Becky Birdsall, Instructor
Becky began gymnastic at age 8 in Northern Idaho, she was part of a Demo/Competition Team until the age of 15 when her family moved to Illinois where she became involved in dance, focusing on Modern and Jazz. Becky became a Summer Dance Camp Councilor and student dance teacher and choreographed routines, taught new skills, and even helped start a dance squad that combined dance and gymnastics skills.
Becky is thrilled to join the Fun and Fit team where she can utilize her dance and gymnastics knowledge and her enthusiasm for teaching children.
Connie Lokkesmoe, Instructor
Connie has enjoyed gymnastics since the age of four. Her love for the sport continued as she competed two years of level five. After “retiring” from competitive gymnastics, she pursued ballet until her high school graduation. At the age of sixteen, she returned to gymnastics and discovered her passion for teaching children. She served as head coach and recreational director for her home gymnastics club in Woodland, California.
Connie’s educational pursuits include a B.A. in Christian Education from Whitefield College and a B.S. in Speech Pathology from Sacramento State University. She works as a Speech Therapy Assistant and piano teacher on the side. Her interests include gardening, music, flower arranging, family and going on adventures with her husband.
Connie is excited to join the Fun and Fit family and help children achieve their goals. She thrives on hearing “Miss Connie, I did it!” and seeing the sparkle of pride in her gymnasts eye.
Michelle Prochnow, Facility Director
As a child, Michelle was an athletic competitor in various sports including baseball, softball and gymnastics. In 1986, she became employed as an instructor with Fun and Fit Gymnastics Centers in Burbank. As the company grew as well as her love for teaching children, she held different positions including Office Manager, Special Events Coordinator and Day Camp Director.
After marrying and having children, she became a home schooling mother as well as the owner of Heaven’s Touch Travel. Throughout the years she was employed by various Travel and Fortune 300 companies holding Human Resources and Sales and Marketing appointments respectively. Upon her return to Fun and Fit, Michelle hopes to be part of the successes of teaching and living the mission of Fun & Fit “To help students believe they can accomplish whatever they put their mind and effort to” that she herself has instilled in her own children.
Michelle is CPR/First Aid Certified as well as USAG Safety Certified and KAT accredited. She enjoys volunteering for her Catholic youth group, spending time with her beautiful family, playing sports, and loves to travel and Zumba!
Jeff Lulla, President
Jeff Lulla is a member of the USAG National Safety Review Board, USA Gymnastics University system, a National Safety Instructor for USA Gymnastics, co-author of the USAG Kinder Accreditation for Teachers (KAT) Course, an industry consultant, and for years has been a seminar presenter for the Amateur Athletic Foundation, the US Association of Independent Gymnastics Clubs, Gymnastics B.C. Canada, and USA Gymnastics. He also serves on the USAG National Preschool Advisory Panel and has participated at the USAG Business Owners Conference presenting table topics on technology and marketing. Jeff Lulla earned a B.A. degree in Physical Education from CSUN in 1976, and has over 30 years of teaching and coaching experience. In 1985 Jeff opened the first Fun & Fit Gymnastics Center in Burbank, California and in 1987 opened the second Fun & Fit Gymnastics facility in Santa Clarita, California. Both Fun & Fit Centers also contract with private schools and their local city Park and Recreation Departments teaching recreational gymnastics both on and off site. In 1991 Jeff began to license a self-esteem building curriculum developed at Fun & Fit to other gymnastics schools and fitness clubs. Since then, hundreds of gymnastics and youth fitness programs internationally have been licensed to use what is called the “Fun & Fit Gymnastics Program”.
Kim Koch, Customer Service Representative
Kim keeps herself busy as a stay at home mom and a day care provider. Her daughters have been attending Fun & Fit Gymnastics since 2001. She is excited about joining the fun & Fit team herself, and using her computer and office skills which she learned while earning her Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting from CSUN. She and her husband moved to the Santa Clarita Valley in 1992. She spends her free time painting murals for her three girls and landscaping her yard.
