Our team coaches share over 50 years of coaching experience. Among them, they have sent numerous gymnasts to State, Regional, and National level competitions, with many of those gymnasts holding titles at each level. The level of expertise is unsurpassed. The coaches have led teams to numerous state team titles, individual tiles and All Around titles.
In the last five years, they have helped many gymnasts get college scholarships to successfully be part of the NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association). They are each passionate and committed the sport of gymnastics. Our academy coaches represent fun, enthusiasm and an excellent knowledge of the fundamentals of gymnastics. They are all certified through USA Gymnastics and are committed to providing a positive experience for each and every student. Our academy coaches were all gymnasts and share the passion for physical fitness and awareness.
As a former competitive gymnast, Suzanne knows the challenges and rewards that go along with a sport like gymnastics. She strives to create an environment that is fun and promotes self-esteem and confidence. She wants every student to find their place and progress as far as their dreams will take them. Suzanne was introduced to gymnastics when her Mom enrolled her in gymnastics at the age of five. Having profited in many ways from the lessons she learned as a gymnast, Suzanne is committed to the notion that “fitness isn’t an option, it’s part of life.”
Chris has been coaching gymnastics for 25 years and is a highly-respected coach in the gymnastics community. In addition to coaching, Chris has been the State TOPS Director for USAG, and was also a consultant for Red Bull, Nike, Billabong and Vans in the Extreme Sports arena. He has been nominated for Coach of the Year and has seen his students reach multiple State, Regional and National titles. Throughout his coaching career, he has contributed to students earning full scholarships into the NCAA.
Our Coaches
Loana brings 18 years of experience coaching competitive gymnastics. She is a USAG and FIG Brevet Judge (Elite level), FIG Brevet Coach and a certified USAG National Coach. She has more than 10 years of international experience as a judge. She has served as a judge at World Championships, World Cups, and Multi-Sport Games. Her passion for gymnastics developed at a young age as she worked towards becoming an Elite level gymnast in Puerto Rico. In addition to her passion for gymnastics, she is passionate about personal growth and is a certified Life Coach.
Katrina started gymnastics at the age of three and trained to level 10, one level below the “elite” level. She has been coaching for seven years. She excels at coaching bars, vault, and teaching choreography. Gymnastics is her priority, but she also loves to dance. Her and her twin sister hold a World Latin Dance Cup title. She moved to SoCal in 2015 to challenge herself more as a gymnastics coach and a judge, as well as to pursue more opportunities as a professional dancer. A self-admitted over achiever, Katrina is motivated to develop each gymnast to their full potential.
Clinton has been coaching gymnastics, tumbling, and cheer for 7 years and has been coaching here at Flight School since opening day in 2013. He has a passion for coaching kids of all ages and loves his job. Clinton coaches many of our preschool, beginning and advanced classes. He is also one of our key coaches for the Xcel team. He is full of energy and gets a huge reward from seeing his students’ progress.
Gymnastics has been a part of Lorena’s life since she was young girl. Before coaching for more than 12 years, Lorena was a competitive gymnast for 10 years and graduated high School as a Level 9. She attended Cal State Long Beach, with a major in Kinesiology. She competed on CSULB’s All-Girl Cheer Team and won four National Championships. Lorena has lead our Flight School Xcel teams to multiple State and Regionals titles. Lorena loves getting kids excited about the sport of gymnastics and developing their motor skills.
Shannon grew up in the sport of gymnastics, but loves all type of movement. She is currently (2017) on scholarship studying Dance at CSU Long Beach with a focus on Modern Dance and Choreography. Shannon has been coaching for over 10 years and has worked with gymnasts of all levels ranging from Parent and Me classes to Level 10/Elite. Shannon has also helped coach many JO Compulsory teams to 9 State Championship titles. She believes that self-improvement is the best reward for hard work and hopes to help in creating both great gymnasts and beautiful human beings.
Holly started gymnastics when she turned 5, just shortly after she fell in love with the sport after watching the 1996 Summer Olympics. She competed in club for 10 years where she was the 2009 Level 9 Western National Vault & All Around Champion. Holly graduated from San Jose State University where she received a full ride scholarship for gymnastics. In August 2018 she will be attending nursing school. Gymnastics has been part of Holly’s life for 18 years and hopes to continue that for years to come. Holly is an Academy Coach and is excited to be here at Flight School Gymnastics.
The only thing Juan loves more than exercise, is sharing his knowledge of exercise with his students. He has experience in many fields of athletics and performing arts, including of course gymnastics. Throughout his life, Juan has done many performances in front of audiences of thousands. Juan likes to inspire students that they can be and do anything, if they work hard enough.
