Fred Turoff
Program Director
Former head coach of men’s gymnastics at Temple University 1976-2017, now assistant coach at Temple; former NGJA and FIG judge; member of US National Team 1969 & 1970; inducted into USAG Hall of Fame in August, 2009.
Walt Kenney
Coach of levels 5 and up plus preschool
Walt graduated from Temple U in 1982. In his senior year he was 2nd all-around in the EIGL. Walt has much experience, having coached at both John Pancott Gymnastics Center and Upper Merion Dance and Gymnastics Center prior to joining PBG. He’ll work mainly with levels 4, 6-8.
Nia Allen
Instructor of girls and preschool
Nia is a graduate of Temple University, where she was a competing member of the Temple co-ed club team. In action prior to college, she was a level 10 gymnast who qualified for our level 10 Nationals. Nia works with our preschool program and our beginner girls.
Nyla Welsh
Instructor of beginner girls and preschool
Nyla completed her freshman year at Temple University where she studied criminal justice and dance. She is now at Circadium School of Contemporary Circus to pursue a diploma in circus arts. When she was younger she took dance and gymnastics, but quickly decided she wanted to focus on ballet and studied at Central Pennsylvania Youth Ballet for 10 years. She also began training in aerial arts when she was in high school.
Brandon Johnson
Instructor of levels 1&2
Brandon is a graduate of Temple University and is currently doing graduate studies in Architecture. He participated with the Temple U coed gymnastics team program.
Morgan Leecost
Instructor of levels 1&2
Morgan is from Frederick, Maryland. She is a junior at Temple University majoring in kinesiology and is the social media chair for on the co-ed gymnastics team along with competing for them. She’s done gymnastics since she was 7 years old, but never consistently because she moved around a lot as a child. Finally, she started competing at 13 years old at Frederick Gymnastics Club.
Annika Toro-Gordon
Instructor of beginner girls, boys and preschool
Annika is a sophomore at Temple U. She coached previously for 5 years at Top Flight and then at Magma, working with all ages. She started gymnastics when she was 12 and was on a USAIGC gold team back at home.
Sydney McNeil
Instructor of levels 1&2
Sydney is a member of the Temple U Co-ed Gymnastics Club.
Jesse Kitzen-Abelson
Coach of preteam and level 3 in May-August
Jesse is the head coach of Temple University Men’s Gymnastics Team. He was an NCAA competitor in his college days, and qualified for the NCAA Championships. After graduating, he spent 5 year coaching in South Africa before returning the the US to enter the collegiate coaching ranks. He was assistant coach at Temple U for a year before taking over, while former coach Fred Turoff moved to assistant coach. Jesse also teaches at Circadeum, a circus arts school in Philadelphia. Jesse coached the senior men at the 2022 Maccabiah Games in Israel.
Kaitlin Chin
Aerial skills coach
Kaitlin is a professional aerialist and has performed extensively in the US. She is eager to share her knowledge of silks and other aerial skills.
Matt Coljohn
Instructor of beginner boys
Matt is a senior at Temple U and competed for the Temple U Men’s Gymnastics Team previously.