ABOUT CAPITAL GYMNASTICS NTC
At Capital Gymnastics NTC, we are committed to providing the finest and most fun gymnastics, tumbling and cheer experience for all ages and levels, from preschool to adult. As we continue to grow our program we also continue to earn Club of the Year designations from Virginia USAG.
Stop by, come look at the state-of-the-art facilities, and see for yourself why Capital Gymnastics NTC is one of the finest gymnastics clubs in the country. We train students as young as preschool through college age. Adult open gym is also available.
Want to join our team? Check out our job openings
OUR MISSION
Capital Gymnastics National Training Center is dedicated to children’s fitness. The sport of gymnastics will increase a child’s strength, flexibility, and coordination, as well as give them the confidence and determination to be successful. It is our desire to instill in children a lifelong love of fitness, exercise, and self-achievement. If you are seeking a recreational or team program for your child, you have come to the right gym in Northern VA.
OUR FACILITY
Capital Gymnastics National Training Center offers over 23,000 SF of air-conditioned space. We have brand new floors, state-of-the-art competitive equipment, where safety always comes first. There is plenty of viewing area, on-site pro-shop, clean, and private bathrooms. Cubbies are also plentiful for rec classes, cheer, and guests.
OUR PROGRAMS
Capital Gymnastics National Training Center offers recreation classes for girls and boys in gymnastics, power tumbling, and cheerleading. In addition, we also have competitive programs for girls and boys in gymnastics, trampoline and tumbling, and cheerleading. We also offer specialized training for TOPS, Elite, a homeschool program, summer camps, birthday parties, and more.
Meet Our Coaches
WOMEN’S TEAM COACHES
TISH SIMMONS, OWNER
Tish Simmons fell in love with the sport of gymnastics at a young age. She was an athlete at Capital and competed through level 10. After retiring from competitive gymnastics, she went on to study and cheer competitively at George Mason University. Post-graduation she came back to Capital to start her coaching career. Through the years she has coached pre-team all the way through the elite level. She loves the challenge of competitive gymnastics and life lessons the sport teaches all athletes. Her hope is to inspire and teach her love of the sport to all children who walk through the doors at Capital.
JOSE TERAN
Jose started gymnastics when he was a child since that moment he fall in love with the sport. Coach Jose have a bachelor degree in Geography and High Performance Sports. Before coach Jose moved to the states he used to be the Head coach of the Venezuelan junior national team, During his free time he likes hiking, Traveling, reading books about Physiology - Biomechanics, He loves spending time with family and friends.
MARINA GEROM
Marina Gerom was born March 15th, 1959 in Russia. She went to High School and College in Ukraine. She was a Rhythmic Gymnast. She worked with the National Ukrainian team from 1981 to 1994. She moved to the United States in August of 1994 and started working for Capital Gymnastics.
TATIANA PERSKAIA
Tatiana was born in Poltava, Ukraine. In 1970 and 1973 she was the all-around Champion of the Ukraine and in 1985 her student, Oksana Omelianchik, became the all-around World Champion. Tatiana earned the titles of “Distinguished Coach of the Ukraine” and “Distinguished Coach of the Soviet Union.” Tatiana was hired as the Women’s Head Coach at Capital Gymnastics National Training Center in 1992. She presently coaches 8 through Elite. At the 2001 World Championships, Katie Heenan was the bronze medalists on the Uneven Bars, and Elite gymnast under the instruction of Tatiana and her Elite coaching staff. Tatiana and her coaching staff also coached World Champion Katie Heenan and World Champion on Beam, Ashley Postell (2002). Among her many amazing coaching titles, Tatiana is Head Coach at Capital Gymnastics NTC, an International Brevet Judge and is on the USA Gymnastics Women’s National Team Coaching Staff.
JENNA TAWEEL
Jenna Taweel is a former Capital gymnast and George Mason University Cheerleader. She has seven years of experience coaching gymnastics and has been part of the Capital family for many years. Her favorite part about coaching is watching the athletes progress towards new and exciting skills!
PAMELA PAREDES
Pamela Paredes Burgos is a former Peruvian National Team gymnast and international judge with 20 years’ experience choreographing routines, coaching and judging. She has a degree in physical education and a CDA in early childhood education. She is currently a compulsory judge for levels 3-5, an optional judge level 9, and a pre-team and compulsory coach at Capital Gymnastics since 2019. Her favorite part about coaching is seeing children motivated to learn new skills and their progress along the season.
