All Senior Skating Instructors listed below are on staff at The Rinks Poway ICE, however, they are independent contractors who use the Poway ICE facility to teach private lessons. Each Senior Skating Instructor sets their own schedules, lesson rates, and coaching policies. Lesson fees will vary depending upon the coach’s qualifications, teaching experience, and PSA Ratings. Below, you will find a list of our staff Senior Skating Instructors, as well as our Learn to Skate Instructors (do not teach private lessons), a brief biography of their skating background and credentials. Feel free to contact them directly with the information provided or reach out to Kristen Perdue (kperdue@therinks.com), Skating School Lead to get connected with a coach!
Senior Skating Instructors
Disciplines/Specialties:
Competitive coaching; Choreography; Improvisation; Basic Skills; Skaters with Special Needs; Edge & Power Skating; Hockey Power Skating; Shows & Exhibitions; Spin Technique
Skating/Competitive Background:
US Figure Skating Adult Sectionals Competitor, 2023
North Atlantic Regional Competitor, 2007-2001
US Figure Skating Association Double Gold Medalist - Free Skate & Moves-in-the-Field
Pre-Bronze Ice Dance
Professional Affiliations:
US Figure Skating Association Member – All Year Figure Skating Club
Professional Skaters Association Member
- PSA Rating:
- Registered Sport Science
- Senior Group
Learn-to-Skate USA Instructor Member
US SafeSport Trained & Certified
Formal Education:
Master of Science in Family & Human Development, Arizona State University (online)
Bachelor of Arts in Music Therapy, Belmont University, Nashville, TN
- Primary instruments - violin/fiddle, voice, guitar
- Secondary instruments - piano, ukulele, hand percussion, mandolin
Background in ballet, jazz, tap & contemporary – 14+ years
Coaching Philosophy:
I believe every person has the capability to accomplish any goal with the guiding, supportive and encouraging hand of an invested teacher or coach. My goal as an instructor is to teach each of my students fundamental skating skills that will provide a solid foundation for a life-long love and career in competitive or recreational skating. More importantly, I strive to encourage a sense of determination, confidence, authenticity, and accomplishment in each of my students by adapting my teaching style to meet their needs.
Fun Fact:
I wrote a children’s songbook and I enjoy making art in my studio!
Email: Kristen.ashley126@gmail.com
Professional Affiliations:
US Figure Skating Association Member – San Diego Figure Skating Club
Professional Skaters Association Member
Learn-to-Skate USA Instructor Member
US SafeSport Trained & Certified
Number of Years Coaching: 3+ years
Disciplines/Specialties:
Basic Skills; Young, beginner skaters and competitors starting from age 2 and up
Skating/Competitive Background:
US Figure Skating Competitor
ISI Competitor
Professional Affiliations:
US Figure Skating Association Member – All Year Figure Skating Club
Learn-to-Skate USA Instructor Member
US SafeSport Trained & Certified
Trained by a two-time European Silver Medalist, British Winter Olympian, and 3-time ISU Grand prix competitor.
Coaching Philosophy:
I love teaching kids from all ages and preparing them to get to where they want to be.
Fun Fact:
I am bilingual in Spanish
Email: aryel0308@gmail.com
Number of Years Coaching: 18+ years
Disciplines/ Specialties:
Competitive coach; Skater development; Basic Skills; Skating Skills (Moves in the Field)
Skating/Competitive Background:
Collegiate national competitor
Professional Affiliations:
US Figure Skating Association Member – All Year Figure Skating Club
Professional Skaters Association Member
- PSA Rating:
- Certified Group
- Register Moves in the Field
- Registered Free Skating
- Basic Accredidation
Learn-to-Skate USA Instructor Member
US SafeSport Trained & Certified
Formal Education:
California Teaching Credential – California State University, San Marcos
- Concentrations: general education; mild/moderate
Paralegal Certificate – UC San Diego
Bachelor of Arts in Pychology/Law & Society – UC Riverside
Bachelor of Science in Health & Exercise Science – University of Delaware
- Concentration in Figure Skating
Classically trained in ballet
Email: ashleym424@gmail.com
Number of Years Coaching: 8+ years
Disciplines/ Specialties:
Basic Skills; Young, beginner skaters starting from age 2 and up
Skating/Competitive Background:
I grew up figure skating in San Diego, California, beginning at the age of 8. I have competed in Ice Skating Institute (ISI) competitions up to the Gold level and medaled twice at ISI Worlds.
