Our Staff

Paul Shea, Owner

Paul has been the owner of Gym-Ken Gymnastics since September of 1994. He originally hails from Norwood, Massachusetts. Paul graduated from Springfield College (Class of 82') where he was a competitive gymnast for 4 years. Paul has been coaching gymnastics for 31 years, although the last few years you can usually find him wandering around the gym taking pictures of all the children having a great time learning gymnastics.

“I believe that through the sport of gymnastics that the kids can learn all about hard work, perseverance & dedication all while having fun in a positive environment. That is why Gym-Ken's mantra is "Fun & Fitness For Children". I would like to thank all of those parents out there for giving your children the opportunity to participate in this wonderful sport."

Trisha Ferguson, Business Manager

Trisha has been working at Gym-Ken Gymnastics for 25 years, starting as part-time office help while she was pursuing a degree in Business Management. Following graduation, she started working full-time for Gym-Ken where she is now the Business Manager. Trisha lives in Londonderry with her sons: Dylan age 17, Cole age 13 and her daughter Talia age 10.

“There is nothing more rewarding than seeing the kids in the gym laughing, learning and gaining so much selfconfidence through this wonderful sport. The best sound in the world is that of a giggling child and I get to listen to it all day!”

Kurt Auger

Kurt started coaching at Gym-Ken Gymnastics in Spring 2013. He has two children; a 10 year old son, and a 9 year old daughter, that have been students at GK since 2010 (his daughter is on our Level 3 Team). Kurt organized and coached youth flag football, and volunteered as a physical fitness trainer for boys wishing to condition for upcoming sports seasons.

"My aim is to teach students body awareness and the basic skills necessary for physical growth. I look forward to learning each student's physical abilities, and I am passionate about helping them exceed their limitations. You're gymnast's learning experience will be fun and challenging as well as disciplined.”




Jennifer Corsetto

Jen resides in Derry NH with her husband and four children. She has a BA from Salem State with Coaching and Athletic Administration as her major and a minor in psychology. Jen has been involved in the sport since a child participating in club gymnastics through high school and two years at Salem State. She has over 25 years coaching experience and has been at Gym-Ken since 2001. Jen is the pre-school director and also coaches the compulsory and optional teams here at Gym-Ken. She is USAG Safety Certified, First Aid Certified and a USAG Certified Instructor.





Melissa Heywood

Melissa (Missy) joined the Gym-Ken family in fall 2005 after graduating college. She attended Keene State College where she studied early childhood development, special education and secondary education, and earned a BA in English literature. While in college, Missy worked at the YMCA as a lifeguard, swim coach, gymnastics instructor and after school care provider. Missy currently teaches pre-school, grade school, Gym-Ken Stars and is Gym-Ken’s Birthday Party Director. Gym-Ken’s birthday party program grows bigger and better every year, filling more weekends than ever before!!

“I believe in establishing a relationship with both student and parent that is based on trust and open communication to ensure that they get the most out of being a part of our program. I coach with all aspects of education in mind by addressing the individual student's needs so that they progress at their own pace; I believe this is the most effective method in building a capable, confident child that looks forward to coming to a class that challenges them, and best of all, has fun!”

Amanda Kennedy

Amanda started working at Gym-Ken Gymnastics in the fall of 2012. Prior to becoming part of the Gym-Ken family, she was the program director at The Little Gym of Danvers and Woburn, MA.

Amanda has been involved in competitive gymnastics, dance, cheerleading and Lacrosse. She was named captain in Lacrosse her Sophomore through Senior years in college and her Senior year of Cheerleading in High School. Amanda has been a member of East Celebrity Elites World and National Champion cheer teams and she has also coached competitive cheerleading and acrobatics for the past 4 years as well as High School and Middle School Lacrosse.

Amanda attended Dean and New England College. She has a BS in Kinesiology and an Associates in Exercise Science. She is also certified in First Aid and CPR.


Kara Lemay

Kara graduated from the University of NH with a major in Physical Education and is entering her 14th year at Gym-Ken Gymnastics. She has been teaching gymnastics for 25 years - all ages and levels including preschool, grade school, and all levels of competitive gymnastics. Kara has coached several of her Team Gymnasts to Nationals and many of her former gymnasts have also gone on to compete at the collegiate level with much success. She has also been honored to have had the opportunity to coach with past and present Olympic Coaches. Kara was the first coach in NH to have a gymnast qualify to the USAGymnastics National TOPS Team and was also a gymnastics judge for 8 years and served many years on the NH Gymnastics Board of Directors.

Kara also coached Varsity Cheerleading for Trinity High School in Manchester and has trained many of today’s cheer coaches how to teach tumbling to their athletes. Kara has been the Director of Gym-Kens tumbling program for the past 2 years.

Kara has also implemented and is the Director for our Pre-Team developmental program. These include: Hot Shots, Shooting Stars, and Mini Gymmies. These programs have been quite successful in getting our little gymnasts ready for our competitive program.

Kara has been an American Red Cross Lifeguard and Swim Instructor for the past 23 years and is the Director for our Summer Swim program for the past 12 years. Each year has been bigger and better than previous.

