Founder & Creator Happy Place Creative Studio

Our founder, Abby Spivak, earned degrees in Fine Arts, Art History, and Communications at the University of Pennsylvania. Her unique background combines time spent in Art and Fashion departments at Ralph Lauren, Teen Vogue Magazine and Cosmopolitan Magazine, a decade in Product Development designing and producing clothes at Macy’s and five years as the Global Marketing Lead for GapKids and babyGap managing international creative campaigns. Abby has fostered a lifelong passion for all things creative; making things and expressing herself through drawing, painting, and crafting is Abby’s true definition of a happy place. Yearning for a creative outlet during her corporate years, she founded Further Lane Paperie, a design business dedicated to hand-painted invitations, paper goods and personalized items. In becoming a mom of two, constantly crafting in both normal and unprecedented times, she identified her desire to combine her two passions: art and kids. Happy Place Creative Studio is the culmination of this dream; a realization of a decades’-worth of ideas, projects close to heart and a desire to pass along the joy and excitement that she finds in making art and crafts to the next generation.

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From “Mr. Golden Sun” to “Here Comes The Sun”. From “Somewhere Over The Rainbow” to “The Rainbow Connection”. Join us each week for an intimate “unplugged” 45 minute sing-a-long where we focus on the fundamentals. A seemingly endless supply of clean instruments/“props” (shakers, bells, scarves, animal puppets, drums) will be provided - on a rotating basis - allowing for a great interactive experience overall for both the kids and the adults.

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Ali Brunson, PT, DPT, CSCS, PCES graduated from Northwestern University with a Doctor of Physical Therapy and a strong clinical background in outpatient orthopedic and sports medicine. She launched her own private practice—Alison Marks Brunson Physical Therapy, PLLC—where she combines evidence-based physical therapy with a personalized, whole-body approach. Ali became certified as a Pregnancy and Postpartum Corrective Exercise Specialist and created the AMB Method, a deep core focused workout designed to help individuals deepen their awareness, build foundational stability, and move with strength and confidence. She has the sweetest 1.5 year old daughter, Jordyn, and 2 doodle fur babies, Kona and Stevie!

After a successful two-decade career as a publicist for several global beauty brands, Jen Celata stepped away from the boardroom to embrace her second act: empowering others through movement.  Jen has always enjoyed being physically active so this former Division I swimmer and life long athlete decided to transform her passion for wellness into a full-time calling as a certified fitness instructor.  

Her classes blend challenging moves with epic beats and she is dedicated to helping everyone build confidence, energy and joy through movement.  She believes it is never too late to rewrite your story and her mission is simple: prove that your second act can be your strongest yet.

Jen lives in Harrison with her husband, 14 year old son, 12 year old daughter and feisty Bernedoodle.  She enjoys traveling, building the perfect playlist and being your biggest cheerleader.

Jess Press Kaplitt is a professional dancer. Her career has included dancing for the Knicks as a Knicks City Dancer to movies, commercials, print ads, and stage appearances. She is in her mama era, but is super passionate about empowering women (guys welcome too) to feel like their best selves, and carve out that “me time” losing themselves in the music and movement. Her class is a fun sweat sesh starting with aerobics inspired dance cardio to total body toning, ending with a spiritual cool down. Perfect way to start your day full of all the good feels.

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Founder of Tara Sussman Yoga

Tara is a local Scarsdale mom of 2 young boys and a professional Yogi. She has a dedicated yoga practice of over 20 years and graduated with her 200hr Yoga Teacher Training from Peaceful Yoga in Malverne.

Tara received her Children’s Yoga Teacher Training certification through Cosmic Kids yoga in August 2023.

Influenced by Tara’s Guru and late mother Debby, a yoga teacher and holistic healer, Tara has set out on a mission to share the incredible benefits she gets from her own yoga practice with the community of all ages. Tara believes that regular yoga practice both on and off your mat is the key to happiness and a more peaceful life!

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Pause to be Present helps people thrive, boost their wellbeing, and find calm in today’s stressful world through a highly accessible approach to mindfulness, meditation and personal growth. Mindfulness has made an enormous impact in the lives of co-founders Cheryl Brause and Stephanie Falk – so much so that they wanted to share this transformative practice with as many people as possible! It has helped them personally navigate relationships, parenting, business, and, most importantly, the way they relate to themselves and how they choose to liveour lives.

Cheryl Vigder Brause, Co-Founder, Chief Mindfulness Officer, is one of the leading experts on mindfulness in the tri-state area. Formerly a corporate litigator and investment banker, Cheryl has created and led hundreds of programs and taught mindfulness locally and nationally to thousands of adults, teens and children in schools, businesses and privately to help people livehealthier, happier lives.

Stephanie Falk, Co-Founder and Chief of Engagement Officer, oversees the business aspects of this thriving mindfulness and meditation company including community engagement, corporate wellness, marketing, development, client relations, and special events. Stephanie has held leadership roles in non-profit, consumer products, retail marketing and public relations.

Pause to be Present’s offerings merge ancient practices, modern psychology, and relatable practices to promote greater wellbeing, joy and fulfillment in all aspects of the lives of our like-minded community. Pause to be Present offers live in-person classes at Community of Play, online daily classes, customized private workshops and wellness retreats, all led by expert teachers in a supportive setting.

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