Professional Affiliations:
Learn-to-Skate USA Instructor Member
US SafeSport Trained & Certified
Formal Education:
Bachelor of Science in Biology, Concentration in Physiology - California State University, San Marcos
- Minors: Chemistry, French
Coaching Philosophy:
I am passionate about spreading my love of skating to future generations. Skating should be a positive outlet for the skater. It is my mission to not only coach children in the sport, but to also help build their confidence for their day-to-day lives to be their best versions of themselves. I believe that growing up in skating helped me to blossom in various other aspects of my life. Skating and competing individually created a "performance" mindset which helped me in my daily life, and in school, because I was able to present projects and speeches with confidence. I hope to instill the confidence that I was given through skating to my students.
Number of Years Coaching: 23+ years
Disciplines/ Specialties:
Competitive coaching; Foundational jump technique; Spin technique; Choreography; Skating Skills (Moves in the Field)
Skating/Competitive Background:
US Figure Skating Gold Medalist
US Figure Skating Double Silver Medalist - Moves in the Field, Figures, Freestyle
Competitive skater in the Southwest Region at Junior Ladies – 8 years
Principal skater and Star of Ice Capades, Disney on Ice, Holiday on Ice, Sea World, and American Super Dream in Japan
Professional Affiliations:
US Figure Skating Association Member
Professional Skaters Association Member
Learn-to-Skate USA Instructor Member
US SafeSport Trained & Certified
Formal Education:
Master of Science in Industrial/Organizational Psychology – California State University, San Bernadino
Master Certified in Sport Psychology
Bachelor of Science in Psychology – California State University, San Bernadino
Coaching Philosophy:
I coach skaters to learn how to be resilient, hardworking, and optimistic all while finding a love for the ice and skating. I focus on strong foundational skating technique and learning life lessons that skaters will use later in college, their careers and beyond!
Fun Fact:
Creator of Mentally Tough Skaters program, coaching individual and team skaters in focus/activation control, flow and peak performance strategies. https://mentallytoughedge.com/
Email: shannonpeck07@gmail.com
Disciplines/ Specialties:
Competitive coaching; Basic Skills; Skating Skills; Spin technique
Skating/Competitive Background:
3-time United States Junior National Competitor
Italian National Team Member; 3-time Competitor and Medalist
ISU International Competitor and Medalist
US Figure Skating Triple Gold Medalist - Freestyle, Moves in the Field, Ice Dance
Professional Affiliations:
US Figure Skating Association Member – Pines Figure Skating Club
Professional Skaters Association Member
- PSA Rating:
- Moves in the Field
Learn-to-Skate USA Instructor Member
US SafeSport Trained & Certified
Formal Education:
All Yoga Training - 200hr Vinyasa Ashtanga teacher training
Coaching Philosophy:
I love teaching all levels! I am enthusiastic about yoga and off ice training to benefit the strength of her figure skating students.
Fun Fact:
I own and run my own photography business! In my spare time, you can find me enjoying the beach.
Email: brileypizzelanti@gmail.com
More Info Coming Soon
Number of Years Coaching: 10+ years
Disciplines/ Specialties:
Competitive coaching; Jump technique; Pairs/lift technique; Off-Ice Conditioning; Power Skating; Hockey Power Skating
Skating/Competitive Background:
US Figure Skating Sectionals Medalist - Pairs
US Figure Skating National Competitor - Pairs
US Figure Skating Gold Medalist
Professional Affiliations:
US Figure Skating Association Member – San Diego Figure Skating Club
Professional Skaters Association Member
Learn-to-Skate USA Instructor Member
US SafeSport Trained & Certified
American Council on Exercise (ACE)
Formal Education:
Personal trainer, Youth fitness specialist - American Council on Exercise (ACE)
Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) - 2013
Trained in pairs with internationally-renowned coaches Peter Oppegard, Karen Kwan, and Naomi Nari Nam.
Coaching Philosophy:
I enjoy working with competitive skaters of all levels on and off the ice. His passion is studying and applying the physics of jumps, spins and lifts to enhance the skaters’ performance.
Fun Fact:
I was a member of the international selection pool for Team USA.
Email: jschumann90@gmail.com
Number of Years Coaching: 20+ years
Discipline/ Specialties:
Competitive coaching; Basic Skills; Freestyle; Moves in the Field; Pairs technique; Edges/Power; Choreography
I currently coach recreational and competitive skaters from the grassroots level up to Senior Level. I have experience teaching Moves in The Field and Free Skate Tests from Pre-Preliminary up to Senior. I currently work with a singles skater and pairs team that are on the 2021 National Development Team. I’ve had multiple pair teams compete at Nationals at the Juvenile and Intermediate level.
