LA LUNA RHYTHMIC
GYMNASTICS ACADEMY
Home of USA National Team Members
OUR COACHES AND STAFF
Head Coach
Founder and
Program Director
Glika
Mitro
Assistant Director
Competitive Team Coach and Co-Meet Organizer
Lyudmila
Polivanova
Co-Head Coach
Level 2/3/4
Team Supervisor and Coach
Drama and Presentation
Former Member of USAG National Team,
Competitive Team Coach
Junior Team and
Competitive Team
Coach
Team Coach
Coach Pre Team
in Dance and Ballet
Team Coach
Coach Pre Team
Coach Pre Team
Coach Pre Team
Arzu Karaali
Coach Arzu Karaali is the Founder, Owner, of La Luna Rhythmic Gymnastics Academy. With more than 30 years of coaching experience, she has built one of the Pacific Northwest's most successful rhythmic gymnastics programs. Throughout her career, she has guided athletes to State, Regional, National, and USAG National Team success and has received numerous Coach of the Year recognitions. She is former National & FIG Judge from her country and present USAG DVP Judge.
Beyond competitive achievements, Coach Arzu has created a unique family culture at La Luna. Many of her former gymnasts remain connected to the academy long after their competitive careers, returning as coaches, mentors, performers, and role models while attending college and pursuing professional careers. Their continued involvement reflects the lasting relationships, loyalty, and strong community she has built through the years.
Since 2013, Coach Arzu has served as the Founder, Artistic Director, Producer, and Original Choreographer of the Annual La Luna Kiss Show. This unique production brings together all La Luna coaches and competitive gymnasts as performers, celebrating athletic excellence, creativity, and teamwork. Many of the coaches performing in the show are former La Luna gymnasts who grew up in the academy and now help inspire the next generation of athletes.
Coach Arzu's passion extends beyond medals and titles. Her goal is to help every gymnast grow into a confident, disciplined, and successful young person while creating memories and friendships that last a lifetime. Through her dedication to sport, artistry, and mentorship, she continues to inspire generations of gymnasts and their families.
"I'm very happy we have established a powerful program that serves our community with grace and beauty! Truly proud that so many of my gymnasts are coaching with me at the Academy. Some of them are in college, some of them are married and some are working. I have to say that they all have grown to be wonderful and remarkable young women, living with a purpose, working toward a goal. Rhythmic gymnastics has taught them discipline, elegance, and strength."- Arzu Karaali
Lyudmila Polivanova
World-Class Rhythmic Gymnastics Coach | National Team Coach | International Judge
Seattle, Washington, USA
PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
World-class Rhythmic Gymnastics Coach with 30 years of professional coaching experience at the national and international levels. Olympic Games Coach at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games, with extensive experience preparing elite athletes for World Championships, World Cup, Pan American Games, and other international competitions.
Recognized as Coach of the Year and National Team Coach, with a proven record of developing elite athletes and National Team members in the United States. International Judge with FIG Brevet 3 (BRÉVET 3) qualification.
Throughout her career in the United States, Lyudmila Polivanova has developed a generation of elite rhythmic gymnasts, including athletes who became members of the USA National Team.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Rhythmic Gymnastics Coach / National Team Coach
United States
• 30 years of professional coaching experience in rhythmic gymnastics.
• Coached elite and National Team athletes at national and international competitions.
• Prepared athletes for World Championships, World Cups, Pan American Games, and other major international competitions.
• Served as a coach at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
• Coached athletes at Pan American Games.
• Developed and mentored athletes who advanced to the USA National Team.
• Worked with gymnasts across developmental, elite, and national-team levels.
• Provided technical, artistic, physical, and competitive preparation for high-level athletes.
• Mentored younger coaches and athletes and contributed to the development of rhythmic gymnastics
Shawnene Hersey
Shawnene has been with the La Luna RGA since 2012, helping gymnasts with presentation and drama. In 2016, she received the “Coach of the Year” award from the USAG Rhythmics Region 2. She is currently the artistic and creative design consultant for the annual La Luna Kiss performance. Shawnene is a USAG safety certified professional.
