Team
Dedication. Expertise. Passion.
At Sakura Baton Twirlers, our coaching team brings together experience, creativity, and a shared passion for developing confident, well-rounded athletes. From first-time twirlers to international competitors, our athletes are supported by coaches who lead with both excellence and care.
Head Coach
Tammy De Jong
Head Coach Tammy De Jong brings over 30 years of experience to Sakura Baton Twirlers.
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A former Provincial Team athlete, she has dedicated her life to the sport as a coach, mentor, board member, and former judge.
Tammy has her CBTF Level 2 coaching certification, NCCP, Safe Sport qualifications, and an EAL teaching certification, allowing her to support athletes of all backgrounds.
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In 2026, she was recognized as the Sport Manitoba Coach of the Year.
Known for her strong leadership and attention to each athlete’s needs, Tammy fosters a culture of excellence, respect, and accountability. She is passionate about developing not only skilled performers, but confident individuals and role models within the community.
Assistant Coach
Lindsay Caners
Assistant Coach Lindsay Caners is the heart of the Sakura Baton Twirlers community, known affectionately as the team’s “baton mom.”
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A former competitive twirler with Tammy’s Twirlers, Lindsay has come full circle, returning to the sport with a passion for supporting a new generation of athletes. Her approach is grounded in care, encouragement, and creating a positive environment where every athlete feels valued.
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Lindsay holds Safe Sport and Respect in Sport certifications, along with her ECE Level 2, she bringing both professionalism and a strong understanding of child development to her role.
Whether it’s perfecting the details, offering encouragement, or being the go-to for hair fixes and band-aids, Lindsay is always there when her athletes need her most.
She plays a vital role in fostering confidence, connection, and a genuine love for baton within the team.
Choreographer
Caitlyn De Jong
Choreographer Caitlyn De Jong is one of the creative forces behind the movement and expression of Sakura Baton Twirlers.
With a strong foundation in dance from Masterworks and the Royal Winnipeg Ballet, combined with her competitive baton career with Aerial Fusion and Team Dynasty, Caitlyn brings a unique artistic vision to every routine. Her work blends precision, musicality, and storytelling to create performances that are both powerful and memorable.
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A three-time international representative for Canada, Caitlyn competed in Croatia (2016), France (2018), and England (2023), where she earned a Silver medal with Team Dynasty in the Level A Twirl Team division.
With over 8 years of experience, she has a natural ability to connect with athletes and draw out their confidence and stage presence. Her choreography challenges athletes to move with intention, perform with emotion, and truly own the floor.
Choreographer/Coach
Yonatan Orlov
Choreographer and Coach Yonatan Orlov brings a powerful blend of athleticism, creativity, and international experience to Sakura Baton Twirlers.
With a foundation in competitive gymnastics, Yonatan developed exceptional strength, flexibility, and body awareness that now define his dynamic choreography and coaching style.
He began baton twirling at age 12 and went on to achieve numerous Provincial and National titles, training with Greendell Baton and SOBG.
Yonatan has represented Canada on the international stage, competing in Sweden, the United States, Canada, Italy, Croatia, and France.
With over 10 years of coaching experience around the world, he is known for his ability to push athletes to new levels while building confidence and performance quality.
His choreography is bold, athletic, and engaging, challenging athletes to combine technical precision with powerful stage presence.
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Currently balancing his role with law school, Yonatan continues to contribute as a part-time coach and choreographer, bringing passion, expertise, and a global perspective to every athlete he works with.
Baton Coach
Wendy Narozniak
Assistant Coach Wendy Narozniak brings a wealth of experience, creativity, and passion to Sakura Baton Twirlers.
A certified Level 2 coach with NCCP and Safe Sport qualifications, as well as a certified dance teacher, Wendy combines strong technical knowledge with an artistic approach to training.
She is the former director of Wendy Zee’s Baton and Dance Studio, where she built a highly successful and respected program. She is a former CBTF judge, offering valuable insight into performance and competitive standards.
As a retired school teacher, Wendy continues to share her energy and enthusiasm with every class. Known for her organization and creativity, she creates structured, engaging practices that help athletes grow in both skill and confidence.
Her positive approach and genuine care for her students make her a favorite among athletes, who thrive under her guidance and encouragement.
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Dance Teacher
Jolie Lesperance
Dance Instructor Jolie Lesperance brings creativity, warmth, and strong technical foundation to Sakura Baton Twirlers.
With a degree in dance, Jolie provides athletes with the fundamentals that support both performance quality and long-term development.
Her teaching focuses on building strength, control, and confidence through movement, helping athletes refine their technique while expressing themselves artistically.
Known for her cheerful and sensitive approach, Jolie creates a positive and supportive environment where every athlete feels seen and encouraged. Her passion for dance shines through in every class, inspiring athletes to grow both as performers and individuals.
Assistant Coach
Hailey Tsitrin
ssistant Coach Hailey Tsitrin is a dedicated athlete and role model within Sakura Baton Twirlers.
Having represented Canada at the 2025 Nations Cup, Hailey brings high-level competitive experience along with a genuine passion for the sport.
She loves working with younger athletes, sharing her knowledge while helping them build confidence and skills.
Hailey understands the positive impact sport can have on overall wellbeing and personal growth. She is passionate about creating a supportive environment where athletes feel encouraged, capable, and proud of their progress.
Her energy, kindness, and relatability make her a favorite among younger athletes, who look up to her both on and off the floor.
Assistant Coach
Olga Orlov
Assistant Coach Olga Orlov brings experience, insight, and strong attention to detail to Sakura Baton Twirlers.
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Having been closely involved in her son Yonatan’s training and success, Olga has developed a sharp eye for technique and performance quality. She is quick to recognize where improvements can be made and is confident in guiding athletes toward stronger execution.
Olga is CBTF BTF in-training, has her Safe Sport certification, and is fluent in multiple languages, making her a valuable support for newcomers to the sport and helping create an inclusive, welcoming environment.
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Her honesty, dedication, and commitment to growth make her an important part of the Sakura coaching team.
Assistant
Melissa Feniuk
Assistant Melissa Feniuk brings warmth, creativity, and a positive spirit to Sakura Baton Twirlers.
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A former competitive twirler with Tammy’s Twirlers and Greendell Baton, Melissa’s journey with baton has come full circle. She reconnected with the sport after one of her students mentioned they were taking baton, leading her to rediscover a passion for the community and artistry it brings.
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Working as an elementary school educational assistant, Melissa has a natural ability to connect with young athletes, creating a supportive and encouraging environment where they can thrive.
She is also a creative florist, bringing an artistic eye and attention to detail that carries into her work with the team.
Melissa is known for her uplifting attitude and genuine care for every athlete. She values the close-knit community at Sakura and is proud to play a role in helping each athlete grow in confidence, skill, and love for the sport.
Assistant Coach
Kaitlyn Doherty
Assistant Coach Kaitlyn Doherty brings leadership, athleticism, and competitive excellence to Sakura Baton Twirlers.
A Provincial BA Freestyle Winner and Canadian BA Pairs Winner, her strong performance background is complemented by her experience as a multi-sport athlete, including football, where she developed teamwork, discipline, and confidence.
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Kaitlyn is skilled at leading structured, engaging practices that keep athletes motivated and progressing. Her favorite event is 3-baton, where her precision and passion for the sport shine.
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With her positive energy and leadership, Kaitlyn is a strong role model and is dedicated to helping athletes grow in both skill and confidence.
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