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 MySkills Chart Specialist Front Desk
  

  Catherine Farias

  Assistant Gymnastics Manager MySkills Chart Specialist 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 but I started dancing competitively my sophomore year in high school. In those 3 years of competing we won state each time. My proudest moment was my senior year as captain because I got to choreograph the last song to our winning routine. In that moment I found a new love of teaching dance.  Being able to teach what I love with an outstanding company is truly a dream come true. I’m so excited to watch everyone grow here at Heart and Soul.

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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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  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 am currently a junior at Mountain View where I am apart of the varsity pom team and dance program. I have 14 years of dance training, mainly from Tucson Dance Academy. While at Tucson Dance Academy, I trained in ballet, tap, jazz, hip-hop, and ballroom. In addition to dance I have two years of high school cheer experience. I am excited to be apart of Heart and Soul because I want to share my love for dance with people who have the same passion for it as I do!

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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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  Madison Halliday

  Gymnastics Coach
  

  Madison Halliday

  Gymnastics Coach

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  Ryan Wells

  Gymnastics Coach Event Specialist
  

  Ryan Wells

  Gymnastics Coach Event Specialist

  Hey everyone! I joined Heart & Soul when I was a junior in high school because I love physical education and working with kids. This has been my favorite place to work because of the community and relationships I get to have with my classes. It is awesome to watch students grow and make memories and know that I got to be a little part of that. I will be a freshman in the engineering program at the U of A this fall and look forward to continuing my work with classes here!

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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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