Sterling Academy of Gymnastics, Dance, Martial Arts, Fitness, Cheerleading

Gymnastics Staff

Dance Staff

Martial Arts Staff

Customer Service Staff

All staff at Sterling Academy of Gymnastics are checked against CORI & SORI prior to employment, for your safety. Staff members are also professional members of USA Gymnastics, through which a national background check is performed prior to membership renewal. In addition, Sterling Gym maintains Safety Certifications and staff members receive annual training in American Red Cross First Aid and CPR.

John and Nancy Carbone, Owners

On November 16, 1992, Sterling Academy of Gymnastics opened its doors with one set of bars, one beam, and 100 students enrolled. John and Nancy, business owners and managers of a small construction company for 25 years, began Sterling Academy with high hopes and dreams.

Nancy has been involved in gymnastics since 1978 when her children took up the sport. Her son Matthew competed at a local club and at Sterling Gymnastics and finally at Syracuse University until 1997. During this time, Nancy had been part of the parent's organization for gymnastics.

John and Nancy's role as owners is not the typical one. John, licensed in construction for 25 years, takes on any project handed to him. You will find him plowing the parking lot, working the counter, or building a 12,000 sq ft addition. John is the silent partner, the Jack of all Trades, and the one who works his butt off to get things done.

Nancy's role as owner, bookkeeper, business manager and class instructor is a tough one to balance. But like John, Nancy also does the dirty work. She wouldn't think twice about cleaning the bathroom, emptying the trash or cleaning up what other people have left behind.

Today, Sterling Academy has expanded to Dance, Martial Arts, Rock Climbing, Cheering, Fitness, Summer Camp, Cartwheels Cafe, and so much more. The gym has grown by 12,000 feet including a new Pre-school gym. To say the least, Nancy and John put everything they have into Sterling Academy. You can usually find them at the gym in the morning, noon, and night, not to mention weekends and special events. They have made the gym, not only bigger and better, but because of their skills and perseverance, they have given thousands of children the opportunity to become stronger, more confident and hopefully fulfill their dreams too.

Nancy:
1. USA Gymnastics Safety Certified
2. First Aid and CPR Certified
3. USA Gymnastics Meet Director Certified
4. USA Gymnastics Professional Member

Bob Donahue

Bob has been with Sterling Academy of Gymnastics since 1993 and currently runs our Boy's Team Program and served as the USA Gymnastics State Director from 1990 to 2000. Bob competed for the University of Massachusetts at Amherst and graduated with a degree in Physical Education in 1981. Bob worked at the United States Gymnastics Training Center here in New England until 1992 and also served as the Boy's Program Director. Bob is an avid athlete and continues to instill the importance of perseverance and hard work in his students.

1. B.S. in Physical Education
2. USA Gymnastics Boys Program, State Director
3. USA Gymnastics Safety Certified
4. First Aid and CPR Certified
5. USA Gymnastics Professional Member

Jay Lewenczuk

At Sterling Academy of Gymnastics, Jason has been Summer Camp Director and Swimming Instructor since 1993 and Facilities Manager since Summer of 2004. Jay is a graduate from Springfield College, with a B.S. in Business Management. He also did graduate work towards a Masters degree in Education. After graduating from college Jay was the Head Coach for the Men's Gymnastics team at Springfield College and Assistant Coach at James Madison University.

1. B.S. in Business Management
2. Certified Swimming Instructor and Lifeguard
3. CPR & First Aid Certified

Amy Hebert

Amy is all smiles, and continuously beams that positive attitude towards her gymnasts. She can motivate the kids to do almost anything while they are having fun. Amy's experience extends back to her childhood, when she competed as an Optional Gymnast in a local club. She knows what it takes to win, what it takes to grow, and what it means to enjoy the sport of Gymnastics. Prior to joining the Sterling Team, she was the Director of several Gymnastics programs,including recreational, AAU, and optional programs.

Amy briefly left gymnastics to get her Master's degree in Geological Oceanography at Texas A&M University. While in Texas, she was promoted to Lab Supervisor and chosen for a highly competitive research trip in the Pacific Ocean where only 16 students from select schools across the country were asked to participate. Just before graduation, Amy's presentation won first prize from the program at Texas A&M.

Amy has been at Sterling Gymnastics for 7 years, and in 2005, she was promoted to Girl's Team Director. Amy strives to master the art of coaching by attending many conferences and workshops for coaches in order to provide an optimal instructional environment for the team program. Her motivation is easily seen everyday in the gym. Sterling Academy is fortunate to have Amy on staff and leading our Girl's Teams to victory!

