MEet the coaches
Coach Jen
Jen has been the team director at the Y for 7 years. Her love for gymnastics began at the age of 4 and had continued through her elite career being on the Canadian national team followed by collegiate gymnastics at the University of Iowa. Her career as a gymnast has taught her many life lessons such as discipline, perseverance, teamwork, respect, determination, toughness and lifelong friendships. She loves seeing the growth of her gymnasts and coaches along with the excitement of new skills in the gym. This sport is so much more than flips and twists and giving back is what she loves to do knowing that hard work pays off! Fun fact: Jen has two younger sisters and one of them coaches at Chows in Iowa. And she also loves the board game Catan!
Jen has been the team director at the Y for 7 years. Her love for gymnastics began at the age of 4 and had continued through her elite career being on the Canadian national team followed by collegiate gymnastics at the University of Iowa. Her career as a gymnast has taught her many life lessons such as discipline, perseverance, teamwork, respect, determination, toughness and lifelong friendships. She loves seeing the growth of her gymnasts and coaches along with the excitement of new skills in the gym. This sport is so much more than flips and twists and giving back is what she loves to do knowing that hard work pays off! Fun fact: Jen has two younger sisters and one of them coaches at Chows in Iowa. And she also loves the board game Catan!
Coach Abby
Abby has been working at the YMCA for two years! She was a competitive gymnast for 10 years. She retired from the sport the summer of 2019 ending her training as an Xcel Platinum. Although she no longer trains, nothing could keep her away from the sport she loves and coaching others. Working at the Y has been a blessing and a reward for Abby, coaching alongside many wonderful people and being surrounded with so much joy and excitement about the sport. Outside of the Y, Abby also enjoys activities such as soccer, traveling, and spending time with family. She is currently in her second year of college and would love to study to be an athletic trainer when she is older. A fun fact about her is that she is bilingual, Spanish being her first language.
Abby has been working at the YMCA for two years! She was a competitive gymnast for 10 years. She retired from the sport the summer of 2019 ending her training as an Xcel Platinum. Although she no longer trains, nothing could keep her away from the sport she loves and coaching others. Working at the Y has been a blessing and a reward for Abby, coaching alongside many wonderful people and being surrounded with so much joy and excitement about the sport. Outside of the Y, Abby also enjoys activities such as soccer, traveling, and spending time with family. She is currently in her second year of college and would love to study to be an athletic trainer when she is older. A fun fact about her is that she is bilingual, Spanish being her first language.
Coach Danielle
Danielle has coached a variety of levels at the YMCA over the years but most recently coaches Level 4 as well as a pre-team group. She recently made her return to coaching in 2022 after taking time off to raise her two sons, Carter and Grant. Danielle's coaching style puts a big emphasis on form and presentation and it really shows in the gymnasts she coaches. In her free time, Danielle enjoys spending time with her family, two dogs, Briscoe and Dash, and teaching fitness classes.
Danielle has coached a variety of levels at the YMCA over the years but most recently coaches Level 4 as well as a pre-team group. She recently made her return to coaching in 2022 after taking time off to raise her two sons, Carter and Grant. Danielle's coaching style puts a big emphasis on form and presentation and it really shows in the gymnasts she coaches. In her free time, Danielle enjoys spending time with her family, two dogs, Briscoe and Dash, and teaching fitness classes.
Coach Eileen
Eileen has been coaching gymnastics at the Y for 13 years. She currently coaches level 3-her favorite competitive level to coach. Over the years, Eileen has had so much fun coaching all levels of recreational classes and gymnastics camp. Eileen was a gymnast for 13 years, retiring as a level 8. Eileen works full-time as an elementary special education teacher in Arlington. In her free time, she likes reading tutoring and spending time traveling with friends. Her go-to fun fact is that she can walk on her hands….but since that’s the norm here… Fun Fact: She beat her sister Coach Meg in chin ups during high school gym class 😀
Eileen has been coaching gymnastics at the Y for 13 years. She currently coaches level 3-her favorite competitive level to coach. Over the years, Eileen has had so much fun coaching all levels of recreational classes and gymnastics camp. Eileen was a gymnast for 13 years, retiring as a level 8. Eileen works full-time as an elementary special education teacher in Arlington. In her free time, she likes reading tutoring and spending time traveling with friends. Her go-to fun fact is that she can walk on her hands….but since that’s the norm here… Fun Fact: She beat her sister Coach Meg in chin ups during high school gym class 😀
Coach Grace
Grace has been coaching at the YMCA of Metro North for 5 years! She has taught all recreational classes, camp, and birthday parties! Grace coaches the XCEL Bronze team as well as XCEL Silver and other teams as needed! She is currently going into her junior year at Salem State as a business major with a dance minor to one day open up her own dance studio! Grace has been a dancer and cheerleader her whole life, but loves coaching gymnastics just as much! Grace is not only a gymnastics coach but is also a dance teacher and the varsity assistant coach for the Saugus High cheerleading team! A fun fact about Grace is that she has skied down black diamonds in the Colorado mountains!
