Owner and CEO

Larry Dardano is a Denver native and attended North Denver High School from 1963 to 1966. He participated in varsity gymnastics, football and wrestling. He was awarded a gymnastics and football scholarship to Colorado State University.
During his years at CSU, Larry’s gymnastics team placed 5th in the NCAA National Gymnastics Championships. After graduation he returned to North Denver High School as a science teacher, head gymnastics coach and assistant varsity football coach. The teams he coached were highly successful, especially his gymnastics teams. They were undefeated for five years in the Denver Public Schools gymnastics league.
In 1983 Larry founded Dardano’s School of Gymnastics. Over the years, Dardano’s School of Gymnastics has instructed, trained and competed thousands of children in the Denver area. Larry is proud to say he has been in business for over 30 years, been a coach for 40 years and been a part of the sport of gymnastics for 50 years!

Highlights for Larry and Dardano’s School of Gymnastics:

• 1963 -­‐ Began Competing in Gymnastics


• 1973 -­‐ Started his Coaching Career


• 1983-­‐ Founded Dardano’s School of Gymnastics


• 2013-­‐ Celebrated 30 Years in Business!

Gym Director

You could say that Gina was literally born into the sport of gymnastics. Her father, Larry, was a gymnast in high school and college, and soon after Gina was born she was rolling and flipping, thanks to her daredevil of a dad. Gina grew up with a trampoline and spotting rig in her back yard in the Park Hill neighborhood. She and her two older sisters were always seen bouncing and cartwheeling around the yard.
In 1983 Larry opened Dardano’s School of Gymnastics and Gina’s gymnastics career took off. She was a “gym rat,” spending 90% of her time in the gym, always stirring up trouble. She competed for 13 years, advancing to USAG Level 10. She participated in state, regional and international competitions. Gina began teaching gymnastics in 1995. Some of her best friends today were her former teammates or former students she taught at Dardano’s. Gina loves teaching and is most proud knowing she is provides a fun gymnastics experience to so many children, and she, and all of the staff at Dardano’s are making a difference in the lives of everyone that is a part of the gym.

Specializes in:

• Parent Toddler
• Pre School
• Beginning/Intermediate Girls
• Girls Team

Office Staff
Donyella was born into the sport of gymnastics. In 1983, her father, Larry Dardano, opened Dardano’s School of Gymnastics. Donyella was at the gym day & night and she quickly excelled in gymnastics and eventually became one of our first competitive team members. Continuing competitions throughout her childhood and teen years, she eventually began coaching preschool through competitive team, while also working in our front office. Gymnastics was her whole life.
In 1995, at 20 years old, Donyella was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis. Ultimately she had to make the decision to stop coaching, however still wanted to remain a vital part of the family business. She continues to focus her energy as our assistant office manager.

Office Staff
Vita Dardano has been a member of the Dardano’s staff since 2004. You can find her friendly face behind the front desk here Dardano’s. She loves working with family and meeting all the families that come to our gym.

Instructor
Scott was born August 10, 1963 in Indianapolis, Indiana and moved to Colorado in 1971. He graduated from North High School in 1982 and trained as a gymnast under Larry Dardano on the North High team. Scott graduated Denver Technical College in 1986. He began coaching at Dardano’s in 1987 and was an ECE teacher for over 17 years for several childcare centers in the Denver area. Besides gymnastics, Scott is also an accomplished body builder competing in many competitions in the Rocky Mountain region from 1990-1994. Scott is trained in, and has taught many martial art disciplines including Tae Kwon Do, Jiu Jitsu and Capoeria (a Brazilian acrobatic martial art). He holds a 5th degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do, a green belt in Ninjutsu and a blue belt in Capoeria.
Specializes in:

• Parent Toddler
• Pre School
• Beginning/Intermediate Boys

Instructor/Head Coach Boys Team
Specializes in:

• Head Coach Boys Team
• Beginning/Intermediate Boys

Instructor
Specializes in:

• Preschool
• Beginning/Intermediate Boys and Girls
• Girls Pre Team
• Girls Team