Staff

• Originally from the Soviet Union, Eduard comes from a tradition of excellence in the sport of gymnastics. Following in the footsteps of his father, the famous Albert Azarian, Eduard is a second generation World Champion & Olympic Gold Medal Winner.
  Eduard's credits include:
• 1975 All Around Junior National Champion of the USSR
• 1976 Member of the USSR Senior National Team
• 1976-1979  Winner of several international competitions
• 1978  Silver medalist of the World Championship in France
• 1979  P Bars Gold medalist at World Cup Championship in Japan1979 All-Around Champion Spartakaide
• 9-Time Champion of the USSR
• 1980 All Around 2nd place at World Cup Championship in Ontario, Canada 
• 1980 Olympic Gold Medalist
• 13 years coaching experience in the USSR with the boys and girls National Team
• Coaching in the USA since 1992.  Trained many State Champions,  Regional Champions, Junior National Champions, and USA Junior National Team Members
• 35 years of coaching experience. 16 years of personal training and competing experience
• 2004 Coach of the Year  Award
• 2009 Coach of the Year Award
• 2010 Coach of the Year Award
  Click here for more on Eduard Azarian

• President of the USA Men’s Gymnastics Coaches Association, 2003
• Member of the USA Gymnastics Board of Directors, 2004
• Men’s Region 1 Chairman, 1998-2000
• Men’s State Director, 1989-1993, 1995-1998
• USA Jr. Olympic Program Committee member, 1998-2000
• Co-Meet Director of the Jr. Olympic National Championships, 1991, 2002, 2004
• International (F.I.G.) Judging rating, 1997-2000
• National Judging rating since 1985
• USA Gymnastics Safety Certified since 1987
• “Frank Cumiskey Award” 2003 (highest award in the USA Jr. Olympic Program!)
• “Coach of the Year” Southern California 1993
• “Iron Man Award” (best overall team in So. Cal.) 1986 & 1993
• 6 USA Junior National Team Members (1985, 1986, 1986, 1992, 1994, 1994)
• 3 USA Junior National Champions (Vault 1986, FX 1992, FX 1995)
• 5 National Development Team Members (2000, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005)
• 2003 World Championships, Floor Manager
• USA Gymnastics Event Staff, 2003-2008
• 27 years coaching experience (since 1981)
• US Gymnastics Training Center, Owner - 16 years
• FIG Judge at the USA Senior National Championships, 1997 & 1998
• FIG Judge at USA vs. Germany International Junior Duel Meet, 1997
• 2009 Coach of the Year Award 
• 2010 Coach of the Year Award

Vanessa has been coaching gymnastics since 2002.  Following in her sisters foot steps she joined the sport at the age of 2 and has lived in it ever since.  She has coached preschool through girls competitive level 9 but focuses on the compulsory levels and excel.  She believes that instilling the right foundation in gymnastics is critical for future progress.  She has also spent the last few years assisting in the management of another major Orange County gym.  Her coaching philosophy is “You can only get out of this sport what you put into it.  That includes coaches!  You can’t expect your child to go out there and dominate unless you have embedded in her every single day the tools needed to achieve her goals!  Work your girls hard but work yourself harder, give them confidence and pride and demand perfection because if you don’t they wont strive for it!  They will surprise you with what they can achieve!” 

Albina has over ten years of working in the gymnastics office environment as an office manager, special events coordinator and an academy supervisor. Albina has grown up in the world of gymnastics and dance. She did gymnastics for five years and has danced for over nine years in Hip Hop and Jazz. Albina has coached gymnastics for Levels 1-5 including Pre Team and Competitive Team. She has also helped choreograph a routine for a North Orange County dance company that she was training and performing with. Currently, Albina is the office manager & special events coordinator at Azarian Gymnastics.