Grace has been coaching at the YMCA of Metro North for 5 years! She has taught all recreational classes, camp, and birthday parties! Grace coaches the XCEL Bronze team as well as XCEL Silver and other teams as needed! She is currently going into her junior year at Salem State as a business major with a dance minor to one day open up her own dance studio! Grace has been a dancer and cheerleader her whole life, but loves coaching gymnastics just as much! Grace is not only a gymnastics coach but is also a dance teacher and the varsity assistant coach for the Saugus High cheerleading team! A fun fact about Grace is that she has skied down black diamonds in the Colorado mountains!
Coach Jessie
Jessie has been coaching at the Y for 16 years, and has coached most levels in that time. Jessie competed through level 9 for our program, as well as on the club teams at the University of New England and Boston University where she studied Occupational Therapy. Jessie works as a pediatric occupational therapist helping infants and toddlers learn to eat and walk. Outside of the gym she loves to dance, drink coffee, and do anything Disney related. Find her around the gym spotting bars, choreographing floor routines, and putting drills together!
Jessie has been coaching at the Y for 16 years, and has coached most levels in that time. Jessie competed through level 9 for our program, as well as on the club teams at the University of New England and Boston University where she studied Occupational Therapy. Jessie works as a pediatric occupational therapist helping infants and toddlers learn to eat and walk. Outside of the gym she loves to dance, drink coffee, and do anything Disney related. Find her around the gym spotting bars, choreographing floor routines, and putting drills together!
Coach Lauren
Lauren has been coaching at the YMCA for 16 years. In those 16 years she has coached just about every level, but currently coaches levels 6, 7, and 8 and XCEL Platinum. Lauren also competed for the YMCA (back when we were located in Melrose) growing up and retired at level 7. Lauren's favorite event to coach is floor. In her free time, Lauren loves to travel and also works in marketing for a travel agency that sells cruises. Fun fact, she has been on nine cruises! When not at the gym or traveling, you can find her hanging out with her dog, Leia.
Lauren has been coaching at the YMCA for 16 years. In those 16 years she has coached just about every level, but currently coaches levels 6, 7, and 8 and XCEL Platinum. Lauren also competed for the YMCA (back when we were located in Melrose) growing up and retired at level 7. Lauren's favorite event to coach is floor. In her free time, Lauren loves to travel and also works in marketing for a travel agency that sells cruises. Fun fact, she has been on nine cruises! When not at the gym or traveling, you can find her hanging out with her dog, Leia.
Coach Leighann
Leighann has enjoyed coaching gymnastics for the last 17 years for a variety of programs. She began her devotion to gymnastics at the age of 3 and competed with the Melrose YMCA team from 2004-2010, competed Level 9 her final year, while also competing with the Burlington High School team. Following high school, Leighann attended the University of Vermont (UVM), and competed with their team for 4 years. Ending her competitive gymnastics career, she then continued with the UVM team as their coach, while in her Physical Therapy graduate program. While continuing her professional career as Physical Therapist, Leighann has been fortunate to be able to continue her love of gymnastics, by coaching the Metro North Twisters. She is currently coaching Levels 4, 6, 7, 8, and XCEL Platinum.
Leighann has enjoyed coaching gymnastics for the last 17 years for a variety of programs. She began her devotion to gymnastics at the age of 3 and competed with the Melrose YMCA team from 2004-2010, competed Level 9 her final year, while also competing with the Burlington High School team. Following high school, Leighann attended the University of Vermont (UVM), and competed with their team for 4 years. Ending her competitive gymnastics career, she then continued with the UVM team as their coach, while in her Physical Therapy graduate program. While continuing her professional career as Physical Therapist, Leighann has been fortunate to be able to continue her love of gymnastics, by coaching the Metro North Twisters. She is currently coaching Levels 4, 6, 7, 8, and XCEL Platinum.