Brittany Christensen, Instructor
Brittany has been in cheerleading and gymnastics since the age of 5. She was a cheerleader for the SCVAA Warriors from the age of 5 and until she was 10 years old. She went to many different gyms around the Santa Clarita Valley including Fun and Fit. She is now a Varsity Cheerleader at Canyon High School. She also plans to have a career in dentistry someday.
Courtney Foote, Instructor
Courtney recently moved to California after obtaining a Bachelor’s degree in Communication from the University of Houston. He began gymnastics training at the age of 5 at Byron’s Gymnastics in Houston, Texas. His talents took him to Brown’s Gymnastics where he competed nationally. Upon entering high school, he took his acrobatic talents to the National Basketball Association performing acrodunking for the Houston Rockets, and entertained crowds across the country with Team Acrodunk and the High Impact Squad.
Courtney also excelled in the world of competitive cheerleading. During his high school years, he performed with Texas Lone Star Cheer. For the following three years, he held a coaching position at PTX Cheer while simultaneously studying full time and performing with the U of H cheerleading team.
Courtney says, “Everyday I strive to impact lives through the power of acrobatics.” As a resident of Los Angeles, he will be able to influence our youth in a positive and healthy fashion.
Ryan Garner, Head Instructor
Ryan began gymnastics at the age of 5. He competed until the age of 15 and continued to Coach and practice through High School. After High School he moved to Hawaii and spent the next 10 years of his life there where he met the love of his life and married her. Wanting to continue his education he and his wife moved to California so that he could attend art school, majoring in animation.
After graduation he plans to continue teaching gymnastics and hope to be able to independently contract himself as an artist for animation and illustration. He also is a big comics book fan and hopes to one day write and draw is own comic book. Ryan loves gymnastics with all of his heart and loves working with children. Teaching skills that he believes can help raise their self-esteem, their confidence and improve their lives for the better.
Gia Huntoon, Instructor
Gia’s compassion and love for gymnastics started when she was about 7 years old. She competed throughout her whole life making her way up to level 7 and training level 8. But the competitive gymnastics training regime took its toll – after many injuries and two surgeries she decided to continue her love of gymnastics by teaching. Gia is a very outgoing, fun, and loving person. “I am very excited to be apart of the Fun and Fit Gymnastics family”, she says. “I am so excited to share my passion for gymnastics with the children and be a part of their on going learning experience!”
Gia is currently attending College of the Canyons full time studying Criminal Justice. She hopes to pursue a career in law enforcement.
Cristina Sandino, Customer Service Representative
Cristina was employed with Fun & Fit in 1993. She then went on to marry her husband and reared her 4 boys who have been enrolled at Fun & Fit throughout the years. Previously, she has worked as a Customer Relations Representative and enjoys utilizing her customer service skills while working with people making sure they leave here with a smile on their face. Cristina is glad to once again be part of the Fun & Fit family.
Carlo Zarcone, Instructor
Carlo Zarcone is a native of Southern California and has been training in gymnastics since the age of 12, beginning at Fun & Fit. He is excited to finally become a member of the training staff at the gym where his interest in gymnastics began. Currently attending Frazier Mountain High, Carlo has aspirations to attend a local Southern California college majoring in both music and physical education.
” I love working at Fun & Fit. Not only is it great exercise for me, but I love teaching kids gymnastics and being part of their lives in that way. It has special meaning to me and I enjoy seeing the kids having fun and learning the skills that we teach here.”
Kiara Hunt, Instructor
Kiara Hunt danced competitively since the young age of 2 and began cheerleading at the age of 10. In dance, Kiara won 60+ competitions, before the age of 10 with all of her own, original choreography. In cheer, she won the title of “All-American” 3 years in a row, and was invited to be flown out by the United Cheer Association to Italy, London, and Spain to compete on an international level.
Kiara is currently studying psychology at College of the Canyons, and hopes to transfer to UCLA in the next year to become a Psychiatrist. “Being a positive aspect in a child’s life, promoting psychological strength, building confidence, and of course having an outlet for fun is what I strive for”, says Kiara. She is constantly trying to better herself and others in a way which revolves around optimism. Kiara loves being around children, and helping them develop into independent and happy individuals.