She obtained her strong background in music and drama from being part of numerous community theater musical productions. Her most memorable production was “The Baker’s Wife” at the Everett Performing Arts Center. Shawnene thrives in creating things- from stage props and paintings to crafts and costumes. Through all her experience, she is able to help build the gymnasts’ confidence and artistry. Prior to joining La Luna RGA, Shawnene spent over 20 years working as a corporate technical project manager. She has lived in Washington state since 1994 and is married with 3 beautiful children, all heavily involved in sports.
“I love the stage, performance, and everything that goes with it. I contribute to the girls by teaching them how to deal with all that nervous energy and showing them ways to make it work for them with confidence.” - Shawnene Hersey
Glika Mitro
Coach Glika has been with La Luna RGA since 2013, beginning as one of Coach Arzu’s competitive gymnasts. Alongside her rhythmic gymnastics training, she completed six years of ballet training and competed in the 2018 Youth America Grand Prix Ballet Competition. She began coaching at the academy in 2019, training gymnasts of all levels for competition. Glika is passionate about teaching young athletes the sport of rhythmic gymnastics and helping prepare them for their long journey to success. Today, she assists Coach Arzu with organizing competitions, directing the academy, and training the competitive team. She is a USAG Safety Certified Professional.
She began rhythmic gymnastics training at the age of seven. Glika was the Region 2 Champion for five consecutive years (2015–2019) and was named USAG Athlete of the Year in 2016. She qualified for the Junior Olympic Team two years in a row and competed at the 2018 USA Gymnastics Championships in North Carolina. Before retiring as a Level 8 gymnast to focus on academics, she competed at the 2019 USA Junior Olympics in Lake Placid, where she earned first place in every event as well as the all-around title.
Glika recently graduated from University of Washington with Honors, earning a double major in French Language and English Literature. She is currently working toward her future career in the legal field, where she hopes to make a meaningful impact through her dedication, compassion, and commitment to helping others.
Emma Potra
Coach Emma started her rhythmic gymnastic training with coach Arzu in 2015 at La Luna Rhythmic Gymnastic Academy. In 2019 she was able to make L7 Junior Olympic Region II Team by ranking in the top 3 at the Region II Championships and participated at the National Championship. She ended her career as a gymnast in L9 and started coaching at La Luna. She is very happy coaching all levels from L2 to L9.
Isabella Ivanova
Coach Bella has been with La Luna Rhythmic Gymnastics Academy since 2011, initially as one of Coach Arzu's competitive gymnasts. She started her gymnastic career at the age of 7. She became a Regional Champion multiple years in row along with an "Athlete of the Year" making to Junior Olympic Team for Region 2. In 2018 Bella spent the year training in Bulgaria with world renowned coach Neshka Robeva. In 2019 she became "Master of the Sport", a level 10 Elite gymnast & represented La Luna at the National Championships becoming Ribbon National Champion. The following year she made the National Team, she have been coach by Lyudmila Polovinova, Margarita Mamzina and Natasha Kiryienka & trained at the Olympic Training center in Lake Placid. Her team "rgroups" went to the World Championships in 2021 placing 10th overall the world." Since then, she has represented the USA in multiple World Cup across the globe most recently she competed at the 2023 National Championship placing 2nd in [illegible] player. Since then she has chosen to retire & focus on her academics. She is a student at Arizona State University, pursuing her major in sport business. She is passionate about teaching younger gymnasts the beauty of rhythmic gymnastics & she is beyond grateful to be working alongside her lifelong mentor Arzu Karaali."
Coach Anna trained Rhythmic Gymnastics at La Luna Academy for 11 years under guidance of coach Arzu Karaali. Anna started Rhythmic in the year 2010 when she was 6. Before that, she did ballroom dancing, modern dance and artistic gymnastics since the age of 3. Her love of dance and desire to take part in performances brought her to Rhythmic Gymnastics. She started attending sessions with coach Arzu and she has stayed with this beautiful sport as a gymnasts and now as a coach to this moment.