Krassi is a talented coach and choreographer. She is multi-lingual, speaking English, Bulgarian, Russian, and Italian. Krassi started gymnastics at age 6, and by age 11 this prodigy was on Bulgaria's National Team. Her notable achievements include three Gold medals and one Silver at the 1976 Bulgarian National Championships. She competed at the 1978 World Championships in Stratsburg, France, and at the 1979 World Championships in Ft. Worth, Texas, which qualified Krassi to the 1980 Olympic Games in Moscow. While her Olympic dream did not come true (no appearance due to a serious knee injury), Krassi continued to represent Bulgaria's National Team in several international competitions until 1982.

Krassi is a former FIG International Judge brevet. She possesses a Masters Degree in Pedagogics and Sports Training. In 1983 she began work for Bularia's Gymnastics Federation Research Team, analyzing the performance of high-level gymnasts during training sessions, and designing a more effective skill and ability testing program. She later spent four years in Italy after a special invitation from the Italian Gymnastics Federation to work with their athletes. After several years of coaching National Team members in both Bulgaria and Italy, Krassi came to the U.S. in 1998. Since then, she has been coaching at different club in the US, including Charter Oak Gliders and Top Flight Gymnastics.

In 2002 Krassi was nominated for the Southern California Coach of the Year Award based on her outstanding coaching achievements.

Some of Krassi’s accomplishments include:

• 2005 Level 8 Regionals 3^rd AA
• 2006 Level 7 and Level 9 Regionals 1^st AA
• 2007 Level 8 State 1^st AA, Regionals 2^nd FX, Level 9 State 1^st AA, 1^st FX, 1^st & 2^nd Balance Beam
• 2008 Western Championships 1^st AA, 1^st FX, 2^nd BB
• 2008 Level 10 State 1^st AA, 2^nd BB, & 1^st Team
• 2009 Level 9 Regionals 1^st AA
• 2010 State & Regionals Champions & JO Nationals qualifiers      

Just to name a few.

Ivan began gymnastics at age 8 and began competing at age 10. Ivan competed at the compulsory and optional levels. He was a vault champion several years in a row, yet high bar was his favorite event to compete.  Due to an injury while in high school, Ivan was unable to further his gymnastics career after high school.

Ivan began coaching boys and girls in 1995, while still in high school. He has coached beginning level girls as well as elite level girls. His favorite event to coach is bars. Many of his gymnasts have competed at regional and national championships.

Ivan received an AA degree while attending Orange Coast College, as well as completing his A&P (Airframe &  Powerplant) certification. Ivan hopes to coach college level athletes in the future.

Coach Daniel has been coaching gymnastics since 1992.  With a heart for kids and a desire to see them grow and develop, he enjoys teaching academy classes ranging from beginning boys through pre-team.

Daniel began gymnastics at age 14 and competed throughout high school. He now coaches because it gives him the chance to connect with kids one-on-one - and along with their parents and teachers - provide them with the skills necessary to do well in life.  “I try to create an encouraging environment in which each child can feel accepted, have fun, be challenged and do things they never thought they could!  Once a child understands that the disciplines gain them the freedom to do what they really love, they excel! It’s always a pleasure to see the boys move through the levels, build their confidence and develop into not just amazing athletes, but capable young men with the character and values to sustain their successes.”

Daniel enjoys working at Azarian U.S. Gymnastics Training Center because it is a family atmosphere with capable and caring coaches and staff!  And he always welcomes parents to inquire about their child’s progress.

Coach Daniel is CPR and Safety certified and also teaches an adult gymnastics class for those who’d like to condition or improve upon their current skills.  When he is not coaching, Daniel is a recruiter for an Arts College and works with the youth at his church.

Michael has been a member of Azarian Gymnastics Training Center since the age of three and joined the competitive team at the age of four. He was formerly a three-time member of the National Future Stars Team, a two time J.O. Nationals Qualifier, Region One Select Team Member, and Region One All Around Champion in 2004. Michael has currently moved on to coaching the Azarian Gymnastics Boys’ team along the side of his mentors Eduard Azarian and Tim Klempnauer. He believes that gymnastics raises an individuals self esteem and the sport produces young athletic individuals who are capable of reaching any goal they desire to pursue.

