caroline ryburn

drama specialist

Caroline is CHP’s creative drama/movement specialist. Her teaching approach is interdisciplinary, weaving improvisation, narrative pantomime, movement/dance, music/song, and interactive storytelling together in set group activities and free play.  My goals are to encourage children to express their thoughts and ideas creatively both verbally and physically and to build interaction and communication skills with their peers.

Caroline’s connection to CHP began in 1992, when her first child was a student, and she joined CHP as a teacher in 1994.  

Caroline has almost thirty years of teaching experience with children of all ages. She has taught in public and private school programs at Poly Prep Country Day School, P.S. 261, Piper Summer Theater, and Families First. Her continuing studies in education include courses through Creative Arts Team (N.Y.U., Wolftrap Institute, and CUNY), The Center for Music and Young Children at Princeton, Bank Street College, and The Laban Institute of Movement Studies. She has also participated in programs through The National Storytelling Festival.

Caroline grew up in East Tennessee, studying dance and music from the age of four.  Her father was a dance teacher, who operated his own studio in their home, and her mother, a pianist, was accompaniast for the dance classes. After pursuing a degree in Theater Arts at Western Carolina University, she followed her passion to New York, graduating with honors from The American Musical and Dramatic Academy (AMDA). As a professional actor and member of Actors’ Equity Association, she has performed in numerous Off- Broadway, regional, and touring productions. Caroline is currently a company member of Brave New World Repertory Theater - www.bravenewworldrep.org

Caroline lives in the Cobble Hill/Boerum Hill area with her husband, writer/editor Nicholas Friedman.  They are the proud parents of two CHP graduates, Dora and Julian, both in their 20's now.  Caroline is an avid biker, who dreams of touring around the world with her husband on two wheels -- someday!

“Parenting has greatly informed my experience of teaching and vice versa. Nothing will drive you more quickly to your values than being a parent.”