Anna has achieved many great results at a multitude of competitions in Washington state, Region II USAG, many other states in the USA, and in Canada. In 2015, Anna participated at Junior Olympics in Chicago, Illinois. In the next years, she qualified and successfully participated in USA National Championships four times. In 2016 it was Providence, Rhode Island. In 2018, Greensborough, North Carolina. In 2019, the Championship was in Des Moines, Iowa. And 2021, in Saint Louis, Missouri. Under the coaching of La Luna trainers, Arzu Karaali and Ludmila Polivanova, she took many medals from these Championships. In 2018 Anna wom All Around Champion of Region II and Athlete of the Year. She has stood up on the victory podium countless times.
All this time she has been a top student in school, a member of Honor Society, kept a 4.0 GPA in the rigorous International Baccalaureate program at Inglemoor High school. After Anna’s career as a competitive gymnast has finished as a proud Level 9 gymnasts, she continued being part of the La Luna family as a coach assistant and she train younger gymnasts to help them achieve their dreams. Rhythmic Gymnastics has played decisive role in her life.
Now Anna is studiyong in sport medicine at the University of Washington beside her coaching..
Anna’s motto is "Once a gymnasts — Always a gymnast"
Jane Ironmonger
Coach Jane stared taking ballet from the age of 4. Later on, she also tried out some other types of dances while continuing taking ballet. She learn one year of Jazz and was able to go pointe in ballet.
Jane started to help with coaching at La Luna Rhythmic Gymnastic Academy in the summer of 2022. She is very happy for being able to teach little children about ballet and dance and spending time in the gym.
Kaelyn Hersey
Coach Kaelyn started rhythmic gymnastics with Coach Arzu at age 4, 2010. She competed in many out of state and regional competitions over the years, made the region 2 team, and qualified for the level 8 nationals. She competed her last season as a level 9, and began coaching at La Luna since 2022 and helping younger gymnasts teaching her skills.
Anya Initsa
Anya Initsa began her gymnastics journey at La Luna Academy in 2016 at just 7 years old. She trained under coach Arzu and coach Lyudmila, whose guidance and support helped shaped her into the athlete and coach she is today. Through the years Anya earned the titles of "Athlete of the Year" three times as well as State, Regional and a National Champion. She competed Internationally, where proudly she become Luxenburg Champion in her age. Now she is at High School and Anya continues to balance her studies with her love for gymnastics. She plans to major in Psycholoogy in collage. She is a present Team Coach at La Luna Academy since 2025 and loves working with children very much.
Keila Kruler
Coach Keila Kruler is a dedicated coach at La Luna Rhythmic Gymnastics Academy, working with our Beginner, Pre-Team, and Team gymnasts. With 9 years of experience in rhythmic gymnastics, she brings valuable knowledge, enthusiasm, and a genuine passion for helping young athletes grow.
Her background in dance and classical ballet allows her to develop graceful movement, flexibility, confidence, and artistic presentation in every gymnast she coaches. Keila is known for her caring and encouraging approach, creating a positive environment where children feel supported, motivated, and inspired to do their best.
As both a coach and role model, Keila is committed to helping each gymnast reach their full potential while fostering a lifelong love for rhythmic gymnastics. She is also proud to perform alongside the La Luna coaching team in the academy's annual productions, inspiring the next generation through both coaching and performance.
Nichole Jin
Coming Soon ...
Maybelle Ding
Maybelle began rhythmic gymnastics at La Luna Rhythmic Gymnastics Academy in 2016, at just four years old, training under Coach Arzu Karaali.
Throughout her competitive career, Maybelle demonstrated dedication and a strong passion for the sport. In 2022, she qualified to the Region 2 Team, finishing among the Top 20 Level 6 gymnasts. In 2024, she led her group to a 1st-place finish at the Regional Championships. She completed her competitive rhythmic gymnastics career at the end of the 2026 season as a Level 8 gymnast.
Her love for rhythmic gymnastics and her natural connection with children inspired her to continue her journey at La Luna as a coach and role model for the academy’s younger gymnasts.
In addition to rhythmic gymnastics, Maybelle is also involved in Chinese dance. She has brought this artistic background to La Luna as well, assisting with Chinese dance choreography for the La Luna Kiss Show.