Professional Affiliations:
US Figure Skating (USFS) Member – All Year Figure Skating Club
Professional Skaters Association (PSA) Member
- PSA Rating:
- Certified Group
Professional Skaters Association Level 4 Ranking - Pairs
Learn to Skate USA Instructor Member
US SafeSport Trained & Certified
Skating/Competitive Background:
National Competitor in Pairs for 16 years with 11 years at the Championship level.
National Competitor in Singles for 1 year at the Novice level
2002 Jr. World Competitor
2008 Four Continent ISU Championship Competitor
International Competitor in Pairs representing the United States for 9 years on the Jr. Grand Prix and Sr. Grand Prix Circuit
Performed in shows on PolyGlide Synthetic Ice
USFS Triple Gold Test Medalist - Free Skate, Moves in the Field, Pairs
Coached by World and Olympic Level Coaches
2023-2024 US Figure Skating Committee Member
-Athlete Advisory Committee
-Coaches Committee
-Pair Development and Technical Committee
2021-2022 US Figure Skating Committee Member
-Athlete Advisory Committee
-Membership Committee
-Pair Development and Technical Committee
-Coaches Committee
-International Committee
-International Pairs Subcommittee
-International Officials Committee
-International Officials Selections Subcommittee
-International Officials Management Subcommittee
Coaching Philosophy:
Skating is my passion and want to give back to the sport of figure skating by helping skaters reach their dreams. As a coach I want to continue challenging myself to be a better coach by always learning and continuing my skating education. I want to develop athletes into successful athletes in skating and in life. I am a head coach for skaters as well as a support/assistant coach for skaters that have a different head coach. I believe it takes a team to be behind an athlete's success.
Fun Fact:
On November 17, 2007, my pair partner Derek and I landed the first Throw Quadruple Salchow jump in International Competition (ISU Event). We made history by officially becoming the first team to land the throw in International Competition.
Learn to Skate Instructors
Number of Years Coaching: 3+ years
Disciplines/ Specialties:
Basic Skills; Hockey Power Skating; Edges & Power Skating; Club travel teams at Mite to AA level
Skating/Competitive Background:
AA and AAA club travel ice hockey teams – 13 years
Professional Affiliations:
Learn to Skate USA Instructor Member
US SafeSport Trained & Certified
USA Hockey Member
Formal Education:
AA in Business Administration in Market – Palomar College
AA in University Studies in Social Science – Palomar College
Bachelors of Business Administration & Marketing – California State University, San Marcos (at present)
Coaching Philosophy:
My goal as an instructor is to prepare each student to be ready to move onto the next level of skating in hopes of accomplishing their goals and establishing more confidence on the ice!
Fun Fact:
I like to paint in my free time
Number of Years Coaching: 8+ years
Disciplines/ Specialties:
Basic Skills, Speed Skating; Skaters with special needs
Professional Affiliations:
Learn-to-Skate USA Instructor Member
US SafeSport Trained & Certified
Fun Fact:
I am a Building Operation Engineer in my “free” time.
Number of Years Coaching: 1+ years
Disciplines/ Specialties:
Basic Skills; Synchronized skating; Skating skills; Freestyle
Skating/Competitive Background:
US Figure Skating Gold Medalist – Moves in the Field
Excel National Silver Medalist - Senior
National competitor with Team del Sol (synchronized skating)
15+ years of competitive skating
Professional Affiliations:
US Figure Skating Association Member
Learn-to-Skate USA Instructor Member
US SafeSport Trained & Certified
Formal Education:
Coaching Philosophy:
My goal as a coach is to help develop a deep love for skating in all my athletes. My philosophy involves creating an environment that encourages passion and enthusiasm.
Fun Fact:
I like to celebrate Christmas all year round!
Number of Years Coaching: 1+ years
Disciplines/ Specialties:
Basic Skills; Skaters with special needs
Skating/Competitive Background:
Pre-Juvenile - Moves in the Field
20+ years of skating experience
- Theatrical show skating
- Competitive skating
Professional Affiliations:
Learn-to-Skate USA Instructor Member
US SafeSport Trained & Certified
Formal Education:
Coached by Dawn Piepenbrink McCosh and Karen Pasco
Classical Russian ballet training – 10 years
Jazz, hip hop, tap, lyrical – 5 years
More about me:
I have two years of experience working with children on the Autism Spectrum, which roughly translates to emotion coaching. This is valuable in the skating world because so much of being a coach is being the student's cheerleader. I am continuing to pursue my USFS skating tests and currently focusing on absorbing as much knowledge as possible through teaching the Learn-to-Skate curriculum; moving up in my own certifications before taking on private students.