Michelle participated in formal gymnastics as a youth from age 5 through 18 and assisted in coaching younger students during that time.  Michelle has a degree in elementary education and taught for several years in the K-2 age group.  After staying home with her two children when they were young Michelle taught tumbling, physical education and pre-school related classes to children ages 5 months to 9 years at a children’s gym for 3 years prior to joining Azarian.  Michelle brings over 20 years of experience teaching and coaching young children.  Michelle enjoys helping the children at Azarian reach their goals and succeed in a positive, fun and rewarding atmosphere.

Andrea has been coaching gymnastics since 2004. She was involved in cheerleading throughout her elementary years. She continued cheerleading in middle school, as well as Drill Team. Once entering High School she began tumbling for High School Cheer. While in high school, Andrea also was involved in many sports; soccer, track and softball. After graduating, Andrea began coaching gymnastics. Andrea has coached gymnastics for levels 1-4. Andrea is CPR and safety certified. She currently attends Santiago Canyon College and Santa Ana College. Andrea is currently on the women’s Track & Field Team, where she holds the college record for the woman’s 4x100 Relay Race Team. Her coaching philosophy is “teach with all your might, love with all your heart and laugh until you just can’t stop.” Andrea’s favorite quote that she loves telling her students when they are down, “You begin to achieve when you begin to believe!” She believes it’s 100% true!

Andrea has been involved in gymnastics all her life.  She started in the Parent N Me classes with her twin sister when she was just an infant.  Andrea eventually worked her way up to the team level, competing nationally as a competitive level 10 gymnast. Andrea still remains active training and competing in Triathlons all over the state.  Andrea graduated from UCI last year with a BS in Biological Science and is hoping to pursue a career in pediatrics.  Andrea loves working with children, watching them enhance their skills and practice the sport she grew up in.

People ask Mark: “When did you start gymnastics?”, and Mark has a hard time answering it. The problem is he literally took his first steps in a gym! Growing up with a sister already in the sport, Mark grew up to be a competitive gymnast as well. When Mark joined USGTC with Coach Tim Klempnauer at age 6, he was the youngest kid on team, nicknamed “Peanut”! Mark competed 7 years for USGTC & Azarian Gymnastics in competitive artistic gymnastics, and continued on for 2 years of competitive trampoline and tumbling. In the end, Mark finished 5th in the Nation on Tumbling in 2010. Mark believes that gymnastics can give a child, the “Life Skills” necessary to achieve anything they desire in life! It truly builds the foundation for everything in life. Skills like: goal setting, determination, perseverance and time management! Mark wants to give back these abilities to any child interested. He loves to see the progression of a child’s skill level, confidence and attitude. Personally gymnastics has served as a very strong foundation for Mark’s future life. Mark is currently a proud member of the Aliso Niguel High School Surf Team and has started his own business with action photography as well. Mark truly believes that gymnastics is the basis for anything a person would want out of life!

Oscar is CPR certified and has been a certified massage therapist for 6 yrs. Starting in junior high he was a cheerleader for 9 years and was hired right out off high school by UCA (Universal Cheerleaders Association) as an instructor teaching stunts, tumbling, and cheering. He began coaching Gymnastics in 2003. Oscar  has run summer programs and coached classes from ages 5 to 16, as well as heading the cheer program and coaching the adult class. He believes gymnastics is a great foundation for all sports.

Growing up in Louisville, Kentucky, Alex has been competing in gymnastics since he was in the fourth grade. After trying many different sports, his passion for gymnastics was immediate. In 2009 when his family relocated to SoCal, he joined Azarian. Under Eduard and Tim’s guidance,he won level 7 rings at state in 2010, and Level 9 highbar at regionals in 2011. Alex has always had a passion for the rings and enjoys both teaching and performing rings. He most enjoys seeing the smiles on a children's faces when they’re learning and having fun in the gym. Alex believes that the coordination a child develops in gymnastics is an incredible skill for any child to have. He is currently a student at Santa Margarita Catholic High School and a Level 10 team member.