Meet Our Team!

Meet the Instructors

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  Deanna Sherman

  Owner of Heart & Soul
  

  • CPR Certified
  • USAG Certified
  • Background Checked

  Deanna Sherman

  Owner of Heart & Soul

  Deanna Sherman is a born and raised Tucsonan who fell in love with gymnastics at a very young age. She was introduced to gymnastics by her mother at the age of 4 and never looked back. Deanna attended Tanque Verde Elementary and Desert Christian Middle School. In 2008, she graduated from Desert Christian High School and became the first Division I scholarship recipient in the school’s history.

  Although recruited by many universities, Deanna has been a Wildcat with all her “Heart and Soul” since the age of seven. She accepted a full ride gymnastics scholarship to the University of Arizona competing for the Gymcats from 2008-2012.   She had a wonderful experience fulfilling her dreams at the University of Arizona and graduated in 2013 with a Bachelor of Arts in Communications and a minor in Sports Marketing.

  Deanna was named Pac 10 gymnast of the week 3 times throughout her career and was the recipient of Arizona’s Jim Gault award in 2010.  In 2011 she qualified in the All-Around for the NCAA Championships and was named 1^st Team Pac 10 All-Conference in the ALL Around in 2010 and 2011. Deanna has 20 years of gymnastics experience both as a coach and a gymnast.

  Deanna is a USGA certified recreational coach and CPR certified.

  If you have any questions, concerns, or suggestions, please don’t hesitate to contact Deanna Sherman personally.

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  Shari Chamblee

  Business Manager
  

  • Background Checked
  • CPR Certified

  Shari Chamblee

  Business Manager

  After more than 25 years of working in various types of business administration, I am so thankful to have the opportunity to be a part of the Heart and Soul family as your Business Manager.  Even though my main focus is to make sure that your experience from a financial perspective is trouble-free and enjoyable, my most favorite part of the day is the friendships I am able to cultivate with all of you and your amazing kiddos! We truly are more than an activity center…we are a family!

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  Kristin Robertson

  Gymnastics Manager
  

  Kristin Robertson

  Gymnastics Manager

  Welcome to the Heart & Soul family! I have had the honor to watch my daughters grow up in the gym and now I get to experience that dedication as a coach. As a former teacher, I love being able to help our gymnasts grow with life long skills through physical education. Heart & Soul is a welcoming and friendly organization and I can’t wait to meet all of our new friends!

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  Catherine Farias

  Assistant Gymnastics Manager Front Desk
  

  Catherine Farias

  Assistant Gymnastics Manager Front Desk

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  Olivia Romero

  Dance Manager
  

  • Background Check
  • CPR Certified
  • USAG Certified
  • Party Planner (8 years)

  Olivia Romero

  Dance Manager

  I’ve always had a love for dance and started competing on the Marana dance team my sophomore year of high school. It was such a rich and rewarding experience for me because we put in the effort and were able to win the state title for my three years on the team. It was in my senior year that I found my love of teaching dance – while I was captain I got to choreograph our final winning routine! Being able to teach what I love with an outstanding company like Heart & Soul is a dream come true. I am so excited to watch your children grow in our studio!

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  Elizabeth Holst

  Dance Manager
  

  • CPR Certified
  • USAG Certified
  • Background Checked

  Elizabeth Holst

  Dance Manager

  Hi! I am so pleased to be joining the Heart and Soul family!  I have been actively involved in the Southern Arizona dance community since I moved here 21 years ago. I was fortunate to grow up with the support of a loving family who encouraged me to pursue my passion for dance.  I began my training at age five in the suburbs of Chicago.  Later I studied at the Stone-Camryn School of Ballet and at the Lou Conte Dance Studio in Chicago.  I attended Indiana University where I earned a Bachelor’s Degree from the School of Music with majors in Ballet (with a teaching emphasis) and French.  I lived in New York City, where I studied at the David Howard Dance Center and at Broadway Dance Center. I performed with Melissa Lowe, Jory Hancock, Helen Starr, Patricia McBride, and Merrill Ashley, among others.  I began teaching dance in 1981, and I have taught ballet, tap, jazz, pointe, modern, lyrical, children’s combination classes, creative movement, and tumbling.   I bring more than 30 years of teaching experience to every dance class, striving to make it fun while instilling the work ethic and proper technique to help my students succeed.  I am proud to say that some of my former students have gone on to dance in college programs, dance with professional companies, and become dance instructors.  I truly enjoy working with students of all ages, and I look forward to being a part of your experience at Heart and Soul.

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  Jennifer Torres

  Events Manager
  

  Jennifer Torres

  Events Manager

  A native to Southern Arizona, I grew up in Willcox and moved to Tucson to go to the University of Arizona in 1997 (Bear down!). I came to Heart & Soul first as a gymnastics parent, and loved the family environment so much that I knew I wanted to be a part of their family as an employee. As the manager of events, I love getting to use my years of experience working with families to expand and grow the events and camps department!

