal for her team. Her competitive journey has been marked by numerous titles at the state, regional, and international levels, with victories stretching from New York to the Bahamas.
Aries’ rhythmic gymnastics career began in 2014 at the renowned Wendy Hilliard Gymnastics Foundation, a program known for producing elite athletes. In 2023, she expanded her impact on the sport by transitioning into coaching, where she now mentors young athletes, guiding them from Excel levels up to Level 10. Aries’ experience as a top-tier competitor, combined with her dedication to fostering the next generation of talent, makes her a highly respected figure in the rhythmic gymnastics community.
Abigail Chou - Assistant Coach
Abigail Chou was born and raised in NYC and has trained with Manhattan Rhythmics since its beginning in 2015. Abby is currently in high school at Saint Vincent Ferrer and has taken part in other forms of dance such as cheerleading, lyrical dance, contemporary jazz and musical theater.
She has trained with the MR curriculum including pre-team and competitive team, and has won medals from various invitational and sanctioned competitions in the Tri-state area and across the northeast.
Abby is now an assistant coach at Manhattan Rhythmics, working with recreational kids at young age, continuing distributing her knowledge in rhythmic to the young and curios generation of kids who enjoy the sport. She loves working with children and volunteers at the local library assisting kids with school work and creative projects.
Follow us on social media:
165 West 86th street (TOP FLOOR)
New York, NY 10024
(917) 246-4876
521 Main Street
New York, NY 10044
(917) 246-4876
