San Diego Rhythms Coaches
Sofia Minevich - Program Director and Head Coach
She is a former rhythmic and artistic gymnast and a figure skater. She was competing in artistic and rhythmic
gymnastics for her college in Russia, and after graduating from university with master’s degree in computer
science, she continued to compete for her university and was teaching rhythmic gymnastics and aerobics to both
children and adults. In 1997 Sofia got her credentials in teaching rhythmic gymnastics from Moscow Sports
Committee. She also worked as a preschool teacher for many years. Sofia has a professional dance and ballet
training. She is a professional member of USA Gymnastics, graduate of the USA Gymnastics National Safety
Certification Program, KAT program, and is CPR and First Aid Certified.
Sofia is a Junior Olympic coach
Maria Kaluzhskaya (Charsky ) – Advanced Team coach.
She is awarded a title of an International Master of Sports.
Maria was a Junior and Senior Champion of Russia in 1997 and 1999 in individual and group routines. As a
member of Russian National Team she was representing Russia at many international competitions (1997-2000).
From 1998 to 2000 Maria was in the top 6 in the country.
She graduated from prestigious Russian State University of Physical Education and Sports (Moscow) with
Master Degree in Coaching Rhythmic Gymnastics.
An interesting fact: Maria beat Alina Kabaeva (Moscow Championship 1996),as well as Anna Bessonova in her
junior years.
Maria has many years of coaching experience and a professional dance and ballet training. She is a USA
Gymnastics professional member and is safety, and CPR, and First Aid Certified.
Maria is a Junior Olympic coach
Kirsten Heinrich - Ballet Teacher.
Kirsten has danced professionally throughout the country. Currently, she performs, teaches, and choreographs
here in San Diego. Kirsten enjoys coaching and working with the gymnasts on ballet skills. Grace, solid ballet
technique, and proper lines help enhance the gymnasts overall performance. She welcomes the opportunity to
work with dancers of all kinds, ice skaters, and gymnasts to help foster growth and development.
At San Diego Rhythms Kirsten is working with competitive team and also is teaching SDR 4-5 years old
beginners.
Alexandra (Alex) Mercer - Dance Teacher and Recreational program coach
Alex joined the San Diego Rhythms in September 2007. She moved to San Diego from Sydney, Australia where
after learning dance for 13 years at J.F. Studios, she was continuing to teach at the same dance school such forms
of dance as jazz, hip-hop, contemporary and theatrical dance, and ballroom styles of dance. In 2003 Alex
received her Elementary Teaching Certificate in Jazz/Modern Dance. She graduated with “Honors” from the
program and became a member of the Federal Association of Teachers of Dance (F.A.T.D.) Alex has a strong
competitive background. She participated in many dance competitions and performances including the Opening
Ceremony for the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. Alex is a USAG Professional member and is Safety Certified.
Nicole Minevich - Competitive program coach
Nicole is a Level 10 gymnast who is still competing herself and helping with coaching SDR young gymnasts.
Nicole is a High School Junior and wants to go to college after graduating from school. She has been doing
gymnastics since she was 3 years old and started to do rhythmic gymnastics when she was 5. Nicole was 2009
Region 1 Junior Olympic Team member and competed at Visa Championships. Nicole has a lot of experience
and patience working with very young children. She is a USAG Junior Professional Member and is a Safety
Certified.
Sarah Belpedio - Competitive program coach
Sarah is a High School Junior and is going to college after graduating from High School. She retired from rhythmic
gymnastics 2 years ago and was Level 9 gymnast at that time. While competing, Sarah was a Children National
Team - "Future Stars" member and a few times was a member of Region 1 Junior Olympic Team.
Sarah is a USAG Junior Professional Member and is safety certified.
How to contact us:
Phone: (858) 945-4114
Email: sdrhythmic@yahoo.com
The San Diego Rhythms is a non profit organization
Sofia Minevich - Program Director and Head Coach
She is a former rhythmic and artistic gymnast and a figure skater. She was competing in artistic and rhythmic
gymnastics for her college in Russia, and after graduating from university with master’s degree in computer
science, she continued to compete for her university and was teaching rhythmic gymnastics and aerobics to both
children and adults. In 1997 Sofia got her credentials in teaching rhythmic gymnastics from Moscow Sports
Committee. She also worked as a preschool teacher for many years. Sofia has a professional dance and ballet
training. She is a professional member of USA Gymnastics, graduate of the USA Gymnastics National Safety
Certification Program, KAT program, and is CPR and First Aid Certified.
Sofia is a Junior Olympic coach
Maria Kaluzhskaya (Charsky ) – Advanced Team coach.
She is awarded a title of an International Master of Sports.
Maria was a Junior and Senior Champion of Russia in 1997 and 1999 in individual and group routines. As a
member of Russian National Team she was representing Russia at many international competitions (1997-2000).
From 1998 to 2000 Maria was in the top 6 in the country.
She graduated from prestigious Russian State University of Physical Education and Sports (Moscow) with
Master Degree in Coaching Rhythmic Gymnastics.
An interesting fact: Maria beat Alina Kabaeva (Moscow Championship 1996),as well as Anna Bessonova in her
junior years.
Maria has many years of coaching experience and a professional dance and ballet training. She is a USA
Gymnastics professional member and is safety, and CPR, and First Aid Certified.
Maria is a Junior Olympic coach
Kirsten Heinrich - Ballet Teacher.
Kirsten has danced professionally throughout the country. Currently, she performs, teaches, and choreographs
here in San Diego. Kirsten enjoys coaching and working with the gymnasts on ballet skills. Grace, solid ballet
technique, and proper lines help enhance the gymnasts overall performance. She welcomes the opportunity to
work with dancers of all kinds, ice skaters, and gymnasts to help foster growth and development.
At San Diego Rhythms Kirsten is working with competitive team and also is teaching SDR 4-5 years old
beginners.
Alexandra (Alex) Mercer - Dance Teacher and Recreational program coach
Alex joined the San Diego Rhythms in September 2007. She moved to San Diego from Sydney, Australia where
after learning dance for 13 years at J.F. Studios, she was continuing to teach at the same dance school such forms
of dance as jazz, hip-hop, contemporary and theatrical dance, and ballroom styles of dance. In 2003 Alex
received her Elementary Teaching Certificate in Jazz/Modern Dance. She graduated with “Honors” from the
program and became a member of the Federal Association of Teachers of Dance (F.A.T.D.) Alex has a strong
competitive background. She participated in many dance competitions and performances including the Opening
Ceremony for the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games. Alex is a USAG Professional member and is Safety Certified.
Nicole Minevich - Competitive program coach
Nicole is a Level 10 gymnast who is still competing herself and helping with coaching SDR young gymnasts.
Nicole is a High School Junior and wants to go to college after graduating from school. She has been doing
gymnastics since she was 3 years old and started to do rhythmic gymnastics when she was 5. Nicole was 2009
Region 1 Junior Olympic Team member and competed at Visa Championships. Nicole has a lot of experience
and patience working with very young children. She is a USAG Junior Professional Member and is a Safety
Certified.
Sarah Belpedio - Competitive program coach
Sarah is a High School Junior and is going to college after graduating from High School. She retired from rhythmic
gymnastics 2 years ago and was Level 9 gymnast at that time. While competing, Sarah was a Children National
Team - "Future Stars" member and a few times was a member of Region 1 Junior Olympic Team.
Sarah is a USAG Junior Professional Member and is safety certified.
How to contact us:
Phone: (858) 945-4114
Email: sdrhythmic@yahoo.com
The San Diego Rhythms is a non profit organization
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