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Lake Norman Gymnastics Academy requires each instructor to earn and maintain a Safety Certification from U.S.A.G., and to become active members of U.S.A.G. (United States Association of Gymnastics). Safety Certification is one way that we seek to increase safety awareness. While safety certification alone is not a guarantee of safe conduct, it is a means of enhancing all gymnastics professionals' awareness of safety issues and injury trends.
Our professional instructors are chosen for their teaching ability as well as their knowledge and experience in their field. Each instructor is qualified and committed to teaching each student safely, progressively, and in a fun and positive manner.
Debi Taffi-Owner
Debi began taking gymnastics when she was 8 years old and was a competitive gymnast for 15 years in Southern California, receiving many awards and honors. She earned an athletic scholarship to California Polytechnic University at Pomona where she attained a Bachelor's Degree in Marketing and Business. "Miss Debi" has over 30 years of experience coaching women's gymnastics. It has been a lifelong dream to own her own gym; and now she has achieved that dream. She is a USAG Professional Member, and is USAG Safety and KAT (Kinder Accreditation Training) Certified as well as Red Cross CPR and first aid certified. While Debi coaches gymnastics classes and monitors all of the programs offered at LKNGA to insure that the quality of education is second to none, she also continuously introduces new and innovative programs in order to offer something for everyone in our community. Debi is very well respected among her peers and she cares very deeply for every one of our athletes, working hard to help each one strive to be their best.
Teresa Royko-Owner
Teresa has over 25 years of administrative management experience as well 13 years experience owning and operating two real estate investment companies. She has been an active volunteer in the local school system and has taught Sunday school and vacation bible school for many years. Teresa always loved gymnastics as a child and although she never competed, she has always been drawn to the sport. Owning the gym with her best friend, Debi has been a wonderful way to remain close to the excitement of gymnastics and sports in general. She is a USAG Professional Member and is USAG Safety Certified, Red Cross CPR and first aid certified.
Kristen Taffi - Manager/Gymnastics Instructor
Kristen has been with LKNGA for five years as a progressive coach. She is also a Manager, and our birthday party,kid's night out and events coordinator. She is extremely knowledgable and versatile. Her students and their parents adore Kristen and her teaching methods. Kristen is a USAG Pro fessional Member and is USAG Safety Certified. Kristen is CPR certified and first aid certified.
Hollie Luther - Gymnastics Instructor/Cheer Coach
Hollie has been with LKNGA for nearly four years. She has been a competitive gymnast and a member of her state champion high school cheer squad. She has cheered at UNCC- the team was nationally ranked. Hollie coached gymnastics through high school and college and coached gymnastics professionally at a gym in her hometown of Ashboro, NC. Hollie is a USAG Member, is USAG Safety Certified, Pop Warner Safety Certified and Red Cross First Aid and CPR certified. Hollie has the unique ability to share her knowledge and love of gymnastics and cheerleading with her students.
Brian Moates - Cheer Director/Tumbling Instructor
Brian Moates is a 1999 Engineering graduate of Purdue University in West Lafayette, Indiana. He was a three year member of the top-five nationally ranked Boilermaker Varsity Cheerleading Squad. Brian moved to North Carolina in 2000 to further pursue his racing career and spent two years as a driver for the Richard Petty Driving Experience. Followed up by two years as a precision driver where he appeared in numerous TV commercials and toured the country debuting new vehicles for some the worlds most prestigious automotive brands. When Brian's daughter enrolled in our program it sparked his desire to become involved in cheerleading again! His passion for the sport is obvious and his students love him for it!
Karen Taylor - Monkeys In Motion Instructor
Karen teaches our mobile gymnastics class and is the Preschool Director at Unity Preschool here in Denver. She has over 25 years experience with young children as a former day care owner and preschool director. Karen has been with LKNGA for five years. She is CPR and First Aid Certified.
Delana Murdock-Instructor
Delana has five years as a gymnast, which she received here at LKNGA and she is a former member of our competitive compulsory team. Delana has been an instructor at LKNGA for five years. Her experience as a gymnast allows her to easily demonstrate and communicate with her students. She is a graduate of North Lincoln High School an will be attending UNC Charlotte in the fall. Delana is a USAG member and has her USAG Safety Certification, Red Cross CPR and First Aid certifications.
Joey Royko-Junior Instructor
Joey is a USAG Jr. certified instructor and has been assisting with classes at LKNGA for over four years. Joey works closely with our manager, assisting with Kid's Night Out, parties, special events and any other area he may be needed. He is also a yellow belt in Shaolin Kung Fu and a certified scuba diver. Joey has his Red Cross CPR and AED Certifications. He is a rising sophmore at North Lincoln High School.