JOHAN SANTA
RECREATIONAL PROGRAM AND TRAMPOLINE & POWER TUMBLING DIRECTOR
BRIAN RIVERA
Brian Rivera has been working at Capital Gymnastics since 2006. In the 15+ years, he has worked in our gymnastics recreational classes as well as coached tumbling with our cheer programs. Currently, he is our longest tenured head coach in our men's gymnastics team program. His favorite part about coaching is watching his students mature into successful athletes.
MEN’S TEAM COACHES
RENATO ARAUJO
I’m Renato Araujo from Brazil, I have a long experience as a gymnastics coach. I have been working with this for over 30 years. I have been to many international competitions including 3 Olympic Games. I love what I do and I have a lot to contribute to our club.
ALEX CHIRIBOGA
I am Alex and I was born in Quito,Ecuador in 1991. I was a gymnast for the Ecuadorian national team and then became a coach of my country since 2011, taking several children to international competitions. Getting good results also I am national judge of Ecuador. I have a degree in physical education. I was hired as the Men's Gymnastics team program at Capital Gymnastics National Training Center in 2022. I love to inspire kids to continue practicing the sport and become elite athletes.
THOMAS WILLIAM
Thomas started gymnastics at a young age and immediately fell in love with the sport. He was a former Capital gymnast and has been a coach at Capital since 2018. He is currently studying at Virginia Commonwealth University as a Criminal Justice major. As well as being a college student, he is also a United States Marine in the reserves. His favorite part of coaching is seeing the athletes get new skills by overcoming their fears. In his spare time, Thomas likes to train in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and lift weights.
CHEER TEAM COACHES
EMILI ZAMFINO
Emili Zamfino has a background in cheerleading, tumbling & conditioning. She first started cheerleading at capital at the age of 11 and cheered at West Springfield High School all 4 years on varsity. After high school Coach Emili joined the Army. Emili is a cheer coach with over 5 years of experience coaching. Her favorite part about coaching is building bonds with the athletes, being able to make a change in their lives and being able to stay involved in the sport she loves!
ALEX MANN
Coach Alex has been a coach at Capital since 2019, and he has loved every second of it. He enjoys having fun with his athletes and seeing them progress with their skills. In his free time, Coach Alex loves to go on hikes and play guitar.
XCEL COACHES
RACHEL MILLER
Coach Rachel is the Director of the Xcel Program at CGNTC, and she has coached gymnastics for more than a decade. Her favorite part about coaching is sharing in her athletes' joy and excitement upon achieving new skills. A Tennessee native, Rachel possesses a Master of Science in Physics from the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. In her free time she enjoys hiking with her family and doing crossword puzzles.
JOSH THORNE
Josh Thorne trained at Capital when he was younger under Coach Brian and Coach Steve. He always has had a passion for gymnastics but not the best himself. He ended up pursuing rugby and was able to compete at the Division 1 collegiate level. He started off coaching recreational gymnastics at Capital and has since found a love for coaching and leaving a positive impact of the kids’ lives. Much of his childhood he and his siblings trained at Capital under amazing coaches that helped us succeed inside and outside the gym. He loves working with the boys team and is excited for the success that the future holds!
OFFICE STAFF
NEIL SIMMONS, OWNER
Neil Simmons, co-owner of Capital Gymnastics NTC did not come from a gymnastics background, but rather married into the sport. Neil works in the office alongside Stasia and Gena. He is a avid Washington Commanders fan and loves being around all the great athletes and parents.
GENA EDSALL
Gena has been involved in the sport of Gymnastics for 47 years. Started teaching in high school and continued teaching while travelling the country and world, (Korea, Japan, California and North Carolina) as a military wife. She started working in the administrative side in 1992 as well. Her children were also very active in Gymnastics, Sports Acro (now Acro Gymnastics) and Trampoline & Tumbling in their youth. Gena was a judge for both Sports Acro and Trampoline & Tumbling through 2002. Worked at Novaks Gymnastics for 14 years and came on board with Capital Gymnastics NTC in 2009. Obviously, her commitment to the sport all these years shows her love for gymnastics.
STASIA SMITH
Stasia is a northern Va native and went to high school in Alexandria, Va. She has a BS in Sports Medicine and Physical Education as well as a Masters in Physical Education/Teacher Education. She was a public-school elementary school teacher for 12 years prior to working at Capital. Stasia has coached our preschool and parent/tot classes but you can find her most days/evenings in the Capital office. Stasia's 2 daughters are on the competitive team at Capital gymnastics. Gymnastics is a huge part of Stasia and her family’s life!
CAPPY
Mr. Cappy Blue Simmons joined the Capital family in 2022, and is our most popular office member. He loves greeting all of the athletes, families, and brings a smile to everyone’s face!
