ABOUT
OUR JOURNEY
1975
1975
THE TRAINING
Kathleen Brady studied Gymnastics Coaching Specialization at Alt’s Gymnastics Teaching Academy, operated gymnastics schools and camps during the years 1971-1981, primarily in New Jersey.
Founder Kathleen Brady practicing gymnastics
1982
1982
RISING STAR GYMNASTICS IS ESTABLISHED
Kathleen Brady founded Rising Star Gymnastics at Sunset Center in Carmel, California. Its programs were designed to provide kids the opportunity to develop discipline, coordination, and self esteem through the wonderful sport of gymnastics.
Rising Star Gymnastics at Sunset Center, Carmel, CA2001
2001
A NEW HOME
Rising Star Gymnastics moved to a new and bigger location on Del Monte Boulevard in Monterey, California, at the same lot where the Del Monte Gardens Skating Arena stood from the early 1950s until its demolition in 2012. Rising Star expanded to offer tumbling and trampoline, acrobatics and eventually, ninja programs.
Del Monte Gardens Skating Arena
2015
2015
A NEW APPROACH
Kelly Brady-Favaloro, Kathleen’s daughter, took over ownership. Kelly received the Salute to Small Business Award for the best Woman-Owned Business, which recognizes the important contributions these businesses make to Monterey County. In the same year, she incorporated the Ninja Zone® to the ever growing program.
Rising Star Gymnastics: Best Woman-Owned Business
2019
2019
SERVING THE COMMUNITY
For the second year in a row (2019 and 2020), the Monterey Bay Parent Magazine Family Favorites recognizes Rising Star Gymnastics as the best Gymnastics Center, serving the Monterey County youth for the past 38 years.
Rising Star Gymnastics: Best Gymnastics Center in Monterey County
2020
2020
OUTDOOR GYMNASTICS
Rising Star Gymnastics adapts to the Covid-19 pandemic by providing a place for youngsters to train in the way they always have, but opening an opportunity to move in a new direction. A portion of the parking lot became room for outside classes, shielded by a tent.
Rising Star Gymnastics opens outdoor spaces
OUR TEAM
KELLY BRADY-FAVALORO
OWNER, GIRLS TEAM HEAD COACH, HOTSHOT COACH, PRESCHOOL INSTRUCTOR
Kelly was born and raised on the Monterey Peninsula grew up in the gym as a so called gymrat. She ran, jumped and cartwheeled around the gym with her brother as her mom coached and ran the gym. She competed in gymnastics up through JO Level 9, finishing her last year as a freshman in college. She graduated from UC Davis in 2007 with her B.S. in Human Development with a focus on Child Development. After school she moved back down to Monterey to help run Rising Star’s recreational program and teach everything from preschool & recreational gymnastics to the competitive teams. Kelly has coached numerous State & Regional champions in the Junior Olympic & XCEL programs as well as several TOPS Diamond Team members, B Camp qualifiers and National Testing qualifiers. Kelly is currently the head coach for the Level 6-10 girls team, however, she loves coaching the preschool and recreational students too!
Kelly’s favorite parts of coaching gymnastics include watching the excitement in the young student’s eyes when they learn a new skill as well as when her more advanced gymnasts overcome an extended fear of a skill and finally go for it! As a gymnast herself she especially loved the challenge of conditioning, the fun of swinging around the bars and thrill of tumbling on the floor. Kelly cannot wait to spread to love of gymnastics to her two young daughters, Zoe and Cleo, who are now gymrats themselves!
In her spare time Kelly enjoys spending time with her husband and daughters, exploring the outdoors, working in her garden and experiencing different cultures around the world!
KAT KITAMURA
TEAM DIRECTOR, GIRLS TEAM COACH
FABRICIO “BREEZE” OLSSON
BOYS TEAM HEAD COACH, GIRLS TEAM COACH
SAGE BARCA-HALL
DYNAMO COACH, GIRLS TEAM COACH, PRESCHOOL & RECREATIONAL INSTRUCTOR
THOMAS TREVINO
GIRLS TEAM COACH, RECREATIONAL INSTRUCTOR
EVIN DEL ROSARIO
NINJA ZONE INSTRUCTOR, SPORTS AGILITY INSTRUCTOR, TNT INSTRUCTOR
ISRAEL SERRANO
NINJA ZONE INSTRUCTOR, SPORTS AGILITY INSTRUCTOR
JONATHON GUTSHALL
NINJA ZONE INSTRUCTOR
JACQUELINE WEIXEL
SWEET PEAS PROGRAM DIRECTOR, SWEET PEAS INSTRUCTOR
MONICA JUSTICE
SWEET PEAS INSTRUCTOR
ASHLEY EOFF
SWEET PEAS INSTRUCTOR, RECREATIONAL GYMNASTICS INSTRUCTOR
TAMMIE TYLER
SWEET PEAS INSTRUCTOR, RECREATIONAL GYMNASTICS INSTRUCTOR
ALYSSA LLAMAS
SWEET PEAS INSTRUCTOR, RECREATIONAL GYMNASTICS INSTRUCTOR
TIVA ROCCO
SWEET PEAS INSTRUCTOR, RECREATIONAL GYMNASTICS INSTRUCTOR
MIKAYLA CASTILLO
SWEET PEAS INSTRUCTOR, RECREATIONAL GYMNASTICS INSTRUCTOR
JENNEANE BREIDENBACH
OFFICE MANAGER