1. B.S. in Earth Science
2. M.S. in Oceanography
3. USA Gymnastics Safety Certified
4. First Aid and CPR Certified
5. USA Gymnastics Professional Development Program - Level 1 & 2
6. USA Gymnastics Professional Member

Michael Plourde

Although Mike is originally from New Hampshire, he has been coaching in Southern California since 2002. As the program director at the U.S. Gymnastics Training Center, he was responsible for all phases of men's gymnastics, including Class VI through Elite, and Future Stars gymnasts. Mike's past experience was as Head Coach at NHAAG, Asst. Coach at UNH, and Men's program Clinician. A USAG Judge, Mike will bring a unique perspective to our program.

1. B.S. Exercise Science from UMass
2. So. CA Men's Gymnastics Assoc., Secretary
3. National Gymnastics Judges Assoc.
4. USAG Professional Member
5. USAG Safety Certified
6. CPR & First Aid Certified

Teomi Cole

Teomi has been with Sterling Academy of Gymnastics since 1994 and is one of our primary Pre-School Instructors. She has trained at Becker College for Developmental Child Psychology as well as completing the Systematic Training for Effective Parenting or S.T.E.P. Program levels 1 and 2. Teomi also completed the USA Gymnastics Kinder Accreditation Program in 1997, which is a National Training Program set up to train Pre-School gymnastics instructors.

1. USA Gymnastics Safety Certified
2. First Aid and CPR Certified
3. USA Gymnastics Professional Developmental Program - Level 1
4. USA Gymnastics Kinder Accreditation Program (Pre-School)
5. USA Gymnastics Professional Member

Tina Hubbard

Tina comes to us with a great background in P.E. having taught at several schools. Currently, Tina is the Director of Pre-School Programs at Sterling Academy. Prior to this, she was a gymnastics instructor at a local gym, at which time she also reached her goals of certification with USA Gymnastics. Tina has been a gymnastics instructor for the past 13 years.

You will always see Tina smiling as she interacts with the children. Having two children of her own gives her good insight into what children need, and she applies this knowledge well in our facility.

1. USA Gymnastics PDP Level 1
2. USA Gymnastics Kinder Kat
3. First Aid Certification
4. CPR Certification

Joyce Alsdorf

Joyce joined the staff of Sterling Academy in 2002 as one of our pre-school teachers and has become one of our most valued instructors. Her Toddler classes are sought after by many customers. She has also served as a professional ice skating instructor for over 10 years, as well as a Basic Skills Coordinator and Program Director. Her experience in the field of recreational sports and children is a great asset to our pre-school program here at Sterling Academy.

Melissa Gustafson

'Missie' joined Sterling Academy in 2002 as a Pre-School teacher and currently helps coach the compulsory levels 4, 5 and 6 girls' teams. She also works with Sterling Martial Arts' Little Samurai program. In addition, she finds time to be a soccer coach for one of Lancaster U12 girls team. Prior to working at Sterling, she was a licensed nurse and child care provider. She has two girls who are both currently on the teams at SAG, and between working and commuting, you can almost always find her at the gym. Missie continues to develop her coaching techniques as well as find new ways to bring fun into her classes.

1. USA Gymnastics Safety Certified
2. USAG Professional Member 3. First Aid and CPR Certified

Jen Gendron

Jen is a former student and team member who has returned to us, now in the coaching department. She attended UMASS-Amherst with a gymnastics scholarship, where she competed for their collegiate team at home and abroad. She graduated and double majored in Elementary Education and Sociology. Jen has been active in gymnastics for over 12 years and will be coaching our Prep-Opt and Team as well as recreational classes. Jen is also a member of the Star Tyme All-Stars Open Team.

1. B.S. in Elementary Education
2. M.E.D. in Elementary Education

Cathleen LLanso

Cathy literally launched her gymnastics career from her childhood living room couch (this is not recommended!) and was put to an immediate stop when her mother caught her doing "front handsprings" over the back of her lovely living room furniture. Cathy's mother immediately enrolled her into a local gymnastics program where she continued to train and compete through her early teens. She later used her gymnastic skills to compete in the National Cheerleading Association competitive cheerleading program where she was awarded the NCA All American Cheerleader Award. She has a degree from Boston College in Elementary Education and a concentration in Theater Arts. She also studied abroad at the Abbey Theater in Dublin, Ireland. Although Cathy loved acting and performing she found she loved teaching elementary school children even more. She is a former 1st grade teacher, now busy with her own three children (two girls here at SAG- the two cuties in the picture with her) and helping run Legacy Publishing Group, the stationery and fine gifts company she and her sisters started twelve years ago. Cathy is looking forward to a fun and exciting year filled with cartwheels, hopping, skipping, leaping,singing, rolling, and of course lots and lots of giggling.

