Guided by Trusted Experts in Developmental Play
At Union Square Play, we believe that the foundation of a child's growth lies in the hands of educators who understand the science of play. Our team brings mission-driven guidance to every session, nurturing confidence through child-led exploration.
Lily Schatzberg
Lily brings a vibrant mix of playfulness and deep expertise to every class. Currently earning her M.S.Ed. in School Psychology at LIU Brooklyn with a specialization in Early Childhood, Lily isn't just playing around—she truly understands the big developmental magic behind every infant and toddler milestone. Beyond USP, she spends her time as a Psychologist in Training with NYC Public Schools, mastering the art of supporting little minds, social-emotional growth, and family partnerships.
The Heart of Our Community
We believe that trusted, expert guidance is the foundation of child-led discovery. Meet the educators who nurture curiosity and foster growth every day.
Daniela Arevalo
Dani leads sensory and art classes for babies and toddlers. She brings a warm, creative, and playful approach to each class, creating engaging experiences that encourage little ones to explore, create, and express themselves. Her classes focus on sensory discovery, creativity, and building confidence through play.
Colby (affectionately dubbed “Coco” by new talkers) has been a member of the Union Square Play family since 2022. She is a lead educator; the co-creator of the holistic pre-ballet pedagogy, “Dance! Play! Ballet!”; an educator of conceptual-based dance and neurodevelopmental patterning for infants and toddlers trained by USP’s Director of Movement Dionne Kamara; a nanny; and a professional Ballet dancer. She bases her approach to early childhood development on the Montessori, Reggio Emilia, and RIE philosophies, as well as over a dozen years of hands on experience. In the classroom, Coco aims to create an environment that facilitates curious exploration and novel experiences, while celebrating wonder in the world around us.
Colby Treat
Lauren Treat
Originally from central New York and a family of six siblings, Lauren Treat has been teaching with Union Square Play since 2021. After learning and training with the very best, USP's Jennie Monness and Dionne Kamara, Lauren went on to co-create USP's Creative Ballet program for 3-5 year olds, 'Dance! Play! Ballet!'. In addition to USP, she is a passionate dance educator of over a decade, the Director of Dance at the Riverdale YM-YWHA, and a joyful dancer herself. As an independent dance artist Lauren has danced professionally with BalletMet Columbus, Milwaukee Ballet, Carolina Ballet, Charlotte Ballet, Connecticut Ballet, Lydia Johnson Dance, Neglia Ballet, Jefferson Performing Arts, AVID Dance, and MorDance.
Lauren aspires to dream up and create peaceful, beautiful classrooms where curiosity and play bloom in each class.
Dionne Kamara
Dionne specializes in conceptual-based dance pedagogy and neurodevelopmental patterning for infants and toddlers, and serves as the Director of Movement at USP and a long-time professional dancer and educator. Her work is heavily grounded in the principles of Brain-Compatible Dance Education and Anne Green Gilbert’s sequential "BrainDance" methodology. She is passionate about equipping caregivers with the tools to turn simple supervision into active facilitation, fostering presence-driven connection between caregivers and children.
Ready to meet the experts?
Our Collective Heart
We believe that a child's growth is deeply rooted in the expertise and empathy of those who guide them. Our educators share a unified philosophy where child-driven exploration meets clinical insight, ensuring every playful moment is a purposeful step in development. Together, we cultivate a community of belonging and lifelong confidence.
Meet the team in person
Join a session or take a tour to experience the magic of USP.