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  Allie Quiroz

  Gymnastics Coach Event Specialist
  

  Allie Quiroz

  Gymnastics Coach Event Specialist

  I have been participating in some sport since I was six years old: whether it be softball, karate, or volleyball I have gained an appreciation for teamwork and sportsmanship and I want to help kids have that same valuable experience.I enjoy working with kids and teaching them not only gymnastics, but important qualities they can take with them throughout their lives.

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  Angela Nations

  Gymnastics Coach
  

  Angela Nations

  Gymnastics Coach

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  Daniela Gerhart-Boscarino

  Gymnastics Coach Dance Teacher
  

  Daniela Gerhart-Boscarino

  Gymnastics Coach Dance Teacher

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  Eliza Defrancesco

  Gymnastics Coach Event Specialist
  

  Eliza Defrancesco

  Gymnastics Coach Event Specialist

  I have a passion and all-around love for gymnastics – I have been taking classes since I was 2 years old and began competitive gymnastics at 6 years old. At 16 I made the tough decision to stop competing in order to focus on my grades because I have big ambitions for my college career. I missed gymnastics and was so excited when the opportunity came up for me to become apart of the team at Heart & Soul! I want these kids to have the same great experiences and love for this sport that I have. More than anything, I hope to teach your kids some of the most important lessons from gymnastics that I have learned; perseverance, teamwork, sportsmanship, and patience.

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  Hailey Jensen

  Dance Instructor
  

  Hailey Jensen

  Dance Instructor

  I recently graduated from Mountain View high school where I was on the varsity pom team, cheer team and in the dance program. I have 14 years of dance training in ballet, tap, jazz, hip-hop, and ballroom. Currently I am proud to be a member of the Sugar Skulls dance team with my fellow teacher, Sammi! I love being apart of Heart & Soul because I get to share my love for dance with adults and children who have the same passion for it as I do!

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  Jaida Olsen

  Gymnastics Coach
  

  Jaida Olsen

  Gymnastics Coach

  Welcome to Heart and Soul! I had spent ten years of my life dedicated to gymnastics as a kid, and now I get to coach the sport I love most. As a coach, I want my students to be able to learn new skills and most of all, have fun while doing it! Heart and Soul is a positive environment filled with encouraging people, and we are so excited to meet you!

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  Julia Wightman

  Gymnastics Coach Front Desk Event Specialist
  

  Julia Wightman

  Gymnastics Coach Front Desk Event Specialist

  I am studying pre-pubescent health at the University of Arizona, GO CATS! I was a gymnast for five years and a cheerleader for four more. Those years of tumbling, fluid movement, and gymnastics are what allows me to be a great teacher to your kids. I am so excited to help them learn the foundations of gymnastics and grow in this incredible sport! Welcome to Heart & Soul!

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  Kaitlynn Bailey

  Gymnastics Coach Event Specialist
  

  Kaitlynn Bailey

  Gymnastics Coach Event Specialist

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  Kelsea Backinger

  Gymnastics Coach
  

  Kelsea Backinger

  Gymnastics Coach

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  Lauren Iwaniuk

  

  Lauren Iwaniuk

  A native to Tucson, born and raised. This is my home. The place I discovered my love for all things performing. I started dance class when I was just a little girl. Well into my high school years I found true passion in teaching and choreography. Now with almost 15 years of teaching experience that passion still burns. There is nothing greater than seeing others fall in love with an art that had been my greatest companion for so many years. My objective in class is to always encourage, inspire and educate. I truly live for dance and take deep pride in being part of your little ones dance journey. Let’s DANCE!

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  Madison Halliday

  Gymnastics Coach
  

  Madison Halliday

  Gymnastics Coach

  My name is Madison and I am so excited to be a part of the Heart and Soul team!! I grew up doing gymnastics, and started competing at age 6. When I got to high school, I tried out for dance team and fell in love!! I danced all 4 years of high school on the varsity team. I am now at Pima Community College in the nursing program. This fall is my last semester, and I can proudly say in December I will be graduating from Pima and will be a registered nurse. I will be pursing pediatric nursing. I’m so glad I get to incorporate my passions for gymnastics and children in my life through this amazing organization. Heart and Soul is truly a one of a kind!

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  Paige Christian

  Gymnastics Coach
  

  Paige Christian

  Gymnastics Coach

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  Sammi Ball

  Dance Instructor Gymnastics Coach Front Desk
  

  Sammi Ball

  Dance Instructor Gymnastics Coach Front Desk

  For the last 18 years, dance has been a huge part of my life and a major passion. I also am passionate about working with kids and am currently going to school to become a special education preschool teacher. I can’t wait to have my own classroom one day! As part of the Heart & Soul community, I love helping my students learn & grow in gymnastics and dance. I am sure they will come to have a passion for health as much as I do!

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  Sarah Winner

  Gymnastics Coach Front Desk
  

  Sarah Winner

  Gymnastics Coach Front Desk

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  Shelby Cain

  Gymnastics Coach
  

  Shelby Cain

  Gymnastics Coach

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