Our History
Established in 1976, at the Golden School of Dance in Williston Park, NY, the Golden Showstoppers have been going strong for over 35 years. Originally under the supervision of Connie Zimmerlich, Deb Kwiatek-Doherty took over the team in 2000 after Connie retired and moved out of state. |
Our Mission
“Building a Community of Self Assured Young Women” |
Our Location
MB Dancers 97 Hempstead Turnpike Farmingdale, NY 11735 |
Our Coaches
Deb Kwiatek-Doherty - Director
Deb started competing for the Golden Showstoppers in 1983 and began coaching in 1989. In September of 2000, Deb became director of the Golden Showstoppers twirling organization. She is currently a teacher in the Mineola UFSD, and has been since 1998.
Deb is a certified level 1 coach and is going into her 10th year as the secretary for the New York Twirling Council.
Deb is a certified level 1 coach and is going into her 10th year as the secretary for the New York Twirling Council.
Keri Cooke - Assistant Director
Keri began twirling in 1992 and began competing for the Golden Showstoppers in 1993. She competed in USTA National's in 1999 at Daytona Beach, Florida; 2005 in Wichita, Kansas; and in 2006 in Savannah, Georgia. Keri began her coaching career in 1999 and retired from competing in 2006. In addition to the Golden Showstoppers, Keri was a Hofstra University Feature Twirler.
Keri is a Certified Level 2 Judge and a Certified Level 1 Coach. Keri has recently coached athletes who have traveled to the International Cup. She is also on the board of the New York Twirling Council and the Northeast Regional Council.
Keri is a Certified Level 2 Judge and a Certified Level 1 Coach. Keri has recently coached athletes who have traveled to the International Cup. She is also on the board of the New York Twirling Council and the Northeast Regional Council.
Michelle Krul - Certified Coach
Michelle begain twirling in 1995 and began competing for the Golden Showstoppers in 1997. She competed in USTA National's in 2005 in Witchita, Kansas; 2006 in Savannah, Georgia; 2007 in Rochester, Minnesota; and 2008 in Daytona, Florida. Michelle began her coaching career in 2003 and retired from competing in 2008.
In addition to twirling, Michelle has experience in ballet, tap, and jazz. She was also a cheerleader for Herricks High School. Michelle recently graduated from Hofstra University with a degree in Education.
Michelle is Certified Level 1 Coach.
In addition to twirling, Michelle has experience in ballet, tap, and jazz. She was also a cheerleader for Herricks High School. Michelle recently graduated from Hofstra University with a degree in Education.
Michelle is Certified Level 1 Coach.
Cassie Olivos - Certified Coach
Cassie begain twirling in 1995 and began competing for the Golden Showstoppers in 1997. She competed in USTA National's in 2005 in Witchita, Kansas; 2006 in Savannah, Georgia; 2007 in Rochester, Minnesota; and 2008 in Daytona, Florida. Cassie retired from competting in 2008 and began her coaching career in 2009.
In addition to twirling, Cassie has 14 years dance experiance in ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, modern, and hip hop. She was a member of the Mineola Mustang Color Guard from 2003-2007 giving her experiance in gymnastics and spinning flags, rifles, sabres, and other various props.
Cassie is Certified level 1 Coach.
In addition to twirling, Cassie has 14 years dance experiance in ballet, tap, jazz, lyrical, modern, and hip hop. She was a member of the Mineola Mustang Color Guard from 2003-2007 giving her experiance in gymnastics and spinning flags, rifles, sabres, and other various props.
Cassie is Certified level 1 Coach.
Jess Raspen - Certified Coach
Jess began twirling in 1998 and began competing for the Golden Showstoppers in 1999. She competed in USTA National's in 2005 in Witchita, Kansas; 2006 in Savannah, Georgia; 2007 in Rochester, Minnesota; and 2008 in Daytona, Florida. Jess began her coaching career in 2002 and retired from competing in 2008.
In addition to twirling, Jess has 10 years gymnastic experience and competed for Kellenberg Memorial High School. She was a cheerleader for New York Institute of Technology from 2006-2009 where she was captain for 2 years. Jess recently graduated with a Doctorate of Physical Therapy, and is now employed as Children's Physical Therapist in California.
Jess is a Certified Level 1 Coach
In addition to twirling, Jess has 10 years gymnastic experience and competed for Kellenberg Memorial High School. She was a cheerleader for New York Institute of Technology from 2006-2009 where she was captain for 2 years. Jess recently graduated with a Doctorate of Physical Therapy, and is now employed as Children's Physical Therapist in California.
Jess is a Certified Level 1 Coach
Our Alumni
Lisa Pescatore-Kaplan
"I twirled for the Golden Showstoppers for 12 years. Twirling was my favorite activity after school growing up. I always looked forward to Wednesday nights to spend an hour with some of the greatest teachers and friends. The Golden Showstoppers became my second family. The coaches know how to balance learning and having fun at the same time. I am now 33 years old and always find myself thinking about my twirling family and when a song comes on the radio that I twirled to, I still get excited!! I hope one day my daughter would like to follow in my footsteps and become a Golden Showstopper. It was one of the best experiences of my life. I made lifelong friends and memories that will last a lifetime! Once a Golden Showstopper, Always a Golden Showstopper!!"
"I twirled for the Golden Showstoppers for 12 years. Twirling was my favorite activity after school growing up. I always looked forward to Wednesday nights to spend an hour with some of the greatest teachers and friends. The Golden Showstoppers became my second family. The coaches know how to balance learning and having fun at the same time. I am now 33 years old and always find myself thinking about my twirling family and when a song comes on the radio that I twirled to, I still get excited!! I hope one day my daughter would like to follow in my footsteps and become a Golden Showstopper. It was one of the best experiences of my life. I made lifelong friends and memories that will last a lifetime! Once a Golden Showstopper, Always a Golden Showstopper!!"