Candace Stewart

Ruijie Cheng

Samantha Johnson

Samantha has been coaching gymnastics for 20 years. She started out in dance from age 3, a competitive artistic gymnast herself from ages 5-12, then she switched to Trampoline & Tumbling while Assistant Coaching (now called Coach In Training or CIT) until she was 16 and old enough to coach her own classes. Sam believes that no matter what level of gymnastics you are in, or what age group you fall into, there is something for everyone in this sport.

She has tried her hand at a few other professions such as massage therapy and personal training but she always came back to coaching. Gymnastics has always been a big part of her life for as long as she can remember and it is what she feels most passionate about.

Although she has coached all over, Capital City has become like a second home to her and she views all of our members as part of an extended family. Her favorite part of being a coach is seeing all of her athletes learn and watch their love of gymnastics grow with every success.

Coach Sam also teaches our Alumni Group as well as private lessons.

Sam Ward

Sam Ward has been associated with Capital City Gymnastics Centre for over 20 years, first as an athlete, and now as a coach. Sam was a national high performance gymnast at CCGC and received an athletic scholarship to Illinois State University in 2013. She started coaching in 2012 and has been the Team Coordinator since 2017. She currently coaches our Team 1 and Team 2 athletes. Her qualifications include:

• NCCP Level 2 WAG Certified
• Level 2 Tramp Certified
• Active Start Trained
• Xcel and JO 1-9 WAG Judge

Sam enjoys sharing her passion for gymnastics with her athletes and loves that it teaches them about dedication, determination, resiliency and hard work! Sam’s coaching philosophy is first and foremost for all athletes to have fun while providing a positive learning environment for them to grow into well-rounded individuals!

In addition to coaching, Sam has a Bachelor’s Degree in Exercise Science and recently completed her Masters of Science in Physical Therapy Degree from the University of Alberta!

Vidushi Mittra-Melrose

Dr. Vidushi Mittra Melrose is a single mom of 2 and is a family physician here in Edmonton.  Her youngest is in Xcel Gold.  She has experience with medical boards and is excited to serve with CCGC as president for 2023-2024.

Tamara Schmidt

Quinn Bottorff

Sandra Ayyobi

Christina Tatarniuk

Lia Walker

Clint Schmidt

Coach Anickoli teaches some of the following Recreational Classes;

- Parent & Tot

- Mini Tots

- Tots

- Supertots

- Hot Shots

- Burgundy/Red

- Tan

Coach Anthony teaches some of the following Recreational Classes;

- Tots

- Burgundy/Red

- Tan

- Bronze

- T&T Beginner

Coach Ashley teaches some of the following Recreational Classes;

- Mini Tots

- T&T Beginner

- Burgundy/Red

- Tan

- Bronze

- Mini Team

- Teen Class

Coach Ava teaches some of the following Recreational Classes;

- Tots

- Burgundy/Red

- T&T Beginner

Coach Brooklyn teaches some of the following Recreational Classes;

- Burgundy/Red

- Tan

- Purple

Coach Camila teaches some of the following Recreational Classes;

- Elite Petites

She also teaches Competitive Xcel Gold & Platinum

Cat Prather has been coaching gymnastics over the last 32 years. Cat started her passion for gymnastics at the age of 8 where she started Competitive gymnastics. Her love of children and the sport has taken her into coaching. Cat has been at Capital City for  the last 20 years. She enjoys to see the kids have fun, love the sport and progress to their maximum potential.

Coach Cat teaches some of the following Recreational Classes;

- Parent & Tot

- Mini Tots

- Tots

Coach Emily A teaches some of the following Recreational Classes;

- Tots

- Supertots

- T&T Beginner

- Burgundy/Red

- Bronze

Coach Emily T teaches some of the following Recreational Classes;

- Tan

Coach Garrison teaches some of the following Recreational Classes;

- Tumble Bugs

- Parent & Tot

- Mini Tots

- Tots

- Supertots

- Advanced Supertots

- T&T Beginner

- Burgundy/Red

- Purple

Jewel Janzen has been with Capital City for 2 years, and has been in gymnastics for 11 years now. She started competitive gymnastics at age 7, and fell in love with the sport. Now as a coach, she teaches kids the fun and excitement of gymnastics. She loves to see the kids grow and improve, and strives to be the best role model she can be. 

Coach Jewel teaches Competitive Xcel Silver & Gold.

She also helps out with our Recreational classes in the summertime!

Coach Kierra teaches some of the following Recreational Classes;

- Mini Tots

- Tots

- Supertots

- Burgundy/Red

- Tan

- Bronze

Coach Lily teaches some of the following Recreational Classes;

- Tots

- Burgundy/Red

- Tan

Coach Liz teaches some of the following Recreational Classes;

- Junior Team

She also teaches Competitive Xcel Silver

Melissa Belter has been involved in the sport of gymnastics for many years, first as a gymnast for 17 years and now as a coach. Melissa was a high performance gymnast, who was a part of Team Canada for her Novice and Junior years up until an Achilles injury. In overcoming this obstacle, she competed at the Senior High Performance level until the age of 17, where she left on a full ride scholarship to Brigham Young University, competing at the NCAA level while completing her Bachelor of Science in Elementary Education Degree. In continuing education, she also has her Graduate Certificate in Leadership. Melissa has been coaching the Team 3 group for the past 10 years at Capital City Gymnastics Centre, alongside being a full time grade 4 teacher. Her qualifications include: 

• NCCP Level 2 WAG Certified
• Level 1 Tramp Certified
• Active Start Trained

Melissa hopes that she can give back to the sport by helping others learn and grow a love for gymnastics. As a coach, she tries to create a positive, respectful learning environment where she can challenge her athletes while providing support and encouragement. She hopes to empower her athletes to gain confidence and achieve their goals while having fun at the same time.

Coach Melissa teaches Competitive Xcel Platinum.

Coach Mikaela teaches some of the following Recreational Classes;

- Tan

- Bronze

- Mini Team

Coach Paige teaches Elite Petites & Xcel Bronze

Coach Pierce teaches some of the following Recreational Classes;

- Parent & Tot

- Mini Tots

- Tots

- T&T Beginner

- T&T Intermediate

- Bronze

- Purple

Sam Johnston was in gymnastics for 14 years before she retired back in 2018. She decided to come back to the gym to start coaching in 2022. Being back in the gym helped her decide that she wanted to start training again in January of 2023 as well as continue coaching.

One of her favorite parts about coaching is seeing the joy on the athletes faces when they achieve something they have been working on and putting so much effort into!

Sam J is Foundations certified, Active Start trained, Foundations Trampoline trained, and C1 WAG & C1 Trampoline trained. 

Coach Tanya teaches some of the following Recreational Classes;

- Tots

- Burgundy/Red

- Tan

Bella helps with some of our Camps and Special Events.

Kaya helps with some of our Recreational Tots Classes.

Peryn helps with some of our Recreational T&T Beginner and Bronze Classes.