OUR TEAM
Shasta Molnar
Founder & CEO
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Shasta Molnar is the owner and creative vision behind all of the after school, camps, classes -- and amazing ARRRTY parties at Sky Village NYC!
Shasta holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts from the University of Utah in Salt Lake City, Utah. Her early career was spent working with children teaching art and theater at Rowland Hall Elementary School in Salt Lake City, Utah. After moving to New York City in 2005 Shasta worked for Kevin Bacon and Kyra Sedgwick as their family nanny.
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Before welcoming the arrival of her first daughter in 2013, Shasta enjoyed some success as an artist showing her work at the Provincetown Art Association in Cape Cod, Massachusettes and Mountain Trails Art Gallery in Sedona, Arizona.
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Compelled to share her passion for art with her children and community Shasta opened SHASTYE Art Gallery and Play Space in 2015.
Shasta began development of Sky Village NYC in 2018, where she now paints and operates weekly art based educational classes for children.
Future goals include painting "Flowers of Astoria", a passion project Shasta is excited to pursue.
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Jasmina Yilmaz
Early Childhood Specialist and Lead Instructor
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Jasmina, is our Early Childhood Specialist and Lead Instructor at Sky Village NYC. She also holds several certificates in trauma-informed yoga for children.
As an Early Childhood Education Specialist and Lead Instructor in our Pre-School Alternative, she brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her role. Jasmina is also a loving mother to her child, Ayla, adding a personal touch to her understanding of children's needs.
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Josue Palio
Head Caregiver and Security
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Josue has been an integral part of Sky Village since 2022, contributing his skills and expertise as a caregiver and Jiu-jitsu referee to create a positive and engaging environment for the children.
Formally a Marine combat veteran, Josue studied at St. John’s and received a degree in Criminal justice with a minor in math. He has his IT specialists certification as well, and is a Jiujitsu purple belt.
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Tara Pizzi
Assistant Event Coorinator
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Tara is a valued member of the Sky Village team, and is currently embarking on her second summer with the organization.
Tara lives in Queens with her nine year-old son Deen. Prior to Sky Village she worked as a manager at a hotel in midtown Manhattan and has a BA in Communication Arts from Marymount Manhattan College.
In her spare time she loves to write, play music and spend time in nature with her son.​
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