April Allen, Owner and Director
april@bgcgym.com

April has worked as a coach and instructor for preschool through competitive levels of gymnastics since 1989. She has created and developed tumbling, gymnastics and cheer programs for gyms, dance studios, and cheer squads in Northern Kentucky, California, and Arizona. April worked as a coach at Los Angeles School of Gymnastics and Broadway Gymnastics School in California before moving to Phoenix to begin her own gymnastics school. In addition to coaching gymnastics, April worked as a substitute teacher in Compton, CA and taught high school in Phoenix, AZ. In Phoenix, April owned a mobile gymnastics and cheer school, traveling with equipment and coaches, and sending high school cheer squads to place in national competitions.

April was a competitive gymnast in the KY, OH, and Indiana Region for 8 years and a cheerleader throughout junior high and high school. In college she was a dancer for the Northern Kentucky University Dance Troupe, traveling and performing in live shows, including pre-shows for the Kentucky Derby. In Los Angeles April trained and performed as an acrobat in a circus. She also has experience as a dancer, actor, and performer in National TV commercials, company training videos, and musicals, in Cincinnati, Denver, Los Angeles, and Phoenix.

April holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Speech Communication with a minor in Dance from Northern Kentucky University and also studied dance at Santa Monica College in California. Mrs. Allen is a USA Gymnastics Professional member, Safety Certified by USA Gymnastics, Safety Certified by the American Association of Cheerleading Coaches and Advisors, and CPR and First Aid certified by the American Red Cross. She has also completed the Kinder Accreditation for Teachers and the Movement Education Lesson Plan Development courses offered by USA Gymnastics, the governing body of gymnastics in the USA. April continues to update her education through national and regional congresses offered by USA Gymnastics.

In June 2006, April and her husband relocated to Wisconsin to be closer to Family. She is excited about sharing her experience, love and knowledge of cheerleading and gymnastics.

Hobbies April enjoys:
Gymnastics of Course, and Kickboxing, swimming, hiking, rollerblading, snowboarding, camping, and spending time with friends, family and her dogs Maddy and Whiskey.

Favorite Food:
Mediterranean

Family:
Husband, Karl

Favorite TV shows:
Seinfeld, The Sopranos

Favorite music:
The Beatles

What she enjoys most about gymnastics:
Everything!

Heidi Fischer, assistant preschool director
heidi@bgcgym.com

Heidi grew up Cottage Grove, WI. She attended the UW-La Crosse where she received her B.S. IN Elementary Education with minors in early childhood and special education. Heidi has worked in the Early Childhood field since her senior year in High School and has had a variety of experiences with various age groups. She worked as a substitute teacher for grades pre-K through 12 in the Reedsburg, Wonewok, and Hillsboro school districts. She taught kindergarten for one year in Reedsburg, before she and her husband relocated back to Madison. Heidi then taught at The Mary Linsimeier Preschool located on the west side of Madison.

In 2003 Heidi and her Family made Brooklyn their hometown. She worked for 3 years at Heart of Brooklyn, where she taught preschoolers, toddlers, and infants.

Heidi has been a member of the Brooklyn Recreation committee since 2005. Currently she is the chairperson for the Fitchburg, Oregon, Brooklyn (FOB) trail advocates.

Heidi took gymnastics as a child and LOVED it. She has always included movement activities while teaching young children. Heidi is excited to have found a setting where she can incorporate her knowledge of child development with the awesome sport of gymnastics.

Hobbies and activities Heidi enjoys:
Quilting, baking, crochet, crafting, walking, biking, camping, and spending time with friends and Family.

Favorite food:
Italian (and chocolate)

Family:
Husband, Jeff and three children, Abigail, Nicholas and Tyler

Favorite TV show:
(current) Medium
(all time) Friends

Favorite Movie of all time:
The Sound Of Music

Favorite Musician :
James Taylor

What she enjoys most about teaching:
Seeing the excitement in a child when they accomplish a new skill

Rita Robinson, cheerleading and recreational gymnastics teacher
rita@bgcgym.com

Rita graduated from Oregon high school in 2003, and graduated in 2007 from UW-Whitewater with her Bachelor of Business Administration degree in Accounting. She is currently working on her Master of Professional Accountancy degree at UW-Whitewater and plans to graduate in May 2008.

Since 1998 Rita has been involved in and has participated in many cheerleading and gymnastics activities including the Macy’s Parade in NYC. She took tumbling for 2 years in high school. Rita cheered four years on the Oregon High School Varsity cheerleading squad, where she and her squad competed in regional and National competitions. In 2002 her squad took first place in the UPA National cheerleading competition in Minneapolis.

Since high school graduation Rita has been the assistant cheerleading coach at Oregon High School. In 2006 she helped coach the team to a first place State championship.

Rita is extremely passionate about both cheerleading and gymnastics and can not wait to share it with you and your child!

Hobbies and Activities Rita enjoys (although working on Masters Degree uses all of her time):
Going to movies, shopping, reading, and spending time with Family and friends.

Favorite Food:
Pasta

Favorite TV show:
Ugly Betty

Favorite Movie:
The Notebook

Favorite Music:
Country

What do you enjoy most about teaching?:
The excitement from the students when they “get” something… learn a new skill and feel successful.

Tricia Bisch


Tricia graduated from Evansville High School in 2006. She is presently studying Nursing and Spanish at UW-Madison. Throughout high school Tricia participated in a variety of activities, including both cheerleading and poms. Through cheerleading, Tricia was able to attend Universal Cheer Camps and was awarded the “All Star” award a number of times. Tricia has taught and choreographed jazz dance and funk. In 2004, she helped lead her high school poms squad to the State Competition. Tricia also taught violin and dance to children in Evansville’s DYA program. She also coached children at pom and cheerleading clinics. Tricia helps teach preschool and parent-n-tot gymnastics classes and recreational cheer classes at Brooklyn Gymnastics & Cheer. She also teaches summer camps. Tricia is eager to share her knowledge and love of cheer, dance and gymnastics!

Mariah Haberman


Mariah is a sophomore student at the University of Wisconsin-OshKosh where she studies Advertising and Public Relations. She has been a competitive dancer since the age of 13, and in 2004, she helped lead the Evansville High School Poms squad to the State Championship. Mariah has coached and taught dance through dance and cheer clinics and girl scouts.

Mariah is a presently a dancer and a main choreographer on the UW-OshKosh hip hop team. She will be at Brooklyn Gymnastics & Cheer during Summer Break from school to teach cheerleading and summer camps. Mariah is excited to share her passion for dance and cheer!