Our full- and part-time instructors are chosen for their teaching ability as well as their knowledge of gymnastics and their love for children. You can be sure that you are in good hands. We have a wonderful core staff that has been with us for 25+ years. Our staff, young and older, work together within our very structured gym schedule to be sure our gymnasts and ninjas are getting equal training on all events.
*Employees listed here currently work part-time/full-time in the office or leading their own groups in the gym. We have many wonderful support staff who are not listed here. They are greatly appreciated just the same and are a crucial piece of Gymnastics Village success.
Judy Shenk is the founder of Gymnastics Village established in 1976. She is a graduate of Boston University where she received a BS in Physical Education. Judy is now retired and still and active consultant and accountant for GV.
Deanna Shenk, is the Director, she has worked at GV since 1995. She is a graduate of the University of New Hampshire where she received a BS in Physical Education and a minor in Dance. Deanna is also the current Director of the Ninja Team Program.
Frederick Shenk is the son of founder Judy Shenk. Also known as Coach Fritz, or maybe even ‘coach french fry,’ currently teaches Ninja Challenge and GymKid 4 / 5 classes. For the last 30 years, Coach Fritz’s full time job has been an elementary school P.E. teacher. For many years, his second job was in soccer coaching and refereeing. He is so happy to be fully joining Gymnastics Village full-time after this 26/27 school year.
Lisa Moreno is the Assistant Director, she has worked at GV since 1996. She is a graduate of Syracuse University where she received a BS in Biology and also Nutrition and Mathematics Minors. Lisa is also the Director of the Girls Team Program and seasonally high school gymnastics coach for Bedford High School. Lisa is integral to the day to day operations at Gymnastics Village. She wears so many hats communicating with customers, staff and team parents constantly.
Lyudmyla Uruska has worked at GV since 2000. She is a graduate of the University of Termopol, Ukraine. As a young child, Lyudmyla trained as a rhythmic gymnast. She went on to coach rhythmic and artistic gymnastics. Initially Lyuda specialized in dance and choreography with our Girls Team. She went on to become our ‘3 year old expert’ and the Director of the Preschool Program. She is our early morning staffer setting up preschool stations, rarely ever missing a day of work. She has recently celebrated partial retirement and is working part-time now, primarily morning preschool with just a few afternoon Rec Classes.
Lisa Sumner has worked at GV since 2001. She worked full-time until recently, primarily coaching the Girls Team and Recreational Classes. She has also coached the Boys Team when needed. Lisa has worked as a gymnastics coach since her teen years and has dedicated her life to the art and science of teaching the physical skills and the life skills that follow.
Michael Ouellette
Petra Shenk has been an Instructor, Birthday Party leader and office staffer since 2018. She is a graduate of Keene State College with a BS in Film Studies. Petra enjoys working with children and for the family business while also pursuing her passion as a photographer and videographer.
Susan Catchpole is a team parent that went on to work at GV. Daughter Kira did recreational gymnastics, Alex was a Boys Team member and Nikola, a Girls Team member. Sue has worked in the office off and on over the last ten years. Sue is one of those amazing employees who is constantly telling our customers what a wonderful influence gymnastics has been in the lives of her children, two of whom went on to be collegiate gymnasts.
Lisa Eschuk is a full-time Assistant Coach for the Boys and Girls Team Programs. She has worked at GV since 2024. Lisa studied at UMass Amherst and Salem State where she also cheered. Soon after, she began coaching gymnastics full-time. She enjoys demanding excellence, while developing male and female athletes for competition.
Aaron Cournoyer is a full-time Assistant Coach for Boys Team and Recreational Instructor. Aaron has been at GV since 2024. As a young man, he was on a Boys Team at a gym in Omaha Nebraska, where he grew up. He is a graduate of Syracuse University where he received a BS in Film. Aside from working full-time at GV he is pursuing a Masters in Accounting at SNHU.
Zach Dancoes is a part-time Assistant Coach for the Girls Team. He is a graduate of Ohio State, where he received a BS in Mechanical Engineering and Minors in Nuclear Engineering and Economics. He is currently working on his Masters Degree at Johns Hopkins University. Zach grew up at GV as a member of the Boys Team Program. He did club gymnastics at Ohio State and still dabbles in competing in the United Club Gymnastics league.
Katie Heidbreder is a part-time Assistant Coach for the Girls Team. She is a graduate of Oklahoma University, where she received a BS in Microbiology. Katie grew up at GV as a member of the Girls Team Program. She never lost her love of the sport. The work ethic learned through gymnastics is in full effect as she works all day in a lab and then comes to GV and works into the night developing our team gymnasts.
Samantha Langevin
Bridget Powers
Matthew Chiccino
Erin Carter