Our Staff

DIRECTORS

Kristen Davis

                                                                                                                                               

XCEL Director, Recreational Director
Co-owner of Academy West

  • Professional USA Gymnastics Member Coach
  • USA Gymnastics Safety Certified
  • CPR and safety trained
  • Attends USA National & Regional Congress, gymnastics trainings and clinics
  • AW University trainer
  • Coached from tots to optionals for 22 years
  • Former gymnast 5 years Level 5 – 9.
  • Named Athlete of the Week, All Around State Champion, Individual State Champion on bars and floor
  • Level 8 Colorado Team Champions, Regional qualifier, alternate to Nationals.
  • Owner/Operator of Academy West for over 16 years

“I loved competing gymnastics as a child, but my dream was to open my own gym. I started a program in my backyard with a homemade beam and a trampoline! In 1998, we opened Academy West with 50 students in gymnastics. Now, over 20 years later, we are in a 22,000 sq. ft. facility with state of the art equipment and tons of students in gymnastics, dance, power tumbling, cheer and academic preschool. I am living my dream!!

Amy Drage

Dance Director, Director of Choreography
Co-owner of Academy West

  • Professional USA Gymnastics Member Coach
  • horeographs all Optional and XCEL competitive gymnastics floor routines.
  • RYT200 (Registered Yoga Teacher).
  • Keynote Speaker at various dance camp trainings.
  • USA Gymnastics Safety Certified
  • CPR and safety trained
  • Attends USA Congress, gymnastics and dance trainings and clinics
  • CAW University trainer
  • Coached tots to team for 12 years
  • Trained with Mia Michaels, Dave Scott, Cris Judd, Rhapsody, Brian Friedman
  • Former Copper Hills Azurette Drill Team chosen 5A All State, Azurette of the Year, Most Outstanding Drill Senior
  • Former SLCC Dance Co. featured member
  • Former dancer, principle, director at Strictly Business Dance Co.
  • Owner/Operator of Academy West for over 16 years

“I started dance classes at age 3 and have been trained in jazz, ballet, tap, pointe, hip hop, creative, modern, ballroom, gymnastics and tumbling. I grew up dancing, competing and winning awards in team and individual routines. I have been teaching dance, gymnastics, and tumbling since we opened Academy West in 1998. I started the Allusions Dance Team in 2005 and my teams have received many awards including high point awards for team and individual routines and for choreography! My motto: “I dream my dance, then I dance my dream!”

Courtney Marsh

Optional Team Director/Head Coach

  • Professional USA Gymnastics Member Coach
  • USA Gymnastics Safety Certified
  • CPR and safety trained
  • Attends USA National and Regional Congress, gymnastics trainings and clinics
  • AW University trainer
  • Coached all levels through optional for 16 years
  • USA Gymnastics Certified Judge 6 years through Level 10 & College
  • NAWGJ Professional Member, USECA Member
  • Former Class 1 gymnast, coached many 1st and 2nd place teams, coached many individual champions at all levels at state, regionals, and to the college level.
  • USAG Utah SACC (State Administrative Committee Chair)

Kristie Bird  

Preschool Director, Office Manager, Fundraiser Manager

  • Has worked for Academy West for more than 16 years as Office Manager, Fundraiser Director, and Preschool Director
  • Home daycare/preschool business for 17 years
  • Has had many hours of training and schooling in the field of child development
  • Started the academic preschool at Academy West in the fall of 2007
  • CPR, safety, and first aid trained
  • Attends USA Congress, trainings for office/ management clinics/ child development
  • LOVES working with children!

 

Destany 

Compulsory Gymnastics Director

  • Professional USA Gymnastics Member Coach
  • USA Gymnastics Safety Certified
  • CPR and Safety Trained
  • Attends USA National and Regional Congress, trainings and clinics
  • Coaches from tots to competitive team for 5 years
  • Taught preschool for 3 years
  • Trainer at staff meetings.  Trainer for competitive compulsory gymnastics coaches
  • Former gymnast for 8 years taking many first place individual and team awards
  • College for 3 years in childhood education
  • Worked in an elementary school for 2 years working with all different ages