Ashley has had a passion for dance and gymnastics since the age of three. She began competing in rhythmic gymnastics at age 6 and continued competing nationally for ten years until an injury forced her to retire prematurely as a level 9 gymnast. She wanted to continue her involvement with the sport, so she began coaching and fell in love with working with young gymnasts. She believes that the most rewarding part of coaching is watching the children grow not only as gymnasts but as people as well. Ashley is currently studying business at USC in hopes of one day opening her own dance and gymnastics academy.
Hailey began gymnastics just before she turned 4 years old and has been involved with the sport ever since. She competed for 10 years where she was a five-time level 10 JO National Championships qualifier and invited to the Olympic Training Camp in Colorado for placing 4th All-Around at the 2009 Level 10 Nationals. After competing in club, Hailey continued her journey competing in the NCAA’s. She graduated from Oregon State University where she received a Full Ride Athletic Scholarship for gymnastics. Hailey is a professional USAG member, Safety & Risk Management Certified.
Stephanie started coaching gymnastics at the YMCA in San Diego in 2016, and later at the Olympic Training Academy in 2018. She started tumbling at the age of 8 and later moved to two years of high school gymnastics and cheerleading. Gymnastics isn’t her only love; Stephanie (AKA Stephanie Love) is also an up and coming singer/songwriter and moved to LA to pursue her music career. Music and gymnastics are two things she’s very passionate about and loves dearly.
Logan is very excited to be working with your children. He is a former competitive gymnast and avid street skater. He recently became USA Gymnastics Instructors Certified. Logan is very happy to be teaching at Flight School and looks forward to helping your children excel on the sport.
Kristen began training in gymnastics when she was four years old. Ever since then she has had a passion for the sport. She competed in gymnastics for several years. She has been coaching for the past five years and enjoys every moment of it. She also enjoys helping children reach their goals and watching them succeed. Currently she studies communications at El Camino College, but plans to transfer in the spring of 2018.
Evan Mejia has been into sports his whole life. Playing varsity basketball and volleyball throughout his high school years has instilled a disciplinary and structured attitude that he translates into his coaching. Evan loves to coach kids and see them progress and attain their goals. Evan has always been interested in gymnastics and wants to learn and excel as a coach here at Flight School.
For as long as she can remember, Shannon has always loved being around kids and taking care of them. Her love for gymnastics and kids makes her job that much more enjoyable! Shannon has always been interested in and fascinated by gymnastics but never got the chance to become involved with it as a child. Shannon enjoys all sports and had been playing volleyball for seven years. She is currently a varsity member of the South High women’s volleyball team.
Nikki Dunn has been involved in Gymnastics since she was 4 years old. She was a competitive gymnast for over 12 years and finished her gymnastics career at Level 8. She has over 6 years of coaching experience and teaches kids ages 3-12. She has a passion for coaching and hopes to continue teaching for years to come.
Kaelyn started gymnastics in classes when she was 5 years old and joined team at the age of 8. She joined the flight school family as a level 6 gymnast and retired after her level 8 regional competition. She loves working with kids and teaching them about the hard work and dedication it takes to not only be a gymnast but to achieve their own goals.
Elias started training and competing in gymnastics at the age of seven. He competed through his senior year as a level 10 and walked onto the NCAA D1 men’s gymnastics team at the University of Iowa his freshman year. Elias graduated from the University of Iowa in 2016 with a degree in Human Physiology and currently works in the emergency department as a medical scribe and EMT. His goal is to work in the medical field as a Physician Assistant however he is still passionate about coaching gymnastics. Elias has 8 years of coaching experience and is very enthusiastic about developing his students’ skills.
Office
Brooke has nearly 20 years of coaching experience with both recreational and competitive gymnastics. She also has over 12 years of administrative experience as a program director. Brooke absolutely adores kids and has been involved with the sport since the age of 5, both as a competitive gymnast and coach. Gymnastics has essentially been her life as opposed to just her job. Brooke is exceptional with children and we are excited to have her as part of our Flight School family.
Katie became involved with gymnastics when she was 6 years old and was active in tumbling and dance classes for 10 years. During high school, she started in the customer service industry, and continued with that for 7 years. She graduated from Cal State Long Beach with a major in Psychology. She has now found a home here at Flight School in our front office, and is also in charge of Parents Night Out every Friday night. Katie enjoys working with children, and loves helping out with them whenever she can!