Coaches

 Karen started doing rhythmic gymnastics when she was about 6 or7 years old and living in   Manitoba. You name it, she has done it. Recreational, competitive, group routines, solo   routines. She competed at many local competitions and started her coaching career as an Assistant Coach before she moved to BC. In 1996, Karen started coaching in Chilliwack at Majestic Rhythmic Gymnastics. She built a great reputation within the community and in 2003 Illusions was born! Since then, Karen has had 18 successful years and has taken her teams on many great adventures. These include two World Gymnaestrada’s (Sweden & Portugal), Canadian Gymnaestrada’s, Alberta GymFest, Challenge Cup, just to name a few. Karen is the heart and soul of Illusions, and you can see her passion for the sport in the way she teaches and interacts with her staff and gymnasts. She loves making memories, the friendships that last a lifetime and traveling to perform near and far.

  Jocalyn started her journey at Illusions in 1998 when she was 8 years old. She grew up         being at the gym every week and experienced every class from Beginners to the Senior   Display Team. Jocalyn loved performing and got to attend many events like GBC, Alberta   GymFest, Western/Provincial Gymnaestrada, The Challenge Cup, Canadian Gymnaestrada and many community shows. At age 14, Jocalyn started assistant coaching with Karen with the younger classes. It didn’t take long to notice how good she was with the kids, so by the time she was 16 she was running her own classes. 17 years later, Jocalyn has become a key member of the Illusions family and has built a great reputation. She loves the lifelong friendships that she has made over the years and really enjoys watching the girls she coaches do the same. Jocalyn says “I love Illusions inclusive environment. There is a spot for everyone, and this is shown in the attitude of the gymnasts and staff. All of the girls celebrate each other's accomplishments, big or small.” Her favorite memory as a coach is attending the World Gymnaestrada in Austria where she could see how happy the gymnasts were when performing and cheering on other countries. 

 Amberlea started dancing recreationally at the age of 10 and at age 13 she went on to   dance competitively for 5 years. She has performed in parades, 2010 Olympics opening   ceremonies, at car shows, and most recently with Team Canada at the World   Gymnaestrada. Amberlea’s   journey with Illusions started in 2010 when she came to teach acrobatics once a week. It didn’t   take long for her to fall in love with the sport and start coaching multiple classes. Over the years she has become a very lovable coach and loves to try new things with routines. Amberlea’s favorite part about coaching is watching the kids grow and become more confident in their skills and within their own skin. One of her fondest memories is traveling to Austria with Team Canada for the 16th World Gymnaestrada. 

 Shaelyn joined Illusions when she was 8 years old. She has always been a fast learner   and great at technique, so she moved up quickly. She has performed at many GBC   events, local competitions, The Challenge Cup in Regina, Canadian Gymnaestrada’s and   she was on our World Display Team when we attended the World Gymnaestrada in 2019. Shaelyn started assistant coaching 5 years ago with our head coach Karen. Shaelyn loves seeing the friendships form within the classes, just like she experienced when she was their age. Her favorite moments include attending GBC weekends, Canadian Gymnaestrada’s and being a part of Team Canada when we traveled to Austria for the World Gymnaestrada. 

 Cailey started gymnastics when she was 7 years old. She was living in Ontario and was at an artistic gym. When she moved to BC, she joined Illusions and continued doing   rhythmic until she was 18. Throughout the years Cailey moved her way up through   the classes, and performed at many events including GBC and The Challenge Cup. 5  years after Cailey finished high school, she was still missing the sport so she came back to coach! She has been coaching with our head coach Karen and they make a fantastic team. Cailey has always loved traveling for performances and being able to make new lasting friendships. 

 Tori started artisitic gymnastics at a young age and she was 10 years old when she joined Illusions in 2003. She has always shown her love for the sport as she moved her way up through her classes and continued to come back after graduating. She did some assistant coaching for a few years as well as performed on our Senior Display Team.  Performances she has been apart of include local competitions, GBC's, GymFest, Canadian Gymnaestrada, Challenge cup and World Gymnaestrada. Tori's favorite memories from gymnastics has been getting to travel with her teams to perform and attending the 2019 World Gymnaestrada in Austria. 

 Mylee was 7 years old when she joined Illusions in 2013. From day one, Mylee has   always been an eager learner with great technique. The past 9 years she has   performed in local competitions, Canada Day, GBC’s, Canadian Gymnaestrada, and   recently the World Gymnaestrada. While Mylee is currently on our Provincial Display Team, we are so excited to take on the new role of Assistant Coach. Mylee’s favorite part about gymnastics is the different events she has gotten the opportunity to perform at. One moment that she will never forget is performing in Austria at the World Gymnaestrada.