Lyes grew up swimming in the Mediterranean Sea off the coast of Algiers in North Africa. When he was 14 years old he was selected for the Algerian national swim team in his age group.From 1984 to 1992

Lyes was at the pinnacle of his swimming career, setting records and winning Continental titles as well as several other medals at international swim competitions.  Simultaneously, he was inspired to earn his masters degree in sports and science technology.

Lyes moved to the U.S. in the late 1990s and discovered his true calling – working with children – when he hosted his first swim exposition.  After several years of teaching a multitude of swim lessons for both children and adults, as well as coaching champion youth swim teams,

Lyes eventually established Children of the Sound in 2004.Lyes’s methodology teaches with a “LOVING BUT FIRM” approach that blends equal doses of laughter and fun with hard work.  His methodology prides itself on a personalized approach to instruction that helps children become confident and agile in the water through awareness, self-confidence and respect for the water.

Valerie grew up in New York and joined her first swim team at age 6. She graduated John F. Kennedy Catholic High School and Siena College where she swam both competitively and recreationally. She has been with Children of the Sound since 2014. She enjoys spending time with her husband and black lab, Smokey. Some of her hobbies include cleaning up the beach, running, and going to Disney world. 

Amy was born and raised in Norwalk, CT. Before joining Children of the Sound in 2013 as Program Director and Swim Instructor, Amy was an Early Childhood Educator. She loves working with children and the positive impact that comes with it! Building confidence in little swimmers and the challenge of working with a fearful swimmer is what Amy strives for. Amy has years of expirience working with special needs children. She is super patient and kind! In her spare time Amy enjoys spending time outdoors, going to the beach and spending time her family.

Now relocated in Tampa, Florida, Amy is the general manager remotely for COTS! 

If you are ever in the Tampa Bay area on vacation reach out to set up an intensive swim course!

Coach Gabriel was born in Mexico and raised in Norwalk, CT. His hobbies are personal fitness, running, playing basketball & pickleball. Last but not least his favorite thing is to spend quality time with friends and family. Gabriel enjoys working with children, his style of teaching is very gentle & patient. All his swimmers love his classes!

I grew up in Kent, CT and swam for the Kent School Varsity Swim team for four years. My 4th year I served as a captain. In 2016 I graduated from College of the Holy Cross where I rowed for the NCAA Division I Women’s Rowing team (serving as captain my senior year). While my “learn-to-swim” coaching experience began a few years ago at Burning Tree Country Club (swim camp + private lessons), followed by Chelsea Piers (swim school instruction + private lessons), my aquatics coaching experience originally began at age 17 at Spirit Sports Camp LLC. I was the swim coach there for all age groups. I also taught elementary ESL instruction for 3.5 years. Developing positive rapport quickly with children has come naturally to me from a young age. I love seeing kids thrive in safe and fun learning environments (my favorite one being the water)!