Todd Bragan

Owner/Program Director

Coach Todd has been in the Cheer industry for over 25 years. Growing up with parents who ran a gymnastic program, it was only fitting that becoming a coach would come naturally. As a cheerleader in college at UAB, he found a passion for the sport and soon after college opened a gym in Trussville. Over two decades of coaching all star, middle school, high schools and colleges lead to the creation of Trussville Academy of Cheer. Today coach Todd wears many hats as a gym owner, choreographer, judge, cheer music producer, coach, Husband to a Cheer Coach, Daddy to an 11 year old cheerleader and a 5 year old baseball player.

Coach Todd founded TAC on the principles that every athlete, no matter the age or skill level, holds intrinsic value. He hopes and prays that every athletes finds their potential while being a part of Trussville Academy of Cheer.

Hannah Messer

Assistant Program Director

Coach Hannah has been involved in the cheerleading industry for over 15 years. She grew up competing before switching to school cheer at Briarwood, where her love for the sport, especially Gameday, really took root. After graduating, she returned to Briarwood to share her passion with the next generation of athletes, coaching both JV and Varsity for two years.

Coach Hannah has now found her home at Trussville Academy of Cheer, where she continues to pour into athletes of all ages. Her favorite part of coaching is watching athletes grow in confidence and teamwork while keeping the spirit of cheer alive on the sidelines and the competition floor. She strives to create an encouraging environment where athletes not only improve their skills but also develop leadership, resilience, and a true love for the sport.

Hunter Maples

Class and Team Coach

Coach Hunter has big love for the sport and experience on the mat. Former all-star cheer and along the way became a 5-time National Champion and The One Finals Champion. He’s all about coaching and helping athletes grow whether they’re just starting out or chasing big goals. He believes in hard work, teamwork, and bringing the hype every step of the way. Making sure the girls grow in and out of the gym with confidence in themselves!

Kali Cahalan

Class and Team Coach

Coach Kali is currently a senior at Hewitt-Trussville High School. She is a member of the Hewitt-Trussville Varsity sideline and competition team. The bonds that she has created with the athletes are truly something special and it is so rewarding to see their faces light up when performing! She loves helping them reach their fullest potential and watching them have fun.

Tori Dunn

Class Instructor

Coach Tori has been in the cheerleading world for 13 years. Her cheerleading story started in 2005 on a small competition All-Star team in Pell City. That’s when Tori discovered a passion for the sport. She now has experience in competing, teaching, judging, and coaching! Tori was a cheerleader for 4 years at Jacksonville State, graduating with a degree in Merchandising and Marketing. While she was there, she met her husband, Casey. They have 2 daughters named Mercy and Charlotte.

Tori has learned through years of cheering that you can do anything you set your mind to and to believe in yourself. Always have confidence and courage in yourself and be thankful that you get to be a cheerleader, it’s a blessing!

“Be on your guard; stand firm in the faith; be courageous, be strong.”

Carlton Kirk

Class Instructor

Coach Carlton has been a competitive dancer for 12 years and goes to Birmingham Dance Theatre in Hoover. Although she’s a dancer, she has been tumbling for 8 years and has worked skills all the way up to fulls. She went to Hewitt Trussville her whole life until she decided to do online school this year. She recently got connected to an agency in Nashville and wants to pursue professional dance. She loves being a leader and helping kids achieve their goals and become their best selves. When she would travel with her company she would assist professional choreographers in classes where over 1000 athletes from around the world would attend. Carlton loves a good work ethic and loves to see positivity. She will strive for every child to have a positive outlook on tumbling and cheer. She has fallen in love with coaching at TAC and cannot wait for what the future will bring!!