Kara is a USAGymnastics Certified Instructor, USA Gymnastics Certified Junior Olympic Team Coach, USA Gymnastics Safety and Risk Management Certified and USA Gymnastics certified in Fundamentals of gymnastics instruction.


Samantha Lemay

Gymnastics has been a part of Sam’s life for as long as she can remember. Sam says: “My mom (Miss Kara) has been coaching since before I was born, so naturally I have spent a good portion of my life in and around gymnastics. I have been in and out of gymnastics my entire life. I have been part of Gym-Ken gymnastics since I was four years old. Most of my memories of gymnastics come from Gym-Ken. I was a part of Gym-Kens open team and many of the coaches I had when I was a gymnast here, are still coaches here today. Having practically grown up at Gym-Ken, I always loved the idea of some day being able to coach here for my self.”

Samantha teaches classes, is part of our amazing birthday party staff, and is a valuable member of our summer staff.

“There is nothing more rewarding than having a job where you get to help kids achieve their personal best at something the genuinely enjoy participating in.”

Ruth Licata

Ruth Licata is the Head Coach Girls’ Teams at Gym-Ken Gymnastics. She has been employed at Gym-Ken for 26 years and is a USAGymnastics Professional member, Safety Certified, Skill Evaluator, Meet Director, PDP certified, former judge for girls’ compulsories, former high school gymnast, trained in dance (ballet, tap & jazz) for l4 years at E. Virginia Williams Dance Studio (founder of the Boston Ballet, the oldest ballet company in the United States).

I've had the pleasure of working with so many girls and boys over the years watching them grow from beginner gymnasts to very accomplished athletes and responsible adults. I've learned that for anyone to be successful in life they have to love what they do. Our job as a coach is to inspire children to want to do their best and be there every step of the way to support them. Coaching is an amazing responsibility, never to be taken lightly.”

Jillian MacDonald

Jillian has been a part of the Gym-Ken family for eight years. She is currently the director for both the grade school and Gym-Ken Gems programs and teaches pre-school classes. Jillian took gymnastics from age three to eleven years old at Interstate Gymnastics, working her way up through the team program. At age twelve, she switched gears to cheerleading and continued to cheer through high school while continuing tumbling classes at Brentwood and is a four time All-American NCA cheerleader. Jillian attended Notre Dame College for two years on a Pre-Physician Assistant track. She received her LNA license as well as her Professional Rescuer certification and continued to work in the health care field for two years. Jillian also attended NHCTC Manchester for one year studying Nursing.

“I believe gymnastics can be beneficial to all children as it offers strength, flexibility, discipline, structure, and a sense of accomplishment through both mental and physical growth.”

Jerelyn Nordelus

Jerelyn has been with Gym-Ken Gymnastics for 5 years and has a combined total of 14 years’ experience teaching and coaching all levels from pre-school through Competitive Level 8 Team, having done gymnastics herself as a youth before turning to dance as a young adult. Jerelyn studied Performing Arts - Dance, before transferring to attain a Bachelors of Science in Business Management. She is also a Personal Trainer Certified through AFAA . Jerelyn now teaches everything from pre-school classes to our Gym-Ken Stars Program.

“Seeing children accomplish things that make them smile, building confidence, staying healthy and fit, and all while having lots of fun is what I strive for every day I walk into the gym. I love the sport of gymnastics and if I can share that love with a child, all while achieving all of these things, why would I want to do anything else?”

Roxanne Perry

Roxanne has been a part of the Gym-Ken Gymnastics family for six ears. She coaches everything from preschool classes to tumbling/parkour classes. Before Roxanne became a coach she cheered for Pinkerton Academy's Varsity cheerleading squad and helped them to win various first place state titles and also a first place regional title.

“I want my students to have fun and constantly try new things and develop their skills. I believe that learning takes place best in a positive, calm, and constant environment and that's the type of environment I prefer to provide for my classes."

Julie Pitkin

Julie has been working at Gym Ken Gymnastics for two yearsand has established herself as a valuable member of our family. She teaches preschool, grade school and competitive team at Gym Ken. Julie competed USA gymnastics for 12 years and was the NH state AA champion 5 years in a row. She also represented Region 6 in the 2007 Eastern National Championship as a level 9 gymnast.

She was a 2007-2009 Member of the Rhode Island College Gymnastics team studying Physical Education.

“I love what I do!!”

Christina Raymond

– aka “Miss Chris” or as she tells the children “that is Christmas backwards” has worked at Gym-Ken Gymnastics for 12 years. She assists managing the office weekdays and is our customer service representative. Christina has a B.S. in Business from the University of Lowell. She lives in Windham with Dan, her husband of 25 years, her 2 sons Danny & Timmy, and her chocolate lab Max.

"I am passionate about giving children the opportunity to participate in such an amazing sport - gymnastics! I will often tell parents that the meaning of success is to make a difference in a person's life - it's not about wins or losses, but about what you teach people or in our case - children. My favorite words to live by here at Gym-Ken are "If you had fun...You Won!!"

Bailey

Bailey is Mr. Paul's 3 year old Golden Retriever. She is the official gym mascot and greeter. All the children love to come to gym and say hi to Bailey and pet her.