 At Empire Gymnastics Academy we are dedicated to the preparation and development of each student on an individual basis. Our goal is to build a strong pre-school and recreational gymnastics program that will provide a positive experience in the sport of gymnastics, as well as instill confidence and self worth within each child that comes through our doors.
Owners, Chris Brashier and April Pyle
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| Chris Brashier - Head Team Coach, Boys and Girls Team |
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Chris Brashier has been involved in competitive gymnastics for 22 years. As an elite gymnast, Chris had the opportunity to compete against Chinese, Russian, and Ukrainian gymnasts before receiving a scholarship to The University of Illinois. An injury cut his career short, and Chris shifted his focus to coaching. He has coached multiple junior and senior national team members and his former athletes have attained state, regional, national, NCAA, and world titles.
"I have known Chris Brashier for over 20 years as one of my athletes and as a coach. Drawing on his experince as an athlete; I believe he understands the long term benifits of participating in gymnastics whether you go on to the Olympics or take a class once a week; gymnastics teaches you how to set goals, work hard and perservere. Chris and his staff at Empire Gymnastics are mindful of the child's development as an athlete and as a person. "
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Kevin Mazeika
Houston Gymnastics Academy
Men's Program Manager
2004 & 2008 Men's Olympic Gymnastics Team Coach
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| April Pyle - Team Coach |
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USAG Professional Member, USAG Safety Certified
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| Shannon Prince - Team Coach |
USAG Professional Member, USAG Safety Certified
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| Petra Simpson - Rhythmic Program Director and Head Coach |
Coach Petra has many years of coaching both rhythmic and artistic gymnastics. Her combination of different art styles and techniques create a unique approach that leads her students to great success. Coach Petra has coached many former Champions at the State ,Regional, Jr. Olympic and National levels. She is also a Professional Member of the USA Gymnastics and a graduate of the USA Gymnastics National Safety Certification Program. She is currently the USAG Texas State Chairperson for Rhythmic Gymnastics.
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| Audra Massoth Coffey - Office Manager and Team Coach |
Audra has been involved in gymnastics for fifteen years. Her competitive career began in Oklahoma at Citadel Gymnastics. Upon her retirement in 1999, she was level 10. She has coached at several acclaimed programs including Houston Gymnastics Academy, WOGA, and Empire Gymnastics Academy among others. Her passion for the sport and attention to detail make her a valued part of the Empire staff.
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| Mary Casey McGee - Pre School and Class Coach |
Mary Casey is a Junior Social Work major at Texas Christian University. She has a passion for children, and especially loves pre schoolers and children with special needs. As a dancer for most of her life, Mary Casey enjoyed all forms of dance and had the opportunity to perform in the Dallas Ft. Worth area and in an off broadway production in New York. After teaching dance for five years, Mary Casey began teaching gymnastics. She has since has the opportunity to act as a program coordinator and instructor for several area programs.
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| Kyle Turner- Boys Team Coach, Girls Team Coach |
| Kyle has been highly involved in gymnastics for the past 22 years. He attended the University of New Mexico on a gymnastics scholarship. An Olympic hopeful in 2000 and 2004, Kyle was plagued by injuries and forced to retire in 2002. Kyle has been a nationally rated judge for 10 years and his athletes have won numerous state, regional and national titles at every level. He is USAG safety certified, a USAG Professional member, and has been recognized by the Gymnastics Association of Texas for excellence in coaching. | |
| Tamara Linn |
Tamara has been involved with the sport of gymnastics since 1974. She was a competitive gymnast on both state and regional levels before moving to coaching at age 17 and eventually owning her own gym. Tamara has been coaching locally since 2000. Throughout her 20 plus years of teaching and coaching, Tamara has worked with children of all ages and levels of gymnastics, cheerleading and physical fitness. She is USAG safety certified, a certified skill evaluator and CPR certified. She currently works full time with Special Needs children in the public school system.
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