Emily Matheson
Owner and Team Director
- 15 years of coaching experience
- Opened UPA in May 2005
- Coached at Brighton High School in Cottonwood Heights, UT for 6 years.
- Brighton’s Coed Varsity, JV, and Songleaders won numerous state and regional titles along with four National Championships during Emily’s time as Head Coach.
- Cheered at Brighton High School, where she was varsity team captain for two years.
- Registered Nurse
- Currently the Nursing Director at Canyon Crest Surgical
- ACCA Certified
- USASF certified through level 5
Ashley Mitchell
Head All Star Team Coach and Choreographer
- 8 years coaching experience
- Coached at Galaxy Cheer All Stars in Seattle, WA
- Coached at Lehi High School
- Choreographer for UPA teams and solos
- Choreographer for schools throughout Utah
- Former NCA Staff
- Cheered at Galaxy Cheer All Stars on level 5 and 6 teams. Her teams were undefeated locally for 5 years, won multiple national titles, and one international title.
- Silver National Champion Award in Level 5 coed partner stunting
- NCA Best Jumps Award and Best Dancer Award
- COA All American Cheerleader
- CPR and First Aid Certified
- UCA Stunt Safety Certified
- USASF certified through level 5
Nate Hansen
Team Coach and Tumbling Instructor
- 4 years coaching experience
- Coached at Hillcrest High School in Midvale, UT
- Coached at Hunts Gymnastics
- Former USA Staff
- Cheered at College of Eastern Utah, Southern Utah University, and University of Utah
- Former member of Jazz Stunt Team
- Cheered at Macs Cheer on the level 5 team.
- Cheered at Hillcrest High School, winning USA Nationals.
- Bronze National Champion Award in Level 5 Partner Stunt. Won multiple regional and local in Level 5 Partner Stunt.
- USASF certified through level 5
Ciera Peirce
Team Coach, Choreographer, and Tumbling Instructor
- 6 years of choreography experience
- Currently coaches at Lehi High School in Lehi, UT
- Choreographer for UPA teams and soloists
- Choreographer for schools and city league teams throughout Utah
- Current UCA Staff
- Cheered at Macs Cheer on the level 5 team, winning a national title. There she was also awarded Best All Around.
- Cheered at Lehi High School, where she was captain her senior year.
- She was not only a member of the team, but also the choreographer of LHS competition routines her sophomore, junior,
and senior years. LHS was undefeated locally, won two State titles, and placed 2nd at nationals with those routines.
- UCA All American
- USASF certified level 1
Mercedes Lawson
Team Coach and Special Athletes Team Coach
- 5 years coaching experience
- Started the first Special Athletes Team in northern Illinois.
- Cheered at Northern Illinois Cheerleading Academy and later at eXtreme allstarZZ Academy. While on EAA, her teams won multiple nationals titles.
- Cheered and danced at Oswego East High School in Oswego, IL.
- Majoring in Special Education at the University of Utah
- Proficient in American Sign Language
- CPR certified
- USASF certified level 1