1. First Aid & CPR Certified

Melissa Joyce

Melissa started with Sterling Academy in 2005 as one of our newest faces in the gym. She has been a Grade School teacher since 1993 and a gymnastics instructor since 1990. Melissa is teaching several of our pre-school and grade school classes and is very excited about her new role as Director of the PREP Opt program. Can you guess what her favorite baseball team is??

1. USAG Safety Certification
2. First Aid & CPR Certified

Janice Staruk

Janice has been in the world of gymnastics for over 20 years now, having done everything from being a USGF competitor to a USAG Team coach. She holds a B.S. in child psychology and is a proud mother of 2 little ones. Janice's most recent experience has been with the USA PREP Opt Team program in Massachusetts, and is very excited to now be a part of Sterling's Team program.

1. B.S. in Child Behavioral Psychology
2. USA Professional Member
3. First Aid and CPR Certified
4. USAG Safety Certified

Matt Carbone

Matt returned to Sterling Gym in 2005 after a 14 year international adventure where he worked in Communications, Humanitarian Response and Disaster relief efforts. Having earned a degree in Industrial Design from Syracuse University in 1997, he went on to Manage the Center for Really Neat Research in Syracuse, New York for 5 years, then moved to North Carolina to run his own business developing products for the military, industrial, medical, and dental industries. During all this time, he was also a member of the Synergy Strike Team, which was an international team of specialists who both developed technology for and participated in large scale events such as the SuperBowl, DARPA Grand Challenge, and First Flight Centennial. Now back to his roots in gymnastics, Matt is working at Sterling Gym as the webmaster, graphics guru, photographer, class instructor, and IT dept. He also maintains a "night job" working in product manufacturing and sign making. If you look around the gym, you might notice some of his work hanging on the walls.

1. BID in Industrial Design
2. USAG Safety Certification and Pro-Member
3. Red Cross First Aid and CPR Certified

Maria Vazquez-Benson

Maria Vazquez-Benson has returned to Sterling Academy of Dance as the new Director of Dance. Maria has been dancing since the second grade and although she has been trained in many different genres of dance, her passion is for Hip Hop. She will be teaching several classes this year and coordinating all of the extra dance activities and events. She has worked previously at the Worcester County Sheriff's Office, Shriver Job Corps as the leadership coordinator and at the LUK Crisis Center with clients from the ages of 2-20. Her prior work experience has given her the opportunity to develop her people skills, organizational skills, and to sharpen her creativity. While attending Fitchburg State College, where she received two BAs in Criminal Justice and Sociology, she also began teaching dance classes as a member of their dance club and at Tami's Dance Connection. She has been teaching here since 2002 and took last year off to get married and have her first child. She is a ball of energy and excited to be back, doing what she loves to do.

1. BA in Criminal Justice and Sociology
2. First Aid & CPR Certified

Emily Gilbert

Sterling Academy of Dance is proud to introduce Emily Gilbert as the new Lead Instructor of Dance Programs. Emily will be teaching several classes for us this Fall. Emily graduated from Framingham State College where she began teaching her own classes for 4 years. She is enthusiastic about teaching the dance program at Sterling and always brings a smile along with her. Emily has also worked with special needs children in teaching them dance and art.

1. BFA in Art

Kremi Ivanov

Kremi came to the United States from Bulgaria in 1996. She has been involved with gymnastics from a young age and when she married Ivan Ivanov, she also married the sport of gymnastics. Kremi graduated in 1995 from an Industrial Chemistry School in Bulgaria. When she first came to the US, she stayed in Oklahoma and spent much her time at Bart Connor's Gymnastics. Kremi came to New England in 1997 and began working at Sterling Academy in 2000. Kremi had her first child, Michael, in 2003, and is working at the front desk. Be sure to say "zdravei" to Kremi next time you see her! (Zdravei is Bulgarian for "hello"!)

Heather Carbone

Heather wears many hats here at Sterling. A former gymnast herself, she has stayed involved behind the scenes. Heather manages the office and always greets each customer with a smile. She can answer most questions quickly and efficiently, and her organizational skills are exceptional. She also handles all marketing materials and fundraising efforts. Sterling is lucky to have Heather on staff!