MEET OUR TEAM
Cathy Brussel
Cathy joins the Starz Gymnastics faculty with ten years of gymnastics experience. Cathy received her gymnastics training as a part of the Summit Summies Program. During her time there, she also participated in their competitive gymnastics program until injuries prevented her from continuing. Cathy's teaching background, attention to detail, and energy ensure that her classes are both safe and fun! She enjoys working with our young gymnasts to help them achieve new skills and accomplish their goals. Cathy is a member of USA Gymnastics and holds many coaching certifications through USA Gymnastics’ School of Recreational Gymnastics. We are so happy to welcome Cathy to our faculty!
Victoria Constantino
Victoria joins us with a passion for gymnastics which has been developed throughout her many years in the sport. She is a graduate from William Patterson University with a degree in Early Childhood Education and currently teaches 5th grade. She started gymnastics and dance at age 3 and has trained extensively in ballet, jazz, lyrical, tap, and acro through high school. In middle school she began her teaching journey as an assistant to her own dance teachers. After graduation, she followed in their footsteps and began teaching her own classes. Victoria is USAG safety certified and a certified Professional member. With Victoria’s background working with all ages and styles and her warm personality, we are sure your child will enjoy working with her!
Elizabeth Fisher
Elizabeth joins us with a passion for gymnastics which has been developed throughout her many years in the sport. She started gymnastics at age 3, when she began taking classes at a local YMCA. Since that first class she has maintained her involvement in gymnastics, whether it be through participating in gymnastics herself or coaching others to success. Elizabeth began coaching in high school and was able to refine her coaching methods by working with high level coaches in the area. Having developed a balance between fun and technique, she has coached all levels of gymnastics from recreational classes to team programs. She comes to us from Ancient City Gymnastics in Florida where she coached their XCEL Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum, and Diamond team programs. Elizabeth is USA Gymnastics safety certified and a certified Professional member.
Shannon Garahan
Shannon is a member of USA Gymnastics, is safety certified, and has been trained in School Aged Hands on Training through USA Gymnastics’ School of Recreational Gymnastics. Having trained as a gymnast since she was very young, her specialty is working with our young gymnasts. She is very happy to be sharing her knowledge of gymnastics with her young students. Her high energy and love of working with children helps her prepare our youngest gymnasts to gain the skills they will need to advance to our upper levels and teams. She is a wonderful part of our Starz Gymnastics program.
Sue Garahan
Sue is a member of USA Gymnastics and a strong coaching force of our Starz Gymnastics program. She was a member of her high school gymnastics team as well as a cheerleader in both high school and college. She loves sharing her knowledge of gymnastics with our young gymnasts and specializes in acrobatics for the dancer and our young children’s programs. Sue is in charge of keeping all of our coaches up to date with the rules and regulations of being members of USA Gymnastics and scheduling courses for our coaches to keep them constantly up to date with the most current coaching skills, strategies, and safety certifications.
Shannon Hoffman
Shannon joins the Starz faculty with over ten years of gymnastics experience. Having begun gymnastics at the age of 6, Shannon quickly developed a love for the sport. She competed at various levels ultimately competing as a part of the North Brunswick High School Gymnastics Team and qualified and competed to four State Championship Competitions. Shannon is a member of USA Gymnastics and holds many coaching certifications through USA Gymnastics’ School of Recreational Gymnastics. Shannon enjoys working with our elementary and middle school gymnasts to help coach them to success. As a Fifth grade teacher, her background in child development helps her to push these students to achieve their goals while ensuring a safe and fun class. Shannon believes that the discipline, determination, and confidence learned through gymnastics will help each one of our students grow as a individual and a gymnast!
Brittany Kernusz
Coach Brittany has been involved in cheerleading since the 5th grade. She was introduced to coaching competitive cheerleading in 2005, and made captain of her high school varsity cheerleading team in 2008. In 2009, Brittany continued coaching cheerleading and gymnastics while competing on an International Open level 5 team. She has competed at numerous national competitions, including the cheerleading Worlds, and placed top 5 at the U.C.A Nationals. Certified in First Aid, CPR, and AED, and is certified in the fundamentals of gymnastics through USAG. Her favorite thing about coaching is meeting young athletes who share the same passion for tumbling and cheer, and passing on to them all that she has learned throughout the years.
Jordan Simon
Jordan is a member of USA Gymnastics and is Safety Certified. She started taking gymnastics and dance as a child and has continued to train consistently throughout the years. She is currently going to Monmouth University to pursue a degree in Early Childhood Education. Her passion for working with young children makes her a wonderful coach for our youngest gymnasts. Jordan’s patience and enthusiasm helps our gymnasts succeed at any level. She is also on the staff of Center Stage as a Ballet, Tap, and Jazz/Hip Hop Instructor.
Julie Thick
Julie is co-owner/producer of the Off-Broadstreet Theatre which celebrates its 30th anniversary this year. She has choreographed over 75 musicals for the Hopewell Dessert Theatre. Julie is a member of the DEA and PDTA dance associations and has taught in NYC at the Ed Sullivan Theatre and Broadway Dance Center. Julie has worked at Center Stage since 1980 teaching tap, jazz and tumbling. As a performer, she worked with Mercedes Ellington and the late Frank Hatchett, as well as the late Gregory Hines in an open tap company and with Luigi’s Jazz. Julie continues to study with many teachers including Germaine Salsberg, and Luigi. Julie was the NJAIAW State Collegiate All Around Champion in Gymnastics.
Kaitlyn Van Allen
Kaitlyn began her performing career at a young age, beginning with ballet and tap, and then expanding as she got older. Over the years, through various technique and acro classes, she began to develop a love for tumbling. Seeking to strengthen her techniques and skill set, she was enrolled for several years in gymnastics summer camps. Kaitlyn found an appreciation for the entire sport, building on the foundation of the remaining events. Continuing with both dance and gymnastics, Kaitlyn tried out for her high school gymnastics team, immediately ranking at an advanced level and securing her position on the varsity team as a freshman. She continued to excel throughout her tenure by competing in every meet that was scheduled. By her senior year, she graduated with four years of varsity gymnastics, numerous coaches awards, and many years of dance before moving on to achieve her educational goals in college. After taking a break from the arts throughout college and the years after, she realized that she was missing what she enjoyed the most. Kaitlyn joined Center Stage and Starz Gymnastics to get back to her roots in artistic expression and encourage students to continue to do the same.