Staff

USAG Professional Member, USAG Safety Certified

“Miss Michelle” was the director of the Upper Merion Park & Recreation dance program from Winter 2001 to Spring 2004. She started dance at the age of four at the Lehman School of dance in Glencoe, Illinois. She continued ballet, tap and jazz dance training through high school as well as college performing in numerous recitals, dance concerts and musicals. She has also assistant taught with her teacher Laverne Lehman. She has taken several master classes at both Broadway Dance Center in NYC as well as Koresh in Philly. Miss Michelle is a graduate of Emerson College in Boston MA, having earned a bachelors degree in public relations. She also assists in coaching UMDGC’s competitive gymnastics team. Michelle is an active member of The King of Prussia Players. She has also choreographed musicals for them as well as Methacton Community Theatre and Theatre Horizon.

USAG KAT Certified, USAG Professional Member, USAG Safety Certified
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"Mr. Dave" was a competitive gymnast for 8 years with Pancott Gymnastics Center in Malvern. His gymnastics coaching experience includes: class coach with Upper Merion Park & Recreation (1991-93), program director for UMPR (1993-2004), boys’ compulsory team coach at Pancotts (1996-2001), and tumbling instructor for PW Spartans, Kennedy-Kenrick CHS, Carroll CHS, Plymouth-Whitemarsh HS, and Conshohocken Golden Bears. Mr. Dave graduated from Temple University with a bachelors degree in psychology.

Boys Gymnastics Programming Co-Director
USAG Professional Member, USAG Safery Certified

Jeremy is a graduate of Temple University. where he earned a B.A. in Criminal Justice and minored in philosophy. He began working with UMDGC in June 2004 after working with the boys' team at Pancott Gymnastics Center for six years and having been a gymnast there for 10 years. Jeremy's coaching experience covers from the youngest levels up to high-level optional competitors. Jeremy competed in the 1998 J.O. National Championships.

Girls And Adult/Teen Gymnastics Teams Director
USAG Professional Member, USAG Safety Certified

Kelly joined UMDGC in November 2006 after 2 years as the assistant coach at the University of Rhode Island. She is returning home after completing her master's degree in August 2005 for Human Development and Family Studies, with a focus on work and family balance. After a very successful career at Metzler's Gymnastics as a level 10, Kelly was a four-year scholarship athlete on the URI gymnastics team from 1998 to 2002. The Bala Cynwyd native's recognitions include: NCAA Regional competition (3 times); All-Atlantic Ten gymnast (twice); All-Atlantic Ten team member (3 years); URI all-time top-ten in all-around, vault, bars, and floor; team captain in 2002; Academic All-American (2 years); and All-Atlantic 10 honors on the vault and floor. She also has 6 years of experience as director, instructor, and coach of Lower Merion Township's summer recreational gymnastics program. 

Camp Assistant Director and Weekend Gymnastics Programming Co-Director

Kristen graduated in 2006 from Kennedy-Kenrick CHS. She is currently attending the University of Delaware where she studies Fashion Merchandising. Kristen did gymnastics for four years when she was younger, cheerleading for eleven years (until her junior year of high school), and is currently a member of UMDGC's adult gymnastics team. Kristen began coaching with Upper Merion Park & Recreation in 2004.

Camp Director and Weekend Gymnastics Progamming Co-Director
USAG KAT Certified, USAG Jr. Professional Member, USAG Safety Certified

Mandy graduated from Upper Merion Area High School where she was a member of the National Honor Society, cheerleader, and active member of the student government. Mandy is attending West Chester University, majoring in Athletic Training and possibly minoring in Athletic Coaching. She started working at UMPR in 2001 and followed the program to UMDGC. She has been teaching the girls level 4 team since the Spring 2002. In Summer 2006, Mandy was promoted to director of summer camp, and will supervise weekend team workouts during the school year.

Boys Gymnastics Programming Co-Director
(USAG Professional Member, USAG Safety Certified

Walt Kenney joined the UMDGC staff in June 2006 after 7 years as the boys team director at John Pancott Gymnastics Center, Malvern. He has a bachelors science degree in health and physical education and attended Temple University on a scholarship. He was a member of the Temple University team and captain of the team in his senior year. He was a member of the EIGL championship team of 1980 and was 2nd in the all around. He was assistant coach at Temple and coached the University of Pennsylvania men’s gymnastics club. He has been coaching for 30 years and is a former national and Junior Olympic judge. He had a gymnast qualified for the USAG Junior Olympics Nationals every year since 1999.

