ENERGY, MOVEMENT, AND SKILL-BUILDING ALL IN ONE PLACE
Every leap, tumble, and practice advances development at Evolution Gymnastics. Our programs guarantee athletes of all ages acquire skills, coordination, and confidence in a stimulating setting, offering a disciplined yet entertaining learning method. From basic principles to advanced instruction, our knowledgeable coaches are committed to helping every student on their gymnastics path. Emphasizing development, safety, and enjoyment, we create an environment where athletes feel free to push themselves and honor their successes. Come see us and enjoy exercise, skill-building, and personal development.
Your Growth, Our Passion!
Entering Evolution Gymnastics, you find a setting designed for growth and support. Our love of athletic growth motivates us to provide gymnasts of all levels with professional instruction so they can improve their abilities while having fun. We stay up-to-date with the best training techniques so that every athlete gets quality teaching in a stimulating and safe environment. Our aim is to provide a friendly environment in which every student feels helped on their path. Every session, whether your goals are competition, enjoyment, or health, advances your entire potential. Come see us and enjoy the energy of movement, development, and achievement in every lesson!
Meet Coach Shannon!
Owner, Head Coach, and Competitive Team Coach
Shannon brings a lifetime of gymnastics expertise and passion to Evolution Gymnastics. A competitive gymnast since age 7, Shannon competed through college, including on the University of Delaware's intramural club team. She is a 2011 all around state champion and has competed at the national level multiple times. Shannon began coaching at 13 as a junior coach and has been leading competitive teams since she turned 18.
Shannon's background in education, including a Master's Degree in Special Education and five years of elementary teaching experience, shapes her coaching philosophy. She focuses on tailoring her approach to meet the individual needs of her athletes, ensuring they progress at a pace that builds confidence and mastery. Her expertise in teaching proper progressions and foundational skills helps athletes advance safely and effectively, setting them up for long-term success in the sport.
Outside of coaching, Shannon enjoys reading fantasy novels (especially anything by Sarah J. Maas), doing paint-by-numbers, and playing D&D and board games. Her dedication to both gymnastics and her athletes makes her the heart and soul of Evolution Gymnastics.
Meet Coach Ciera!
Assistant Team Coach and Girls’ Recreational Coach
Ciera has dedicated her life to mastering and sharing her passion for gymnastics and athletics. With five years of competitive gymnastics, five years of softball, and her current role on a Level 6 Allstar cheer team, Ciera exemplifies commitment and teamwork in everything she does. She thrives on the excitement of competing with a team and cherishes the camaraderie that comes from working together to achieve a shared goal.
Ciera's love for gymnastics started the moment she stepped into the gym and she's been hooked ever since. Volunteering as a coach during her years of competition fueled her passion for helping others excel. She loves sharing her enthusiasm for the sport with young athletes, many of whom discover their own love of gymnastics under her guidance.
"I want kids to do their best and learn how to control their bodies in this beautiful and intricate way, making it look graceful," Ciera shares. Her goal is to inspire athletes to reach their full potential while enjoying every step of the journey.
Outside of the gym, Ciera continues to pursue her athletic passions through cheerleading and enjoys motivating her teammates as much as her athletes. Her energetic and supportive style makes her a perfect fit for Evolution Gymnastics's mission to promote, growth, teamwork, and a lifelong love for gymnastics.
Meet Coach Aliyah!
Preschool and Girls’ Recreational Coach
Aliyah has been an athlete her entire life, participating in a variety of sports including track, swimming, dance, cheer, gymnastics, and soccer. Her passion for gymnastics began at age 7 when she joined competitive gymnastics, advancing to Level 7 before transitioning to Allstar cheer. This diverse background gives her a unique perspective that enriches her coaching approach.
As a gymnastics coach, Aliyah focuses on developing well-rounded athletes - both physically and mentally. She emphasizes building a strong foundation of technical skills, body awareness, flexibility, and strength, while fostering a growth mindset that encourages resilience, persistence, and positivity. "I want kids to feel safe to challenge themselves and make mistakes because failure is part of the process," she shares.
Aliyah's coaching philosophy extends beyond physical skills. She teaches her athletes that success isn't about winning or mastering a skill immediately, but about continuous improvement, effort, and enjoying the journey. Building confidence, teamwork, and respect for themselves and others are at the heart of her coaching.
Outside of the gym, Aliyah is a full-time college students at the University of Delaware. She is deeply involved on campus, serving as president of the Lambda Gamma chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc., and participating in several organizations. She also loves traveling, finding freedom and relaxation in exploring new places.
Aliyah's energy, leadership, and dedication make her a valuable part of the Evolution Gymnastics team, inspiring young athletes to grow both on and off the mat.
Meet Coach Rachael!
Girls’ Recreational Coach
Rachael combines her passion for fitness, education, and empowering others to create a fun and confidence-building experience for her athletes. With a background in volleyball, tennis, high-intensity interval training (HIIT), and Krav Maga (where she holds and orange level 2 belt and has served as an assistant teacher), Rachael brings a well-rounded and disciplined perspective to gymnastics coaching.
She holds a Bachelor's Degree in Human Services, which gives her expertise in de-escalation, crisis management, and psychology. Rachael's experience working with individuals with severe disabilities has instilled in her the value of patience and tailoring her approach to meet each athlete's unique needs.
Her coaching philosophy emphasizes building confidence: "I want my athletes to believe in themselves, not just in the gym, but throughout their lives. Gymnastics should be fun, and the lessons learned here - confidence, discipline, and resilience - will carry them far."
Outside of coaching, Rachael enjoys Krav Maga, video games (especially fantasy/RPGs), reading and writing fiction, and expressing her creativity through art. Her dynamic energy and dedication to personal growth make her an inspiring mentor for young gymnasts at Evolution Gymnastics.
Meet Coach Darren!
Health and Wellness Expert, Boys' Gymnastics Instructor
Darren brings a wealth of experience in athletics and fitness to the Evolution Gymnastics team. With a background in wrestling, football, lacrosse, and bodybuilding, Darren has been passionate about sports and fitness from a young age. On his 18th birthday, he became a certified personal trainer, working at The Village Gym (now Steel City Gym) for five years. Darren also holds an Associate's Degree in Exercise Science and multiple certifications from the International Sports Sciences Association (ISSA) including:
