About Us

About Phoenix Gymnastics Academy

Phoenix Gymnastics Academy was established in 1982. Over the past 40 years, we have become known as one of the top gymnastics programs in Arizona. The owners, Mike and Donna Payne, are both highly respected coaches in the gymnastics community. Mike was a collegiate level gymnast from the Mid-West, and moved to Arizona in 1980. In 2022 Mike was inducted into the Indiana Gymnastics Hall of Fame. Donna currently has an National rating as a NAWGJ gymnastics judge. Over the years, they have coached thousands of children – many of them earning State, Regional, and National Championship titles, as well as college athletic scholarships. Phoenix Gymnastics Academy is a family-owned business with family members actively involved in all aspects of the business. Many of PGA’s former athletes are now passing on their love for the sport by coaching at Phoenix Gymnastics & Dance Academy.

Gymnastics Facilities

Our 12,000 sq. foot state-of-the-art facility is conveniently located in the Deer Valley area, just North of the 101 Freeway on the West side of 19th Ave. We have been the home to aspiring athletes for 40 years!

  • Fully air conditioned gym
  • Wireless internet access
  • Lower and upper level viewing area for gym and dance
  • In-ground tumble trak and trampolines
  • 2 in-ground foam pits
  • Multiple sets of equipment
  • Equipment for boys and girls gymnastics
  • Dance room with floating floor
  • Gymnastics attire for sale
  • Circle drive for easy drop-off & pick-up

Meet Our Trained Instructors

The instructors at Phoenix Gymnastics and Dance Academy are a group of dedicated, highly knowledgeable professionals. Their passion is to help children build confidence in their abilities. The PGA staff has been recognized for their outstanding achievements by the Arizona Women’s Gymnastics Community. All instructors carry certifications through USA Gymnastics to ensure that your child is in the best care while they enjoy gymnastics and dance. These certifications include Fundamentals of Gymnastics Instruction, Safety and Risk Management, and Safe Sport. Our Competitive coaches are even further certified to ensure every athletes safety and care.


Gymnastics Coaches
  • Rylee Avery
  • Mimi Bergman
  • Chloe Bretoi
  • Kaley Brummet
  • Liz Geerling
  • Robyn Gregory
  • Gracie McGaughey
  • Amy Madsen
  • Ella Peltier
  • Riley Elliott
  • Kathy Dunn
  • Ellen Hinkle
  • Jerry Hinkle
  • Jodi Wilder
  • Abby Madsen
  • Erin Saunders
  • Camdynn Ziegler
  • Cierra Riley
Hip Hop Teacher
  • Luciana Watkins
gymnast floor move

Womens Gymnastics Teams

At Phoenix Gymnastics Academy, we have multiple women's gymnastics teams that compete under the USA Gymnastics Developmental Program.

  • Pre-teams (preparation for team programs)
  • Compulsory girls (Levels 2-5)
  • Optionals (levels 6-10)
  • Xcel (silver-gold-platinum)
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Hall of Fame

Stacy Carroll

  • 1988 Class I JO National Qualifier
  • 1988 Elite Qualifier
  • 1989 US American Classic 8th All Around
  • 1989 Elite US Jr National Team Member


Marci Snyder

  • 1990 Class I JO National Qualifier (8th Vault)


Trisha Blachowski (Denver University)

  • 1990 Class I JO National Qualifier


Katie Clancy (Stanford University)

  • 1990 Class I JO National Qualifier


Christine Niebling (Washington University)

  • 1990 Class I JO National Qualifier
  • 1992 Class I JO National Qualifier


Shannon Passe (Utah State University)

  • 1990 Class I JO National Qualifier (7th Beam)
  • 1993 Class I JO National Qualifier
  • 1993 Class I National Bronze Medalist Vault


Amy Brandon (Denver University)

  • 1990 Class I JO National Qualifier
  • 1991 Class I JO National Qualifier
  • 1992 Class I JO National Qualifier
  • 1995 Level 10 JO National Qualifier


Dena Amanati

  • 1993 Class I JO National Qualifier


Becky Ormand

  • 1994 Level 10 JO National Qualifier
  • 1995 Level 10 JO National Qualifier


Krissy Richards (Utah State University)

  • 1995 Level 10 JO National Qualifier (4th Beam)


Megan Carey

  • 1998 Level 9 Western National All Around Champion


Jaime Holton (University of Arizona)

  • 1999 Level 9 Western National All Around & Floor Champion
  • 2000 Level 10 JO National Qualifier (7th Beam, 8th Floor, 10th All Around)
  • 2002 Level 10 JO National Qualifier


Ashley Hinkle (Arizona State University)

  • 2001 Level 10 JO National Qualifier
  • 2002 Level 10 JO National Qualifier
  • 2002 Level 10 National Floor Champion
  • 2004 Level 10 JO National Qualifier


Fairen Plummer (University of New Hampshire)

  • 2002 Level 10 National Qualifier
  • 2002 Level 10 Nationals Bronze Medal All Around
  • 2002 Level 10 National Uneven Bar Champion
  • 2002 Level 10 JO National Team Member
  • 2003 Level 10 National Qualifier


Brianna Formosa

  • 2003 Level 10 National Qualifier
  • 2004 Level 10 National Qualifier (4th Beam)


Juliet Roberts

  • 2003 Level 9 Western National All Around Champion


Kelly Reilly (Arizona State University)

  • 2006 Level 10 National Qualifier


Ashley Atkinson

  • 2008 Level 10 JO National Qualifier


Raquel Willman (Brigham Young University)

  • 2005 Level 9 Western National Qualifier
  • 2006 Level 10 JO National Qualifier


Haylee Rollins (Brigham Young University)

  • 2009 Level 10 JO National Qualifier
  • 2009 Level 10 Nationals Silver Medalist Vault


Doniele Volopich (Southern Utah University)

  • 2010 Level 10 NIT National Qualifier
  • 2010 Level 10 NIT National Floor Champion


Brianna Gades (Arizona State University)

  • 2007 Level 9 Western National Uneven Bar Champion
  • 2008 Level 10 JO National Qualifier
  • 2009 Level 10 JO National Qualifier
  • 2009 Level 10 Nationals Silver Medalist Balance Beam
  • 2010 Level 10 JO National Qualifier
  • 2010 Level 10 Nationals Silver Medalist Balance Beam


Dannon Gregory (San Jose State University)

  • 2011 Gymnastics Scholarship


Cierra Edwards

  • 2010 Level 10 NIT National Qualifier


Denali Dickson

  • 2014 Level 9 Western National Floor Champion


Haley Flynn

  • 2013 Western Nationals Qualifier


Dani Santos

  • 2014 Level 9 Western National Championships 3rd Bars


Juliet Besana

  • 2019 Western Nationals Qualifier


Alyssa Bigler

  • 2019 Level 9 Western National Championships 3rd Beam
  • 2019 Level 9 Western National Championships 2nd Floor
  • 2022 Level 10 National Championships 6th Vault
  • 2022 Level 10 National Championships 8th All Around


Kayla Jo

  • 2021 Western National Champion Uneven Bars
  • 2022 Western National Qualifier