Chery's Gymnastics and Beyond

Head Gymnastics Staff
Under the direction of Chery Bessette

Chery Bessette - Owner and Director, has directed and taught gymnastics since 1982. Has experienced nine years of the sport (4 years of competing). Is a professional member and is safely certified by the U.S. Gymnastics Federation since 1990 and has been certified in CPR and First Aid for many years and was previously an emergency medical technician. Was program director for a gym club in Louisiana for 3 years. She was head coach of the Kenston High School Gymnastics Team for 4 years. Was director/ coordinator from 1986-2001 for Auburn/ Bainbridge Recreation gymnastics program. Was head coach for the Geauga Y.M.C.A. Gymnastics Team from 1989-2006, producing many individual champions in levels 5, 6, 7, and 8 also Northeast Ohio Y.M.C.A. District Team Champions in 2003 and 2006. Was program director at a successful local gym center for the last 19 years. Has been a volunteer naturalist for the Geauga Park District since 2005 and a storyteller of Native American Folklore. Also managed the Nature Center at the Centerville Mills Park from 2002-2005

Scott Lincoln - has coached Kenston Community Education children’s baseball, volleyball, and soccer since 1994 and has been teaching preschool/school age gymnastics since 1998 and was an assistant coach for the Geauga Y.M.C.A. Gymnastics Team from 2000-2006. Scott is an avid marathon runner and is certified in CPR.

Katie Clark - B.S. in Dance Education, has 10 years of gymnastics training and has been teaching gymnastics and creative dance since 1991 in the area and at Gilmore Elementary since 2005. She was Dance Program Director in North Carolina for three years, and is certified in CPR.

Amy Cogan - Has five years experience in Tap and Jazz. Amy has been teaching Horseback riding since 1999 and gymnastics since 2003. She also worked as the program director for YMCA camps from 1999 to 2004, as well as the Daycare Site Administrator at a YMCA for one year. Currently, she is working towards her degree in Science and Mathematics education and is certified in CPR, First Aid, and has been a member of Certified Horsemanship Association.

Emily Thompson - Has 13 years of experience in gymnastics from 1991 to 2005 and competed for 6 years until Level 8. She has taught preschool through team levels since 2004. Emily is currently studying at Lakeland Community College to earn a degree in Early Childhood Education.

Special Programs Staff

Art Instructors
Matt Blowers - Has spent over 15 years working with children in small classes, that are known for their very big, adult style projects. An endless array of projects, already fine tuned by young hands under his instruction, are available to be crafted in his classes. He has done work for The White House over the years, and is a nationally sold artist at theater gift shops. He is also a poet, songwriter, singer, and actor which he incorporates often into his art classes. He currently organizes a dodgeball game in the area. He is Certified in CPR.

Lynn Grove - Has B.A. in Literature & Minor/ Int Elementary Education. Has taught disability awareness to school age children since 2001. In 2002 she began giving art lessons specializing in developmentally appropriate art and related science. As an artist in the private sector, Lynn currently focuses on sculpture, costuming, handmade crafts, and sanctuary art. She is CPR certified.

Kristine Leffler - B.S. in Art Education (Pre K-12). Is certified in CPR/AED & First Aid, has been teaching art since 2004, specializing in photography and drawing. Has taught art at Chery’s Gymnastics and Beyond since 2006 and enjoys every minute of it! Also loves sports, especially baseball.

Mary Thomas - Has a B.S. in industrial design. She has been in the design field since 1998 working with two and three dimensional design for museums. Mary has worked for the Cleveland Museum of Art since 2001. She has passionately taught youth crafts since 1995. She would like to share her love of the arts with your child.

NEW! Kindermusik
Kristi Mathews - received her Bachelor’s of Arts degree in Music and Theatre from Heidelberg College in 2005, and will receive her Master of Arts degree in Theatre Studies from Kent State University in August 2007. Kristi devoted much of her undergraduate life to performing in various musical theatre productions and singing ensembles, including the Heidelberg College Concert Choir. In addition to Kindermusik, Kristi enjoys teaching theatre and plans to one day run a drama program at the high school level. She and her husband Jason currently reside in Stow, and they enjoy attending music, theatre, and dance events throughout Northeast Ohio. Kristi is very excited to join the Kindermusik community and to exercise her strong belief in the power of music and the arts to enhance the lives of children while shaping countless possibilities for the future.

Karate
Mildred Price, Sensei - has been training in Martial Arts since 1991. Currently holds a 2 degree Black Belt in Shorin-Ryu Karate and presently training in weaponry. Mildred currently trains under instructor Sensei Jayne Butram at the Okinawan Karate Center in Chesterland

Dance / Cheerleading
Stephanie Peters-Walsh – Has been dancing since 1993 starting in Toronto, Canada and moved here in 2001. Stephanie holds numerous awards in Tap, Jazz, Hip Hop & Acro. She has studied with Cleveland School of the Arts expanding her knowledge of African Rhythm, ballet and is currently working toward a dance major. Has been teaching groups since 2004 and has also taken place in leadership programs and counselor with a Catholic youth organization.

NEW! Jayme Raleigh - Has a B.A. in Biology / Human Physiology and was a gymnast and power tumbler from 1987-2002. She began cheerleading in 1991 and has been involved in the All Star cheerleading industry since 2000 as a coach, competitor, consultant, choreographer, and nationally certified Cheerleading Judge. Jayme was a member of the nationally ranked Kent State University Coed Cheerleading squad for 3 years. She is USASF (US All Star Federation) certified instructor and safety certified in all areas of cheerleading from beginner through elite levels currently, since 2002.

Aime Migoe - Has been teaching cheer/dance since 2002. She has over 7 years of experience in the sport, 4 formal years and developed an interest for the sport at a very young age. She has conducted at mini camps for young cheerleaders.

Valerie Wood – BA in Business Administration, has 10 years of experience in gymnastics with 8 years of competing. Also has 7 years Cheerleading experience, 3 years Varsity cheerleader for Kent State University. Has been teaching cheer and tumbling since 1995 at private clubs, summer camps/ clinics and was an assistant High School Advisor.

Head Gymnastics Staff Under the direction of Chery Bessette

Special Programs Staff

Head Gymnastics Staff
Under the direction of Chery Bessette