Here are the coaches of Aerial Fusion Baton. All our coaches are certified with the Canadian Baton Twirling Federation. Please read their write-ups to learn a little more about them.

Leisha began twirling at Crestview Community Club in Winnipeg at the age of 5 (because the tap class was full) and continued for 18 years. She is a former Canadian Senior Freestyle Champion (1994), Grand National Solo and 2-Baton champion (1994), CBTF Senior Athlete and Overall Athlete of the Year (1994), and a 7-time Canadian Contingent member competing in freestyle (highest placing - 6th in 1994) and pair events garnering 2 world bronze medals for her efforts (with Kristin Macaraeg). In her time on the national team, she traveled to France, Japan, Holland, Italy, and Hawaii. Leisha is one of the founding coaches of Aerial Fusion Baton in Winnipeg. In addition to being a CBTF Level 3 coach, she is certified as a Module 1 teacher in Acrobatic Arts. She is also a certified M1, M2, M3, and Masters judge and, a highlight to her judging so far has been judging at the Catalonian National Championships in Barcelona, Spain in 2009. She has had the opportunity to coach provincial and national team members and has also choreographed for different athletes across Canada, the USA, England, and Scotland. In 2012, she coached a Trans Canada team with Kristin Macaraeg. The team represented Canada at the World Championships in France earning a 5th place finish. In 2013, Leisha was one of head coaches of Team Toba and the team went on to win the gold medal in the Level B Team division at the International Cup in Almere, The Netherlands. In 2015 and 2017, Leisha also coached with Jane at the International Cup in Abbotsford, BC and in Porec, Croatia - check the bulletin board to see how the athletes did! Outside of baton, Leisha is a professor at the University of Manitoba in the Faculty of Kinesiology and Recreation Management (specializing in sport psychology and youth development).

   Laura has been engaged in baton for 16 years. She began her career at Magic 'n Motion Dance Studio where we took classes in ballet, jazz, tap, lyrical, and hip hop. She fell in love with twirling during an outreach event at a birthday party at the studio. She progressed quickly and became a competitive athlete at a young age. She attended many national championships, earning many medals in the process. In 2013, she joined Aerial Fusion Baton and has been in the club for 12 years. She has competed in 7 international competitions, earning 2 silver medlas in 2019 in the Senior B 2-baton and Senior B 3-baton. Her travels with baton have taken her across the country and to the US, Netherlands, Croatia, France, Sweden, and England. In 2023, she was part of Trans-Canada twirl corps ("Change") who earned a bronze medal in the event at the Nations Cup/World Championship competition. In 2024, she represented Canada in rhythmic twirl and team at the Worlds in Helsingborg, Sweden. Over the past 3 years, Laura has coached in the recreational, pre-competitive, and early competition programs. She is looking forward to growing her skills as a coach. In her spare time, she loves to knit and go to concerts.

Jane has been coaching with Aerial Fusion Baton since its inception and is one of its founding members (having coached for 1 year with Fusion Baton Club with Leisha Strachan). She started baton at the age of 5 at Orioles Community Club and continued for 11 years. In fact, Leisha and Jane twirled together in the same club, the Joycettes, from age 7 until 16. She achieved many accomplishments over the years as a twirler, competing at a provincial and national level. She cites twirling on the provincial team and traveling all over Canada as highlights of her involvement as an athlete in the sport. Jane has developed many athletes in the club who have excelled in the sport including the 2009 Junior Level A Provincial Freestyle champion. She now has a daughter who is following in her footsteps! In 2013, Jane travelled with AF athletes to Almere, The Netherlands to support and coach athletes who had qualified for the International Cup. She also coached at the 2015 International Cup in Abbotsford, BC. She was very proud to witness many personal bests and to bring home some medals for Canada! Outside of baton, Jane is the Assistant Branch manager for BMO Bank of Montreal.

Stephenie began twirling at the age of 5 in Regina, Saskatchewan with the Sundown Optimist Buffalo Gals.  At 8 years old, her family relocated to Winnipeg, where she began twirling with Aerial Fusion. She was provincial champion, in Junior and Senior Level A freestyle, Junior A  pairs, and senior A team. In 2008, she was able to represent Canada at the World Championships in Limerick, Ireland competing in Team. She twirled competitively until the age of 19. In 2012, she moved abroad, and lived in the Cayman Islands for 3 years. Returning to Winnipeg in 2015, she quickly became involved in baton again, and began coaching with Aerial Fusion. Stephenie has successfully completed her Level 2 coaching, is certified as a Level 1 Acrobatic Arts teacher, is a Module 1 Judge, and is on the MBTSA Board of directors as Coaches Representative. Outside of baton, Stephenie is a Dental Assistant, and enjoys playing softball during the summer months.