Meet Our VLAGA Coaches...
Luzia Wiesmuller
Luzia founded Vernon Lee Gymnastics in August 1993 and serves as Head Coach and Program Director. She was born in Germany and competed nationally for eight years before emigrating to the U.S. in 1981. Luzia is a board member of the Southern California USAIGC Gymnastics Federation, Red Cross CPR/First Aid Certified, a Level 4-6 Judge, and a State, Regional, and National Coaches Congress attendee.
Monique Wiesmuller
Monique has 13 years of coaching experience with VLAGA and was a successful Vernon Lee competitor. She competed through Level 10 in both artistic gymnastics as well as T&T and holds six national titles. Monique completed her B.A. Summa Cum Laude from UCLA in 2008 with a double major in History and German Studies and achieved her M.A. in Modern European History at UCSD in 2011. Monique is a current board member of the Southern California USAIGC, Red Cross CPR and First Aid Certified, a Levels 3-6 NAWGJ Judge, and a Regional and National Coaches Congress attendee.
Career High Scores: 9.7 Balance Beam 9.625 Uneven Bars 37.325 All-Around
Vanessa Schmidtke 
Vanessa has been coaching at Vernon Lee since spring of 2009 and has a total of 14 years coaching experience. Before joining us here in California, she directed a successful YMCA program in Michigan for seven years and was the head coach of a High School Gymnastics Team in her hometown. Vanessa competed in both USAG club gymnastics and high school gymnastics before going to college at Eastern Michigan University. She currently runs our Academy/Recreational Program and coaches all team and preteam levels. She is USAG Safety Certified and has attended many state and national coaches congresses and clinics.
Cindy Gonzalez
Cindy started gymnastics when she was four years old at Verdugo Gymnastics Club (now Golden State) in Burbank. When she was a Level 5 she switched to Vernon Lee and competed for six years up through Level 9 where she was a teammate of Monique's and coached by Luzia. She had a successful career in USAG through Level 10 and competed for CSU Sacramento's NCAA team where she received her B.S. in Criminal Justice. She went on to receive her MBA last year and is currently working on a new certification while she coaches here at VLAGA. Cindy is a great inspirational leader and motivational coach and conditioner for the girls. We are very happy to have her coaching our Level 4/Coppers, Preteam and recreational classes.