Coach Maryemma
Maryemma has been coaching at the YMCA of Metro North for 2 years! Throughout these 2 years Maryemma started out teaching recreational classes (Rising Stars and Advanced being her favorite), to eventually coaching XCEL Gold and Level 4s! Growing up Maryemma started cheerleading at the age of 4 and continued throughout her high school career as Captain of the Saugus High Varsity Cheerleading team.
Although Maryemma was not a gymnast, she found a passion for learning the sport through coaching! Maryemma is attending North Shore Community College where she is studying Human Services to become a social worker! Fun fact about Maryemma is that she has done 15 back handsprings in a row!
Maryemma has been coaching at the YMCA of Metro North for 2 years! Throughout these 2 years Maryemma started out teaching recreational classes (Rising Stars and Advanced being her favorite), to eventually coaching XCEL Gold and Level 4s! Growing up Maryemma started cheerleading at the age of 4 and continued throughout her high school career as Captain of the Saugus High Varsity Cheerleading team.
Although Maryemma was not a gymnast, she found a passion for learning the sport through coaching! Maryemma is attending North Shore Community College where she is studying Human Services to become a social worker! Fun fact about Maryemma is that she has done 15 back handsprings in a row!
Coach Meg
Meg has been coaching at the YMCA of Metro North since the summer of 2015. Over the years, she's coached Level 3, 4, 5. and 7 teams as well as many recreational classes from Tiny Tumblers and Rising Stars to Advanced. Meg also coaches the Wakefield Memorial High School Varsity gymnastics team and works full-time as a school counselor there. When she's not coaching or at Wakefield High, Meg loves playing field hockey, babysitting, and making sure she can still beat her sister, Coach Eileen, in handstand contests!
Meg has been coaching at the YMCA of Metro North since the summer of 2015. Over the years, she's coached Level 3, 4, 5. and 7 teams as well as many recreational classes from Tiny Tumblers and Rising Stars to Advanced. Meg also coaches the Wakefield Memorial High School Varsity gymnastics team and works full-time as a school counselor there. When she's not coaching or at Wakefield High, Meg loves playing field hockey, babysitting, and making sure she can still beat her sister, Coach Eileen, in handstand contests!
Coach Mikaela
Mikaela did gymnastics for 17 years. It was a huge part of her life. She trained in western Massachusetts until she was a level 9 gymnast. Mikaela fell in love with the sport at a young age and enjoys seeing athletes love the same sport. Mikaela works as a full time 3rd grade elementary school teacher. When she isn’t in the gym she enjoys being with family/friends, traveling and baking. Fun fact about Mikaela is that she also did diving.
Mikaela did gymnastics for 17 years. It was a huge part of her life. She trained in western Massachusetts until she was a level 9 gymnast. Mikaela fell in love with the sport at a young age and enjoys seeing athletes love the same sport. Mikaela works as a full time 3rd grade elementary school teacher. When she isn’t in the gym she enjoys being with family/friends, traveling and baking. Fun fact about Mikaela is that she also did diving.
Coach Miryam
Miryam coaches the Silver gymnastics team. She starting coaching in high school at her alma mater Permian High School in Odessa, Texas, famous for “Friday Night Lights”. She has coached classes, middle school gymnastics team, level 2, 3 & Silvers. She started coaching at the YMCA in 2014 and has loved getting to encourage, inspire & get to know many gymnast over the years! It is so special to look around the gym and see so many hard working girls who she had the privilege to coach at one time or another. She fell in love with gymnastics in elementary school and loved competing all the way through her senior year! When she’s not coaching she loves to spend time with her family of 7. She has a husband, 2 daughters, 2 sons, and a foster baby. Two other passions of hers include hosting community events and spending time with her TrueVine church family. She is excited to have another strong season with the Silvers, go Twisters!
Miryam coaches the Silver gymnastics team. She starting coaching in high school at her alma mater Permian High School in Odessa, Texas, famous for “Friday Night Lights”. She has coached classes, middle school gymnastics team, level 2, 3 & Silvers. She started coaching at the YMCA in 2014 and has loved getting to encourage, inspire & get to know many gymnast over the years! It is so special to look around the gym and see so many hard working girls who she had the privilege to coach at one time or another. She fell in love with gymnastics in elementary school and loved competing all the way through her senior year! When she’s not coaching she loves to spend time with her family of 7. She has a husband, 2 daughters, 2 sons, and a foster baby. Two other passions of hers include hosting community events and spending time with her TrueVine church family. She is excited to have another strong season with the Silvers, go Twisters!