Jason Royko-Junior Instructor
Jason works closely with our manager assisting with Kid's Night Out, parties, special events and any other area he may be needed. He is a graduate of North Lincoln High School and will attend NC State University where he plans to study Aerospace Engineering and participate in the Air Force ROTC. Jason is a licensed private pilot and a certified scuba diver. He is Red Cross CPR and first aid certified.
Mary McNeil-Office Assistant
As a retired elementary school teacher, mother of four and grandmother of 7(soon to be 8!), Mary has lots of experience with children. She believes it is most rewarding to see "the smile" on a child's face when they have accomplished a specific skill or technique. Working in LKNGA's office and helping you and your children is a privilege she truely enjoys. Mary has her Red Cross First Aid and CPR certifications.
Meredith Kistner - Team Head Coach
Meredith has 10 years as a competitive gymnast-Class 1 and was a Nationally ranked collegiate gymnast Division II-III. She has over 15 years experience coaching Levels 4 thru 10. Meredith knows how to draw the most out of every student and is a true motivator. She is a former gym owner and coach from the New Jersey area. Meredith is a USAG Pro Member, has a USAG Safety Certification and she is also Red Cross CPR and first aid certified.
Mindy Weber - Team Coach
Mindy is a former level 10 gymnast, with 7 years of competitive gymnastics experience. She is a regional and national qualifier and earned a full ride scholarship to the University of Alabama. After an injury cut her very promising college career short, Mindy returned to her passion - gymnastics! She is definately a gifted coach and easily imparts her knowledge to her students. Mindy is a USAG Pro Member and has a USAG Safety Certification. She is also certified in CPR and AED use through the American Heart Association.
Samantha McAulay - Dance Instructor
Samantha has 8 years of classical ballet training, and years of experience in jazz, tap and pointe. She also has several years experience in both gymnastics and cheerleading. “Miss Sam” has been coaching for three years and this is her second year with us here at LKNGA. Samantha is a senior at Mooresville Christian Academy. She plans to pursue a degree in education, and absolutely loves working with the children.
Matt Christiansen - Gymnastics Instructor
Matt is a USAG member and is currently working on his Safety Certification
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Lisa Williams - Gymnastics Instructor
Lisa started gymnastics at age three and was a competitive gymnast from age ten through age sixteen. She also cheered in middle school and high school. Lisa began coaching gymnastics in high school and became a judge. She coached at former US Olympic gymnast, Brandy Johnson’s gym in Clermont, Florida. Lisa has also coached Pop Warner Cheerleading, and led her team to Nationals at Walt Disney World! She coached an All Star team in Clermont before moving to North Carolina. Lisa has been coaching at LKNGA for three years.
Lori Kelley - Gymnastics Instructor At a young age Lori was introduced to gymnastics as a way to exhaust some of energy. She discovered quickly that she excelled in the sport and continued to become a competitive gymnast in Salt Lake City and Charlotte. Her love of the sport lured her to persue work teaching gymnastics in the Charlotte area. Lori is a USAG Member and USAG Safety Certified.
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Hali Epley - Gymnastics/Cheer Instructor
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Sidney "Rocky" Gordon - Junior Instructor
Sydney, or Rocky as she is affectionaltey known, began cheerleading in kindergarten and continued in the sport all through elementary, middle and currently she cheers at East Lincoln High School. She is also a member of the Lake Norman Lightning-Senior Squad here at LKNGA! Rocky trained for three years in gymnastics and dance and has ran track, played basketball, appeared in stage plays, several talent shows and won the 'Little Miss Sweetheart' Pageant, but she has always contiued her passion-Cheerleading. She broadens her knowledge by attending cheer camps, some of which include Gardner Webb Univiersity and Appalachian State University. Rocky is a rising junior at East Lincoln High School. Her course of study is Fine Arts and she plans to attend The American Music and Dance Academy in New York. Rocky is currently persuing her USAG Safety Certification.
Jessica Williams - Junior Instructor
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Mark Williams - Martial Arts Instructor
Mark is a well seasoned professional in the art of Kung Fu with over 30 years of experience under "his belt" as a student, competitor, instructor and mentor. His background is inTraditional Shaolin Kung Fu and it is quite extensive! He has trained regional, state, national and world champions throughout his career, and is again ready to add to this list! Mark relates to both children and adults in a way that makes everyone feel comfortable and confident.
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Brittany Abernathy - Gymnastics Instructor
Gymnastics and Cheerleading has always been a very big part of Brittany's life. She was a Level 8 State Champion in competiive power tumbling which includes floor, trampoline and double mini. Brittany also competed at Regional and National levels. She began cheerleading at age five and cheered for numberous all-star teams, middle and high school, where she won two State Championships and several National Championships. Brittany has cheered for UNC-Charlotte. Now, she has found a new 'home' @ LKNGA where her love of all the children is obvious and she loves coming to work! She is a USAG Member and is USAG Safety Certified.
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Mike Harvey - Gymnastics Instructor
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