Our Coaches

Varduhi Nahapetyan

Head Coach

Varduhi is National Master of Sport and National Champion of Armenia in 1984, 1991 and 1993. She participated in numerous major competitions, including: World Championship in France, International Tournament in Moscow, USSR Peoples' Spartakiada in Moscow, All-Union Spartakiada.

Varduhi's coaching career began in 1997 as a coach of the Armenian National Team. Her students won many medals on National and International competitions. After moving to United States in 2003 she continued her success in developing competitive level athletes. Over the last few years she has coached many State and Regional champions. Under her guidance Rhythmic Gymnastics team produced many State, Regional and National finalists and champions. She strives to have her gymnasts put forth their best effort and achieve success in a positive environment.

Kathy Colwell

Coach

Kathy grew up as an artistic gymnast, competing as a class I, and elite gymnast. She was several times state champion and competed nationally and internationally. She received a full athletic scholarship for gymnastics to the University of Rhode Island. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from the University of Rhode Island and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Massachusetts. She has been an artistic gymnastics coach for nearly 15 years. Over the past several years she has fallen in love with the sport of rhythmic gymnastics which combines her love of gymnastics and ballet. She is very excited to be assisting Varduhi with her outstanding rhythmic program. Most of all she loves working with young children and is passionate about sharing with them her love for gymnastics.

“I continue to be passionate about the sport of gymnastics-both rhythmic and artistic. I feel very fortunate to have a job that allows me to work with young people and share with them my knowledge of the sport.”

In her spare time she enjoys ballet, Pilates, yoga, running, triathlons and sewing. She and her husband Scott have completed numerous marathons together, including running the Boston Marathon 4 times. They have three daughters ( one is a rhythmic gymnast).

Erica A. Malinowski

Coach

Erica has been dancing for over 18 years with main focus in ballet. She also does jazz, tap, pointe, modern, lyrical and hip-hop.

While at Kerry Smith’s Academy of Dance Arts for over five years, Erica performed in many recitals and competitions, learning the best technique around the state. "My dance classes were very structured and strict, but we had fun and I learned to be a better dancer because of this. I was the type of student who was always being corrected on posture and footing, but I become a much better dancer because of this."

Erica went on to dance at Curry College where she minored in Dance and during her Senior year was named Captain. She and her fellow captains pulled together their last dance performance all on their own.

Erica has also worked for five years at the Norwood Civic Center teaching girls of all ages to dance. "I feel dancing is a way of expression in that you are able to dance the way you want and not have someone criticize you for it".