OUR COACHES
EDE has the best coaches! We are always looking for additional volunteer coaches (especially for Highland Squad). Please see contact info below to apply!
ANNE CHRISTIANSEN
Head Coach
Coach Anne has been coaching cheerleading since 1999. She started a recreational cheer program through the Bellevue Parks & Community Services Department in 2001 which became Bellevue Dream Elite. The name was changed to Eastside Dream Elite in 2003 to reflect the growth of the program and the athletes participating from all over the Eastside area.
Anne has coached high school, all-star, semi-pro and college cheer. In addition to EDE, Anne was the Recreational Cheer Director for Washington for many years and currently sits on the Board of the Washington State Cheer Coaches Association. Anne has a B.A. in Communications from Brigham Young University and an M.A. in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies from the University of Washington.
Anne is USA Cheer and WIAA safety certified and is a certified cheerleading judge both in Washington State and nationally. In 2009 she was named Washington State’s Veteran Judge of the Year in 2010 she was named Coach of the Year for recreational cheer. She received the Coach of the Year honor again in 2015. The EDE program was named Cheer Program of the Year in 2014 and 2015 (an unprecedented back-to-back win). Anne was inducted into the Washington State Cheerleading Hall of Fame in 2017.
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Anne has twin sons, Cory and Derek. When she’s not coaching cheerleading, Anne also enjoys ballroom dancing and traveling with her husband Neal, affectionately referred to in EDE as “Mr. Coach Anne.”
COACH HILLARY
Renton Program, Hip Hop Choreographer
Coach Hillary found EDE through a Google search in 2017, and we're so glad she did! Hillary cheered all through middle school and high school and was captain of both those teams. She then continued two years on a semi-pro team while she attended college in Bellingham studying Elementary Education. Coach Hillary now manages a real estate company in downtown Bellevue.
Coach Hillary coaches for Highland Squad, she choreographs for Dance/Drill Team, and she coaches our Renton Dream Team and Stunt & Tumble Class. In 2018 she won the Rising Star Coach of the Year award from the Washington State Cheer Coaches Association.
When Hillary is not cheering or working, she loves going to country concerts, line dancing, and rooting for the Cougs & Seahawks!
COACH CHRISTINA
Issaquah Program
Coach Christina has been coaching for Eastside Dream Elite since 2013. She has a long history in cheerleading and working with children. Her cheerleading background includes cheering for the Semi-Pro Cheer squad, Renton Ravens, as well as 4 years of Varsity cheer for Kentridge High School, in both competition and sideline squads. Additionally, she has been a coach for the Bellevue Wolverines Junior Cheer program.
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Christina is a UW Husky twice over, holding a B.A. in Political Science as well as Law, Societies and Justice from the University of Washington, and, more recently, a M.A. in Education Policy. Christina has devoted much time to bettering the lives of youth and in addition to coaching, works as a ski instructor for Powderpigs Ski School, and as a youth leader for her church. In the past she has worked for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Bellevue and the Community Center for Education Results in Seattle.
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When Christina isn’t coaching, she loves to travel with her husband (Mr. Coach Christina) and her daughters Makenzie and Madison, root on her beloved Huskies, and spend time hiking and skiing!
COACH KATIE
Kirkland Program
Coach Katie has been coaching for Eastside Dream Elite since the fall of 2013. She cheered for the Renton Ravens semi-pro cheer squad for three years and previously coached the Bellevue Junior Wolverines Cheer Squad. She was on Newport High School Colorguard and Winterguard for four years.
Katie has a B. A. in Music and a minor in Anthropology from Western Washington University. In addition, she has a Master's degree in Education from Grand Canyon University. She currently works for the Mercer Island School District as a fifth grade classroom teacher.
In 2018 and 2019 Coach Katie was nominated for Rec Assistant Coach of the Year. She won the honor in 2020 from the Washington Cheer Coaches Association. When Katie is not coaching she enjoys going to the opera and theater, singing, reading, traveling when she can, and hanging out with friends.
COACH ARIANA
Tumbling Coach
Coach Ariana is in her second year of coaching for EDE. She has an extensive dance, cheer, and gymnastics background, which made coaching cheer and tumbling classes a great next step. She graduated Seattle Christian High School where she cheered with for 2 years. She was also cheer co-captain her senior year.
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Currently Ariana graduated from Seattle University Albers School of Business.
When she isn't busy working, Ariana enjoys spending time with friends and family, hiking, and cooking.
COACH KATIE
Guest Coach, Nationals Helper
Coach Katie is an EDE alum who returned to coach for the last several years. She started with EDE in 2004, where she was on both Dream Team and Power Squad. Katie then cheered for Newport High School where she was Captain her senior year. She also was a junior coach for EDE during this time. She went on to cheer and coach for the Puget Sound Titans and the Renton Ravens Semi-Pro Football cheer squads for eight years.
Coach Katie was nominated for Assistant Coach of the Year in 2015 and received Rec Rising Star Coach of the Year in 2017. Katie is a graduate of Washington State University with a B.A. in Interior Design and a minor in Architecture. She is a designer at IDI Studio currently. She moved to the San Diego area in 2018 but will still be helping as a guest coach as she is available, as well as graphic design for EDE. No matter where she is, Coach Katie and Mr. Coach Katie (Wes) will always be a part of the EDE family!
COACH MICHAELA COVNER
Power Squad, Red Squad, and Tumbling Coach
Michaela cheered for EDE for many years. She has been on Dream Team, Dance/Drill Team, and Power Squad. Michaela graduated from the Northwest Yeshiva High School and from the University of Washington. She has B.A. in International Studies: Jewish Studies. She is currently working on her MBA at the University of Washington.
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Coach Michaela has also choreographed Highland Squad's competition routines. She is a true asset to Highland Squad's coaching staff.
COACH JESS
Power Squad, Red Squad, Tumbling, Dance/Drill, and Bellevue Dream Team
Coach Jess was a member of EDE for eight years and was on Power Squad, Red Squad, Dance/Drill Team, and Dream Team during that time. She competed at both State and Nationals during her time on the team.
Jess graduated from Bellevue Christian High School. She is happy to be a part of the EDE coaching staff and considers her best skill her amazing basing!
INTERESTED IN COACHING?
We are always looking for fabulous volunteer coaches to help with the Eastside Dream Elite teams. We especially need coaches for the Cheer Ability Team for people with Developmental Disabilities. Please contact:
Coach Anne
anne@EastsideDreamElite.com ​
or 425-246-9636
if you are interested in coaching.
