Meet Our Team

Spotlight Gymnastics was founded in 1986 by Ute and Edward Finn to provide gymnastics training for children of all ages and abilities. Throughout the years, Spotlight has remained a integral part of the community while maintaining a family atmosphere.

Our fully equipped gym is located in Lower Westchester in Pelham Manor, NY. We offer tumbling and gymnastics classes from September through August made up of Fall, Winter, Spring and Summer classes.

Our philosophy is to teach gymnastics skills and fitness in a fun, safe, nurturing, positive, non-competitive learning environment to children ages 2 to 18. We begin with the fundamentals such as cartwheels, handsprings and flips. Spotlight’s step-by-step approach helps to develop many valuable attributes including self-confidence, self-esteem, balance, muscle strength, healthy bones, flexibility, co-ordination and motor skills.  Our curriculum helps young children improve social interactive skills such as respecting oneself and others, taking turns and listening to directions.   We recognize that all children are individuals and learn at different speeds and in different ways. Therefore, our teachers individualize the instruction to give each student a chance to develop to his/her greatest potential. 

 

 

Our Staff

We believe our instructional staff is what separates our gymnastics programs from all others in Westchester County. Most of our coaches and instructors have been together for many years and their wealth of experience from coaching and teaching in private clubs, colleges, high schools, and international programs allows us to offer safe and well-supervised programs in this most exciting sport. Our coaches also hold “USGF” safety and coaching certifications. In these brief background sketches of our staff, we tell only part of what they have to offer students in the sport of gymnastics. They are mature, capable of sound judgment, and aware of their responsibilities as instructors. Students will respect their knowledge and experience, benefit from their guidance, and enjoy their enthusiasm. All staff members are CPR and First Aid Certified.
 
 
 

Andrew Finn, Principal

Involved with Spotlight for 25 years, former world class tennis coach and director / owner of ski and tennis camps abroad, Andrew brings his vast knowledge of business and sports management to Spotlight.  His main focus has been to provide the leadership necessary to ensure that Spotlight maintains the most well rounded and trained staff in the area, the most up-to-date equipment available, and an environment that is always both safe and conducive to learning.

Leanna Stokes, General Manager

Leanna started gymnastics at the age of 4 and never looked back. As a competitive gymnast she grew to love the sport. After years of competing and coaching, she took some time away from the gym to have children and work in the corporate world. She returned to what she loved, gymnastics, as the General Manager of Spotlight in 2018. She loves being able to make connections with students and parents while being the bridge between the gym and the office!

Valbona Smajlaj

Valbona holds a degree in physical education specializing in gymnastics from Durst Academy in Albania where she taught high school physical education for 9 years. Valbona competed nationally and internationally for 14 years winning many championships including Albanian National all-around title. Valbona’s experience and caring personality makes her a winning part of our staff. Val holds certifications and training from USA gymnastics.

Sean Jones

Sean, a former gymnastics competitor, has been a delight to our students and parents for the past 35 years. Sean is especially famous for his “Zany” warmup games, creative skill development and fun personality. Sean holds USA gymnastics safety, Kinder Accreditation for teachers, school age training.

Kevin Cortez

Kevin has been involved with gymnastics for 10 years. He previously competed in the public-school athletic league during his high school years and has been training ever since. Kevin is a volunteer instructor at Rober Clemente Sates Park and is a participant at the Big Apple Games program. In his spare time Kevin enjoys spending time on the art of photography and videography.

Bilal Gidron

Bilal is a former gymnast himself and has consistently been in training since his high school days. By the age of 25 he has already successfully coached gymnastics and tumbling in the area. In his free time, he still volunteers at Roberto Clemente State Park teaching gymnastics to children ranging from ages 5-18.

Jena Bishop

Jena joined the spotlight team in the spring of 2018 and was a competitive gymnast for 10+ years before moving onto coaching. Jena completed three undergraduate degrees from Guilford College in North Carolina. Jena is now pursuing a postgraduate degree at the University of Edinburgh, Scotland to earn her doctorate in veterinary medicine. Jena is seen flipping around the gym during summer and break holidays.

Andy Rivera

Andy joined spotlight in the winter of 2019. Andy graduated back in May 2022 with a bachelor’s in digital media production and communications from Manhattanville University. Andy is very involved here at Spotlight; you can find him in the gym helping the coaches, filming or taking pictures. You can also find him in the office or out in the hallways helping anyone that comes in.

Brooke O’Brien

Brooke is a former student at Spotlight who still has all her ribbons. She was a varsity cheerleader and is attending Iona University. Alongside studying, Brooke was on the D1 Acrobatics & tumbling team. Brooke is majoring in education while still coaching gymnastics here at Spotlight, outside of gymnastics she loves animals, reading, baking and going to the gym.

Ami DeToma

Ami holds two degrees in science; BS in Biology and Board-Certificate in Surgical Technology. Ami enrolled her daughter in gymnastics here at spotlight, sparking her passion for being in the gym again and joining the spotlight team. Ami was as former competitive gymnast herself and has since moved on to coach gymnastics both competitively recreationally.

Samantha Salzarulo

Samanatha is currently a student at Pace University where she is studying adolescent education for grades 5th-12th. She has a passion for teaching and helping children with their development, she hopes to become a teacher someday. As a child Sam picked up dancing and gymnastics and now, she combines all these great skills and dedicates her time to coaching gymnastics here at Spotlight.

 

 

Manny Piedra

Manny joined the Spotlight team in October 2024. He comes from a competitive dance world and is very experienced in modern dance, hip hop and ballet. He is a full-time painter and owner of a media agency outside of Spotlight gymnasts. He takes great pride in being an exciting and friendly face for the students. He is passionate about the future and encourages students to express themselves.

 

Juancarlos Velasquez

Juancarlos aka coach JC has 7 plus years of coaching experience and 3 years of competing in PSAL. Gymnastics came into his life at 16 years of age and saved his life alongside the king of Christ. It’s only right he does his best to show his passion for this sport, adding strength and gracefulness to your peace, love and harmony.

 

Phyllis Doherty

Joined the team in Fall of 2022 and has since been a positive voice to all students and staff around spotlight. Her kids went here years ago and now Phyllis can be found in the office, helping to get all children into classes and keeping Spotlight running smoothly!

 

Alex Salzmann

Alex has been in the gymnastics world first as a competitor then coach for the last 20 years. Alex is a very talented coach and tumbler! He works full-time at the YMCA in White Plains but shares his time with the spotlight on Mondays. Alex and his son also attend gymnastics classes here as well!