Margaret DiMauro Owner and Director, Elite Cheerleading Coach & Tumbling Instructor

"Cheerleading helped me become the person I am today.  It gave me the confidence to know I can accomplish anything-as long as I put in the work to make it happen! It also provided me with the best support system, lifelong friendships, and memories I will never forget. I hope to provide these same opportunities for every athlete that becomes part of the CTV family."

Margaret DiMauro has been involved in competitive cheerleading for over 30 years as both an athlete and coach.  She competed on all-girl and co-ed cheerleading teams throughout grade school, middle school, high school, and college.  One of her favorite memories as a competitive cheerleader was winning 2nd place in the All-Girl division at the 2001 UCA College Cheerleading National Championships in Orlando, Florida with Southern Connecticut State University. 

Margaret has worked in various competitive gymnastics, dance, and cheerleading programs for the last 20 years. She was the Head Coach for the New Canaan High School Varsity Cheerleading team from 2006-2013 and was named FCIAC (Fairfield County Interscholastic Athletic Conference) Cheerleading Coach of the Year in 2011.  Margaret has coached youth All-Star teams, a college team, developed and overseen several recreational cheerleading programs, served as a routine choreographer, and judged youth competitions locally. 

She served as the Head Coach for the Hamden Hurricanes Pop Warner Cheerleading teams for 9 years from the Tiny Mite to the Junior Varsity levels and ran annual clinics for the league. During her time with the Hurricanes, Margaret's teams won 3 SCPW conference titles, 2 Connecticut State titles, and 1 New England Regional title.  Her teams appeared in 5 New England Regional Championships and 3 Pop Warner National Championships.  Margaret's teams earned 2 National titles in the Pop Warner National Cheerleading Championships, once in 2019 as a JPW level 1 team (National Grand winners) and again in 2022 as a JV level 2 team. 

In CTV's debut season, Margaret coached the Senior 4.2 team, D4NGEROU2, to the 2025 Summit Championships in Orlando, Florida, where they advanced to the Final round and took home 14th in the Nation.  She also lead Strike, CTV's first ever Youth 2.2 Prep team, to several first place finishes, a Grand Championship title, and a US Finals Championship.

Margaret earned her Doctorate degree in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies in 2022 and is an Assistant Professor of Communication and Media Studies at CT State Community College and Southern Connecticut State University.

In CTV's second season, Margaret will continue overseeing all programs at CTV as the Owner and Director.  Additionally, Margaret will be coaching Snake Eyes (Youth 2), Medusa (Senior 2), and Phobia4 (Senior 4).  Margaret is also available for private tumbling lessons.

Denise Patton Elite Cheerleading Coach and Tumbling Instructor

Denise has been involved in the cheer world for the past 34 years as a cheerleader, instructor, coach, and program owner.  She started cheering herself at the youth level in third grade and continued through high school and well into college on SCSU's All-Girl team, Spirit All Star's Open Co-ed level 6, and Open International Co-ed level 5 Worlds team.  Denise served 2 seasons as a Worlds athelte before retiring her cheer sneakers.

Her coaching career started at the Pop Warner level in Milford, CT.  She continued coaching at the high school, collegiate and All-Star levels 1-6 for the past 28 years and previously owned Gold Coast All Stars in Stamford, CT.  Denise also went on to become a UCA staff member teaching and credentialing coaches and athletes of all ages throughout the Northeast and Southeast regions.  Since then, Denise has led many youth, high school and all star teams to several national titles.

In CTV's second season, Denise will be coaching Miss Hiss (Youth 1), Medusa (Senior 2), and Phobia4 (Senior 4).  She is also available for private tumbling lessons.

Jill Kelly Elite Cheerleading Coach and Tumbling Instructor

"Cheerleading was always there for me when I felt like all the pressures of life were starting to feel too heavy.  Every practice felt like a breath of fresh air when I was able to be with who I love and do what I love.  I hope to create a safe space for every athlete and allow them to be themselves."

Jill has been involved in cheerleading for about 10 years as both an athlete and coach.  She began her cheerleading career as a middle school cheerleader in her hometown, Bronx, NY.  She then moved to CT and joined the Pop Warner cheerleading program in the town of Trumbull.  During her time there, her team earned a New England Regional Championship title and went on to place 5th at the Pop Warner National Cheerleading Championships in Orlando, Florida. Jill was a member of the Varsity Cheerleading team at Trumbull High School before joining the All-Star cheerleading world, which she describes as the best decision she has made in her lifetime.  As an All-Star cheerleader, Jill competed on both level 3 and level 4.2 teams and traveled to compete in the D2 Summit Championships with her team in 2023.  She was a D2 Summit Finalist in 2023 before aging out of the Senior level.

Jill began coaching in the Elite cheerleading world in 2023.  She coached her very first team to 4 first place finishes and earned a Full Paid Bid to a competition in Nashville and a Partial Paid Bid to the Prep and Rec Grand Nationals in Orlando, Florida, where her team placed 6th out of 13 in a very difficult division.

In CTV's second season, Jill will be coaching Miss Hiss (Youth 1) and tumbling classes.  She is also available for private tumbling lessons.

 Tasha French Elite Cheerleading Coach

"There is no other feeling like taking the mat with your cheer family! I hope to help bring athletes together on and off the mat and help them have the experience I did when I cheered.  Those moments are unforgettable and there's nothing more special than the family that's built in the process."

With over 25 years of coaching experience, 16 of which were at Spirit All Stars in Hamden, Tasha is a passionate leader who has guided teams to mulitple National titles, two Summit Championships, and a Cheerleading Worlds Trials Bronze.  Tasha enjoys doing choreography for high school, Pop Warner, and All Star teams.  A former competitive cheerleader for 17 years, her love for the sport runs deep.

Tasha is a full time hairstylist that specializes in bridal and of course cheer hair!  After 22 years of doing hair, she's perfected all styles that come with cheer and more!  She is also a proud wife to a supportive husband who now shares her love of All Star cheer.  Watching her own child grow in a positive, healthy cheer environment has only strengthened Tasha's commitment to creating that same experience for every athlete she coaches.  Her greatest joy comes from helping young athletes build confidence, grow in skill, and become the best versions of themselves--on and off the mat.

Tasha is joining CTV in season 2 as a coach for Boa Babes (Tiny Prep 1.1) and Phobia4 (Senior 4).

Kelsey Ryan Elite Cheerleading Coach and Tumbling Instructor

"Cheerleading has been a safe place for me since the second I stepped on that mat at just 9 years old.  Cheerleading has taught me the most valuable life lessons that I still use on a day to day basis on and off the mat."

Kelsey has been involved in cheerleading for about 11 years both as an athlete and coach.  She started her cheer journey in a Pop Warner cheerleading program and soon transitioned to all star cheerleading at the age of 9.  She remained in the all star cheer world throughout the rest of her cheerleading career with the exception of one year of high school cheerleading at Trumbull High School.  During that year, Kelsey helped her team earn a 6th place finish at the Connecticut State High School Cheerleading Championship.  Kelsey has traveled to the D2 Summit Championships for two seasons and is a two time Summit finalist.  She still continues her elite cheerleading career today as a member of CTV's D4NGEROU2 team.

Kelsey began coaching elite cheerleading during the 2023-2024 season and led her youth level 1 team to a paid bid in Nashville and a Partial Paid Bid to the Prep and Rec Grand Nationals in Orlando, Flordia, where her team placed 6th out of 13.

Kelsey is a coach for Miss Hiss, CTV's youth 1 team and will be instructing tumbling as well.