Building Community Through Movement—and Opportunity
The first time Claire Falkov saw rhythmic gymnastics, it didn’t look like anything she’d seen before. On a television screen, athletes moved across the floor with a kind of effortless precision—leaping, turning, and bending in ways that felt almost unreal, all while tossing ribbons, hoops, and balls high into the air and catching them in perfect rhythm. It was equal parts sport and art, discipline and expression.
For Claire, it was instant. She fell in love with the sport and knew she wanted to be part of it.
As she began training, she quickly realized how limited the opportunities were to pursue rhythmic gymnastics locally. There wasn’t a dedicated program in Northeast Ohio, and much of her experience involved working within spaces designed for other types of gymnastics, with limited resources and support.
That experience stayed with her—and eventually, it became the foundation for something much bigger.
When continuing as a competitive gymnast became increasingly difficult, Claire found a new path forward. At just 14 years old, she began assistant coaching, working with younger children and sharing what she had learned.
Coaching started as a way to stay connected to the sport, but quickly turned into something more. She discovered a passion for teaching—helping young athletes grow, build confidence, and develop both physically and mentally.
Over the years, Claire continued coaching while completing high school and college, building relationships with students and families along the way. As interest grew, so did the ambition of her program. Some students wanted to compete, and Claire was ready to help them get there. She registered with USA Gymnastics, formed a small competitive team, and began taking athletes to their first events.
What started with just a handful of gymnasts began to gain real momentum —until, just as
things were coming together, the program lost its training space.
When the facility at the Academy she had been using relocated and could no longer accommodate the team, Claire faced a pivotal moment. She could scale back—or take a leap.
“I guess I have to go ahead and open my own program somewhere,” she remembers thinking.
That decision marked the founding of the Cleveland School of Rhythmic Arts. Claire wasn’t just starting a business—she was creating something she had never had herself: a dedicated space for rhythmic gymnastics in Northeast Ohio.
For years, the program operated out of rented spaces—field houses and shared facilities booked by the hour. It meant constant adjustments, limited scheduling, and rising costs.
“You’re limited to certain hours… it’s hard to grow when you don’t have your own space.”
Despite those challenges, the program continued to attract families from across Northeast Ohio—sometimes nearly an hour each way—just to be part of it. Some had been searching for rhythmic gymnastics. Others discovered it for the first time and quickly fell in love.
What drew them in wasn’t just the sport itself. It was the environment Claire was creating: one rooted in passion, care, and a commitment to helping every child grow.
For Claire, success has never been about profit. It’s about impact.
“You don’t do it for the money. You do it because you love it,” she says.
That philosophy is reflected in everything the school does. Students as young as three begin developing coordination and confidence, while more advanced athletes train several days a week with focused intensity. Some pursue competition, while others simply enjoy the creativity and discipline of the sport.
Either way, the lessons extend far beyond the gym floor.
“It’s about the discipline, the work ethic, having goals—those things help in life,” Claire explains.
Still, Claire knew that to truly support her athletes—and continue growing—she needed a permanent home.
After years of searching, she found a warehouse with potential. Transforming it into a functional rhythmic gymnastics facility, however, would require significant renovation and investment.
That’s when ECDI stepped in with the Samuel M. Baker Memorial Hebrew Free Loan Fund. With access to low-interest capital, Claire was finally able to secure her own space.
For small businesses like Claire’s—especially ones built around community rather than profit—access to traditional financing can be a major barrier. High-interest loans can stall growth before it ever really begins, forcing entrepreneurs to choose between scaling back or taking on overwhelming financial risk. For Claire, who had already spent years building her program piece by piece, finding support that actually made growth possible—not just risky—was critical.
Through ECDI and the Sam Baker Loan Fund, Claire was able to access affordable capital that made growth not just possible—but sustainable.
“It was exactly what we needed at the right time,” she says.
The loan didn’t just help Claire secure a space—it changed what felt possible for her business. Instead of worrying about how to manage mounting financial pressure, she was able to focus on building something sustainable: investing in the right facility, hiring staff, and expanding programming in a way that truly served her students and families.
In just a month and a half, the warehouse was transformed into a fully operational gym. But the real transformation went far beyond the facility itself —it changed what the school could be.
With a permanent space, the Cleveland School of Rhythmic Arts could finally expand its impact. Claire introduced new offerings like ballet, ballroom dance, and early childhood programming—creating more entry points for students and laying stronger foundations for those pursuing the sport.
It also allowed the community to deepen. Families connected with one another, students built friendships, and the gym became more than a place for practice—it became a place to belong.
Claire has remained intentional about keeping the program accessible, welcoming families from a wide range of backgrounds. Many come from immigrant communities where the sport is more familiar but often difficult to access. The support she received reflects the same philosophy.
“People like Sam Baker are the ones who push small businesses forward,” she says. “They make it possible to build something meaningful.”
Today, the school continues to grow, supported by a loyal and engaged community. Claire now works alongside a team of coaches—including former students who have grown up within the program—creating a culture of mentorship that strengthens the school from within.
What began as a personal passion has become something far greater: a place where young athletes can discover their strength, build confidence, and find a sense of belonging.
For Claire, it all traces back to that first moment—the one that sparked everything.
She saw something once and fell in love with it. Now, she’s made sure that hundreds of children in Northeast Ohio don’t just see it. They get to be part of it.
