Coaches & Staff


Director/Head Coach
Amanda Burkholder
Amanda has over 25 years of management skills under her belt, which includes: multiple Manager of the Year Awards, Six Sigma Certified, several top performance and sales awards. Teaching has always been a passion of hers. She has been a mentor, a trainer, and a coach in many fields. She has also ran her own successful balloon décor and event planning company since 2006 and has developed a good relationship among the parade and Kid Biz associates in Ashtabula & Lake County. Amanda is very involved in the community and loves coaching.
In the baton world, she has led the TNT Starlettes to over 150 National and International Titles. Produced skilled twirlers, cheerleaders, majorettes and pageant competitors, who have went on to win championships, titles and more. She is a certified twirling judge with Twirling Unlimited, World Twirling Association and Amateur Athletic Union. She has previously coached under the Mirage Twirling Corp and has been trained by Gino Cicerella, 12 time World Champion.
“We have a phenomenal group and helping people funnel their passion to lead them to succeed is my specialty. I know that a great things are in store for our Starlettes and am just thankful to be a part of it.”

Assistant Director/Coach
Amanda McGee
I twirled on this team when I was in high school and never left. I've been a competitive twirler since I was 14 years old. I twirled throughout high school and was a Madison Majorite. I started student teaching and have worked my way up to be the Assistant Director. I love to read and have four adorable bunnies. Winning is an important part in competition teams, but we push for progress in all of our teams and individuals. That being said, the way that the team supports each other makes me so proud to be their coach. The teammates treat each other like they are family and want everyone to succeed. I love TNT because from the beginning we wanted to be different; we avoid the toxicity of other competition teams, and are proud to call ourselves a 'No Drama' team. We are one team. Everyone supports each other, everyone claps for every individual performing, and everyone understands that their actions have both positive and negative repercussions. We have tried to give our competitors direction and guidance in their baton careers and life. We are very proud of each one on the team!

Natalie Dernier
Assistant Coach
​​​​
​This will be my 8th year. I competed with TNT for 7 years and was also a Riverside Majorette for 4 years of high school. I am currently a Junior at Ursuline College, studying to become a Special Education Teacher. I love spending time with my friends and family and of course my dog Goose. I have so many great memories but my favorite was being able to perform one last time at Twirling Unlimited Nationals 2023, I missed being on the floor and really loved getting out there one more time. I love TNT because we are family. I love this team!

Allanah Burkholder
Student Teacher
​​
As a student coach, I’m passionate about helping twirlers grow in both skill and confidence. I currently compete in the advanced division and rank among the top 5 competitive twirlers with TU, WTA & AAU. I'm proud to serve as the Feature Twirler for Thiel College and was previously a four-year majorette at Perry High School. Outside of TNT, I’ve held the title of Miss Grapette 22–23. One of my favorite TNT memories was winning a 17-team division at TU Nationals with my senior girls. The energy, support, and celebration from our team made it a moment I’ll never forget—and one I hope to recreate with future teams I help lead. Twirling has shaped me in so many ways. It’s where I’ve found confidence, leadership, and lifelong friendships. As a coach, my goal is to create a space where every twirler feels supported, celebrated, and challenged to become their best.
​​​
2024 AAU Presidential World Cup High School Twirler
2024 AAU Top Twirler at the Point
2024 Teenage TU World Majorette
2024 WTA World's Most Beautiful Queen
2025 Adv 15-17 Miss Universal

Marie Lamson
Assistant Coach
​Although this is my second season coaching with TNT, I have been watching this team grow since the very beginning! I’ve worked with kids for 5 years and understand the importance of educating them through reassurance, Consistency and fun! Learning to twirl with this team has been so rewarding, and I can't wait to continue to learn, teach and have fun this upcoming season! WHO ARE WE?!

Cailyn King
Student Teacher
I’m a Geneva High School Senior, and also a cheerleader and majorette at Geneva. I’ve been twirling since I was 5, taking a break for a few years to explore other interests like volleyball and competitive cheer, but I always come back to where my heart belongs, Twirling. I may not have been at TnT long, but I found my family and home here. I’m so excited to share my passion and love for twirling this year, and hope to continue inspiring others to twirl for many years to come!

Erin West
Student Teacher
I started twirling with TNT when I was 8 years old and hasn’t been able to put it down since. “This team and the coaches became such a huge part in my life on and off the floor.” I was also a Perry High School cheerleader and majorette!! " I love spending time with friends, family and my fur babies. I can’t wait to help other kids fall in love with this sport like she did."

Kristie Nemeth
Admin/Travel Manager
I have been with TNT and working with children for 32 years. I am a wife and a mom to 2 girls! I love being with my family. I love watching the girls perform, you can tell they love what they do even though my girls are adults now, we are still a part of the group. I treat everyone on the team like they are my own. Wes are one big family and love being together.

Photographer/Team Assistant
I have been with TNT since 2017. I am a mother of 3. Both of my girls are a part of TNT. I work full time and spend my free time with my kids. I love to travel which is a huge reason why we all love TNT. My Favorite part of TNT is how it's a family. Everyone comes together and we hang out and get along. My favorite memory so far is watching the girls just do what they love. The fun they have and the friends they all make is an amazing thing. I love TNT because of the opportunities it gives for these young girls. It teaches them sportsmanship, teamwork, friendship. It allows them to be who they area and bond as a family.

Melissa Padilla
Team Assistant
My name is Melissa Padilla. I am blessed to be married to my incredible husband Jose Padilla since 1996. We are proud parents of two beautiful daughters and three amazing grandchildren. I first joined TNT in 2019 as a nurse for the team, and although my time was short-lived, I was inspired by the athletes' determination. After a brief hiatus, I have returned to TNT this year, and I am thrilled to be part of this amazing team. I am grateful for the opportunity to work with such talented athletes and I look forward to seeing the incredible things they will achieve.

Seamstress
​ 11 years as a travel parent. I am the mom of 3 talented girls, all actively involved in TNT competition pom and baton teams! I live in Madison with my family and work full time in Accounts Payable. When I get a little time to myself, you may find me researching my family tree, reading a good novel, catching old reruns of Seinfeld or the Golden Girls and snuggling with the best pup in the whole world, Roscoe P. Coltrane

Videographer
​
No Bio Available


