Photo Gallery

Coach Mel has over 33 years experience in dance and tumbling, 23 years in Stunting, 9 years in trampoline and double mini, 7 years in Acro tumbling, as well as 20 years experience in early childhood development. Melody founded Rise Academy of Arts in April of 2018. Since then she has won many accolades with her students and athletes, having the opportunity to travel from the west coast to the east coast for various events and competitions. (Energy elite New York for winning a special award for "Wake Up" (Dance/Acro Stunting and Tumbling routine), Florida for Nationals (T& T), Las Vegas for Regionals (T&T) and many more). Melody is a renowned certified trampoline and tumbling coach, a dancer, choreographer and a former competitive dancer. She spent her younger years ice skating, tumbling, and competing in dance companies across Washington state. Melody was on her high school drill/dance team, (which helped her obtain her UDA All Star placement), she coached a competitive cheer team, and was an advanced dance company member also teaching younger students. After obtaining a full scholarship Melody was severely injured in an accident that stopped her from continuing her competitive career. Though with her love and passion for the arts she found another way. Upon her graduation she began teaching at a dance studio in Spokane, working with students 2-Adult. She is a mother of three girls. One a tumbler and one a dancer (the third is a brand new baby). Melody has always enjoyed working with children. She loves it so much she opened Rise for her own kiddos and she continues to run the gym even though she has moved to Arizona. (She is still actively coaching our team via video and will check in on her recreational kids for tips and tricks every now and then)

Coach Amy has over 28 years experience in power tumbling, stunting and cheer. She has over 13 years experience in gymnastics. An Oklahoma native with a BS in Aviation, Amy commissioned as an officer in the United States Air Force in 2011. There she was a navigator on the mighty B-52 bomber and served honorably for 8 years. Unfortunately, a life-altering injury forced her service to an early end. But she knew right away that her love for children would see her through. She earned her Masters degree in Education and became a certified teacher in K-5 and special education. After a few years she was once again called to serve her country and joined a special team that plans (JASSM & MALD) missiles/decoys for various airplane platforms for the joint services. Following a move to beautiful Whidbey Island she decided to start pharmacy school but there was still something missing. She missed working with children and soon found herself at Rise Academy of Arts coaching recreational classes for her 3 daughters and more. One thing led to another and the quick friendship and dynamic team formed with Melody led to this joint venture. She loves being able to share her love of tumbling and fitness with children in a safe and inclusive environment. 

Mrs. Carolyn is an elementary school teacher in the Oak Harbor School District and was also in the Navy for 4 years. She has 2 daughters that have been members of Rise Tumbling for over a year and are now competing on the Island Flyers trampoline and tumbling team. She also is the President of the team booster club. Mrs. Carolyn is so excited to see all of your smiling faces and help you with all of your questions.

 Miss Ashlee moved to Oak Harbor with her family in October of 2019. Her daughter quickly fell in love with tumbling at Rise Academy and is now competing on the Island Flyers Trampoline and Tumbling team. She is an Accountant by day and is also serving as Treasurer of the team Booster Club. Miss Ashlee looks forward to cheering students on when they ring the bell and assisting you with all your questions and needs! 

Coach Peyton has 11 years experience in Cheer. From youth cheer to high school cheer. She was a competitive and sideline cheerleader as well as a competitive all-star cheerleader. Peyton was even nominated as an All American Cheerleader through the National Cheerleading Association for her Jumps, Cheer, and Dance! She has 6 years experience in coaching cheer, volleyball, and soccer. She is a mom to 3 boys and will graduate in May 2023 with her Bachelors degree in Education. Peyton was so eager to join Rise Academy to get back in a family-friendly tumbling gym and help athletes reach their potential. She loves helping her students find their strengths and loves to celebrate every goal achieved!  

Harmony Wertz has 16 years experience in cheer and tumbling, and 10 years experience in Trampoline & Double Mini. Harmony has been a youth and high school cheerleader (Sideline and competition), a competitive All-Star Cheerleader, competitive T&T gymnast and has been teaching youth athletes for five years. Coach Harmony is currently residing in Arizona and travels to Washington and to T&T meets to help assist our competition team.

Coach Melany has experience in 8 years of cheer, where she had done competitive and side line all years, competitive all star cheerleading and as well as was an all American cheerleader. She has helped and experienced coaching all star cheer with younger children, and has had experience with doing summer cheer camps and teaching students with all kinds of skills and levels. Coach Melany also has 3 years of experience in tumbling/gymnastics and is joining the team to coach and Help inspire students to improve their athletic skills both individually and collectively. 

 Miss Kylene graduated Magna Cum Laude as one of the premier graduates from Central Washington University's dance performance major in 2018. She is thrilled about sharing her passion for whole body wellness through movement, dance and breath. At four years old Miss Kylene started in ballet and tumbling, she quickly blossomed into a football and All-Star cheerleader encompassing 13 years total. At 16 years old she moved into ballroom dance and never stopped the pursuit of new dance genres. Miss Kylene currently takes aerial silk classes, and previously has explored a wide variety of outside sports, including high school wrestling, collegiate rock climbing, and avid involvement in CrossFit, Hot Yoga and Pilates. Her Highlights in her career include ballroom dancing in Costa Rica whilst abroad, and an intensive anatomy course/cadaver lab combo from the CWU exercise science program. Miss Kylene believes in pursuing happiness through movement, and learning to dance from the inside out, encouraging individuals to tune into what their body is saying to reach and activate the personal threshold.  She is so excited to start her new adventure with Rise and help all of her students learn and grow into the best versions of themselves.

 Miss Grey took her first tap lesson at the age of 3 and it didn’t take long for her local dance studio in Dallas, TX to become her home away from home. By age 10, she was working for her tap director as a demonstrator, and she taught her first class at age 14. She has worked with children in many different settings, but loves nothing more than the chance to support them in their love of dance. She is passionate about tap as a diverse, expressive art form. While it has beautiful tradition and technique, there is a contemporary side to it many people don’t see. She can’t wait to show a new generation of students just how varied and fun tap dancing can be!