Assistant Camp Director

Miss Vicky graduated from Upper Merion High School in June 2006 and currently attends Penn State-Berks Campus. She began coaching gymnastics with Upper Merion Park & Recreation in 2001 and followed the program to UMDGC. Vicky is very popular with those wanting private lessons in tumbling, and also teaches preschool and recreational gymnastics level 0-2.

Allison has been dancing since she was 3 years old. Her training includes ballet, pointe, jazz, modern, hip hop and tap. She has trained at Mar-Le-Nie Dance studio of Chambersburg, PA and Beckie's Dance Studio of Waynesboro, PA. While in college, she also preformed with the Emotion Dance Club of Elizabethtown College and was co-captain for the Elizabethtown College Varsity cheerleading squad. In addition to teaching a UMDGC, Allison currently is a student in Philadelphia and operates Beckie's Dance Studio in Southern Pennsylvania.

Danielle attends West Chester University, majoring in Political Science - International Relations. She transferred to WCU from Philadelphia University. Danielle has been dancing since 5 years of age, with training in Ballet, Jazz, Modern, Hip-hop and Irish Step. She has trained with Green Street Dance Company in Souderton, PA for 14 years, the Barn Studio of Dance in Lansdale, PA and takes classes at Koresh in Philly. During the summer, Danielle has taken two summer dance intensives at DeSales University. She has taught ballet and jazz since she was 14 and has choreographed ballet, modern, and jazz pieces at Delaware Valley Dance Academy. She is very excited about joining the UMDGC Dance staff.

Genevieve is a graduate of Eastern University, where she earned a BA in Dance. She has been studying ballet since age 5. She started training at the Johnstown Concert Ballet Company under artistic director Carla Pruncel who danced with the Pittsburgh Ballet Theater. She has had solos in ballets such as The Nutcracker, Coppelia, Sleeping Beauty, Les Sylphides, and Don Quixote. She also studied under Dr. Karen Clemente and Dr. Joselli Deans at EU, and Cherie Noble of the Pennsylvania Ballet Company. She has taught ballet ages 3-18 years for 3 years at a studio in Windber, PA, many studios throughout this area, and current is a dance teacher at Agnes Irwin.

Krissy Hines attends Cedar Crest College where she is studying early childhood education.  She has trained at the prestigious Rock West dance school. Krissy has taken many years of ballet, tap, jazz, and hip hop as well as master classes with Tap Dogs Gil Stroming, Mike Minery, Dan Kartay, Mia Michaels, and Cassidy. Krissy also performed in both the Fourth of July and Thanksgiving Day Parades. She started teaching when she was thirteen with Upper Merion Parks and Recreation in 2001 at the gymnastics camp. In 2003, Krissy began working with the UMPR dance program, and then UMDGC in 2004. Krissy also coaches gymnastics to younger students and took gymnastics at UMPR when she was younger. Her favorite color is pink and her favorite ice cream is mint chocolate chip. She loves teaching kids to be great gymnasts and dancers!

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Svetlana Roosiparg, professional Ballroom and Latin dancer, choreographer, instructor and coach, has achieved and sustained a high level of distinction in the International and American Ballroom Dance community. Svetlana was born in Tallinn , Estonia where she began dancing at the age of eight. Svetlana has represented her country four times in the World International Latin Championship. She has also performed in numerous productions in Estonia such as “Theatre Estonia ” and City Hall Concert Productions in addition to performing with the Estonian Dance Company. After dancing and teaching in Italy for two years, Svetlana moved to the United States where she has continued to compete and coach in the Philadelphia area and New York City.

Adam is an elite level gymnast and is on the Temple University Men's Gymnastics Team. After a total of 11 years at Bensalem Gymnastics and John Pancott Gymnastics, Adam joined the UMDGC team in 2006. During that year, he qualified for the USA Championships (2006), attended the USA Championships qualifier (2006 and 2007), was the 2007 All-Around Level 10 State Champion, was elected PA Senior of the Year (2007), and was placed 5th on the still rings at J.O. Nationals (2007). Adam is currently studying Exercise/Sports Science.

