Coaches & Staff
.jpg)
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 100 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 7th year. I competed with TNT for 6 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!
McKayla Spaller
Assistant Coach
Going into my 7th season at TNT and have spent 11th total season twirling. I was a Riverside majorette for 3 years and on the Kent State Touch-Of- Gold line for the 21-22 season. I am an undergraduate student at Cleveland State majoring in Sociology and minoring in Business. I continue to twirl competitively with TNT and am also an Assistant Coach. The friendships and bonds you make with the team and staff members is my favorite part at TNT. TNT is like a second family to me. It's a place I can completely be myself without fear of judgement.
Allanah Burkholder
Student Coach
​
I am a student coach and this is my 13th year with TNT, I am currently in the advanced category and am a top 5 competitive twirler with both TU and WTA. I am a 4 year majorette at Perry High School, other than TNT I was the 22-23 Miss Grapette and am a member of the Perry show choir. My favorite memory with TNT will forever be winning in a 17-team category at TU nationals with my senior girls. We worked really hard and just seeing how the team, supported us when we found out we had won was the greatest feeling.
In my 13 years of twirling I have learned so many life skills, gained many life-long friendships and it gave me a place where I can be myself.
Most recent titles:
2024 AAU Presidental World Cup High School Twirler
2024 AAU Top Twirler at the Point
2024 TU Teenage Majorette
2024 WTA World's Most Beautiful Queen
2025 Adv 15-17 Miss Universal
​
Emily Winkleman
Student Coach
​
I have been with TNT for 11 years. I started twirling at the of 5 with a parade team and started competing at the age of 6 with TNT. I have been a Madison majorette for 3 years. I can twirl one, two, and three batons and I also twirl fire. In addition to baton I am also experienced in POM. My favorite memory with TNT is when I performed my first 2 baton solo at nationals and when I got off the floor, my TNT family was standing there cheering for me and they all gave me a hug. I love TNT because no matter who you are or how much experience you have, all the girls and coaches welcome you with open arms. TNT is my second family, and I wouldn't give them up for anything.
Travel Manager
Kristie Nemeth
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 for 6 years. 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.
Assistant Coach
Marie Lamson
No Bio Available
Kirsty Winkleman
Seamstress
​
10 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
Prop Manager/Seamstress
​
No Bio Available
Mike Nemeth
Videographer
​
No Bio Available