Celia began taking classes with Upper Merion Park & Recreation.  Celia has competed at levels 4, 5, and USAIGC Bronze.  Her coaching career began  in the summer of 2007.  She currently attends Upper Merion Area High School where she plays tennis.

• assistant coach oat Arizona State University
• program coordinator and head coach of the Jr. Sun Devil Gymnastics Team
• program coordinator and head coach at Gymnastics & Cheerleading Academy of Cherry Hill
• master staff, coach/counselor, and spotting instructor at International Gymnastics Camp
• gym manager of Kehler's Gymnastics
• coach at Broadway Gymnastics in Santa Monica, CA

Christine has been with Upper Merion Gymnastics since Fall 1996.  During that time, she has competed level 4, level 5, and USAIGC Bronze with our girls and adult teams.  As a level 4, Christine was State Champion on floor, for which she was recognized on the Banner of Fame.  Christine began coaching in Summer 2006 and was nominated for Coach of the Year in Summer 2007.  This honor's student at Upper Merion Area High School has also played softball, played violin for 9 years, was a choir member and is in the Honor Society.  She likes the beach, flamingos, the color green and has ALOT of energy.

Jenna attends Montgomery County Community College. She began coaching with UMPR gymnastics in 1998 and helped establish the girls gymnastics team in 2001. She has been involved in gymnastics since 1992, attaining level 7 at Pancott Gymnastics Center. Jenna received the Director's Award in summer 2003, and the "Gold Coach Award" in summer 2004.

Joelle joined UMDGC in 2007 while attending Eastern University for Physical Education.. She specializes in coaching tumblers; she also helps out with all of the classes and girls preteam. Joelle competed up to level 8 at Macey's Gymnastics and Airborne Gymnastics. She has performed in 2 halftime shows for the 76ers. Ms. DeCarlo coached with Newtown Athletic Club for 5 years. Her interests include playing basketball on the Eastern University team, tanning, and making people laugh.

Jesse began coaching with UMDGC in November 2005. Besides working with class, Jesse has also been an assistant coach with the team. Jesse was an original member of the adult gymnastics team that competed at the 2006 Keystone State Games, and currently competes as at the Silver level.

Kaitlynn attends High Point University to study interior design. She began with Upper Merion Gymnastics as a gymnast in 1999. In 2003, she qualified for the States Games of America competition, where she placed on vault and all-around. Kaitlynn began coaching in 2002 and currently works with the level 4 girls team, as well as recreational classes. She received the 2001 “Gymnast of the Year” award, and her favorite color is pink.

Kelly is a student at Upper Merion Area High School. She has participated in the Upper Merion Gymnastics (both Upper Merion Park & Recreation and UMDGC) since 1995 and was an original member of the gymnastics team as a level 4. She started working in the Summer 2004 and received the outstanding coach award in 2005.

Krista has been involved with gymnastics since 1996 and starting coaching tumbling and gymnastics in May 2006. I'm a senior at Upper Merion Area High School, where I also am on the cheerleading squad. 

Lindsey began her gymnastics career at Upper Merion Parks & Recreation in 1994. She competed level 4 for one year and started working as a coach at the gym the summer of 2003. Lindsey currently is a senior at Upper Merion High School where she enjoys cheerleading. When she attends college next year, she hopes to study psychology.

Michele started gymnastics with Sprites Gymnastics in East Norriton while also participating in diving, ballet, jazz, and tap. Later, she competed in volleyball, track and karate. Michele started coaching gymnastics in 1994 at North Penn Gymnastics and has coached preschool through level 8. She is a current member of the National Association of Women's Gymnastics Judges, having judged levels 1-6. Michele has also attended numerous gymnastics seminars: National Compulsory Workshop, International Gymnastics Camp Visiting Coaches Program, USAG Mini Congresses, and Steve Nuno's Dream Clinic. She is currently studying Landscape Architecture at Temple University Ambler.

Salina started taking gymnastics classes with Upper Merion Dance & Gymnastics in 2004, including competing levels 4, 5, and USAIGC level bronze. Salina was the Gymnast of the Year for 2006. Her other interests include cheerleading and softball.