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COACHES
INFORMATION ON PRIVATE LESSON & COACHING STAFF
The Sioux Falls FSC takes great care in providing all of our skaters with a knowledgeable, educated, trained, and dedicated staff to ensure that each individual is safely receiving proper instruction when taking part in any of our programs, including private lessons. All of our coaches are U.S. Figure Skating certified coaches and have completed SafeSport training and instructor-specific training through Learn to Skate USA.
Our coaching staff includes:
Senior Coaches: Audrey Akkerman, Meili Alvine, Sophia Andersen, Riley Block, Lillian Derynck, Jenna Ebert, Jackie Fossum, Kaitlyn French, Ava Gintvainis, Courtney Heath, Tasia Hillestad, Brittany Hogie, Kendra Karsky, Raegan Klein, Mary Kline, Olivia McDowell, Kenzie Melstad, Hannah Miller, Narysse Nicolet, Eva Paulson, Piper Schulz, Kenzie Shubert
Hockey Academy Coaches: Riley Block, Shyler Block, Ava Gintvainis, Brittney Hogie, Abigail Ingham, Raegan Klein, Kenzie Melstad
Junior Coaches: Sam Hovey-Stubbles, Abigail Ingham, Makenna Kindt, Norah Siverhus
Outside Professionals interested in coaching private lessons should contact our Skating Director for further information.
Contact: info@sffsc.com
MEET OUR COACHES
Coach: Riley Block
Currently Taking New Students: No
Number of Years Coaching: 12 Years
Coaching Philosophy: Helping children enjoy and advance through ice skating while teaching them valuable life lessons and nurturing their love for the sport.
Teaches: Advanced Classes, Learn to Skate, Hockey Academy, Theater on Ice, Private Lessons for both Hockey and Figure Skating
Coaching Credentials: ISI Professional Membership, Gold ISI Judge Certified, USFS Compliant Coach, LTS USA Instructor, USA Hockey Certified Coach
Athlete Achievements: Aided and Coaches Skaters up to the ISI Open Gold Level, Gold Skating Skills, and Juvenile Elements
Other Achievements: Riley has experience coaching students at ISI competitions both in the area and at National events (10 years) and USFS competitions (6 years). She has choreographed several programs for athletes in the club & annual show and has experience working with hockey skaters ages 4 - 15 on skating skills in preparation for hockey leagues.
Riley is CPR certified and holds a Bachelor of Science Degree - Elementary and Middle School Education
Fun Fact: Riley has five dogs, enjoys watching hockey and has a passion for working with hockey skaters. She has been a member of the Sioux Falls Figure Skating Club consistently for 20 years.
Coach: Lillian Derynck
Currently Taking New Students: Yes
Number of Years Coaching: 4 Years
Coaching Philosophy: I aim to share my love for the sport of figure skating and help skaters develop a strong foundation of skills that will set them up for future success; all while encouraging a positive attitude and the growth of self-confidence.
Teaches: Singles, Skating Skills, Group, Choreography, and Off-ice
Coaching Credentials: LTS USA Compliant, USFS Compliant, ISI Compliant, ISI Gold Judge, Safesport certified, Heads-up Concussion certified, PSA member
PSA Ratings: Registered Moves in the Field
Athlete Achievements: Lillian has helped her athletes to progress through the basic and Freeskate levels, encouraged confidence on the ice, and prepared skaters for ISI and USFS competitions. She has also coached skaters through their Juvenile Skating Skills tests.
Other Achievements: Lillian was a part of the South Dakota Stars Theater on Ice Team that competed in June 2019 at Theater Nationals in Alabama. She is currently working on her Junior Moves In The Field. Lillian is CPR and first aid certified. She has attended several skating workshops as well as a LTS USA coaching clinic.
Fun Fact: Lillian is currently a junior biology major with minors in medical humanities and neuroscience at Augustana University. Lillian is excited to continue her love of skating through coaching. She has been a member of the Sioux Falls Figure Skating Club for 12 years. Outside of skating she enjoys spending time with her friends and her dog, Ruby!
Coach: Jackie Fossum
Currently Taking New Students: No
Number of Years Coaching: 6 years
Coaching Philosophy: To have fun while learning and achieving. Skating is a break from daily demands. Putting the passion of a hobby I love into my teaching so that growing skaters may develop that passion as well while still accomplishing new goals for themselves on the ice.
Teaches: Group (Basic skills, freeskate), Low jumps and spins, edges/control/power
Credentials: LTS USA compliant, Safesport compliant
Athlete Accomplishments: N/A
Other Achievements: N/A
Fun Fact: I run a home daycare in my home so that I can stay home with my children and I hold two certifications with the American Welding Society that I still use for side projects when I have time.
Coach: Courtney Heath
Currently Taking New Students: No
Number of Years Coaching: 9 years
Coaching Philosophy: Allowing athletes the opportunity to grow and become the skater they have always wanted to be. Giving students a fun atmosphere to develop their basic skills and advanced techniques to improve their skating. While gaining confidence in themselves on and off the ice.
Teaches: Skating Skills/Moves In the Field, Aspire, Off-ice, Jumps and Spins, LTS
Credentials: USFS Compliant Coach, ISI Gold Judge, PSA professional member, CSD Degree under ISI University
Athlete Achievements: Skaters have tested up to Novice Moves in the Field, Juvenile Freeskate, and ISI Freestyle 6
Other Achievements: Courtney was a competitive skater from the age of ten to eighteen years old. She was in the top three for the Red River Valley Artistic Showcase with the program "All That Jazz". She has passed Intermediate MIF, Juvenile Freeskate, and is now on her Silver Dances.
Fun Fact: I've gotten to meet Olympian Gracie Gold twice!
Coach: Kendra Karsky
Currently Taking New Students: No
Number of Years Coaching: 1 year but use to coach in HS and College.
Coaching Philosophy: Work hard, have fun and keep smiling!
Teaches: Learn to Skate classes
Credentials: Safesport compliant
Fun Fact: I have been an elementary school teacher for 10 years, I have 3 children with my husband of 12 years!
Coach: Raegan Klein
Currently Taking New Students: Limited
Number of Years Coaching: 4 years
Coaching Philosophy: Providing guidance to athletes who are working towards their full potential. Strengthening basic skating skills, advanced skills, and working towards mastery.
Teaches: LTS classes, Advanced Classes, Hockey Academy, Freestyle, Sunlight Skate, Daytrip Skate, Aspire, Choreography, Off Ice, SD Theater On Ice, ISI competitors and USFS competitors.
Credentials: LTS USA compliant, USFS compliant, ISI compliant, Safesport compliant, ISI Gold Certified Judge
Athlete Accomplishments: Advancing through basic skills in both figure skating and hockey, transitioning skaters through intermediate levels and into competitions, graduating skaters from single jumps to doubles.
Other Achievements: I have competed in South Dakota’s Theater on Ice team 2 years.
Fun Fact: I love teaching life long skills with figure skating. During the days I coach Sunlight Skate Classes Where I get to combine counting, dancing, colors and shapes with skating In my classes of homeschooled and pre-school students.
Coach: Mary Kline
Currently Taking New Students: Yes
Number of Years Coaching: 1 year senior coach, 1 year junior coach, 2 years volunteer coaching
Coaching Philosophy: Mary strives to help athletes reach their personal goals while continuing to build their love for skating through a fun and supportive environment.
Teaches: LTS Classes, Skating Skills
Credentials: USFS compliant, LTS USA compliant, Safesport certified
Athlete Accomplishments: Mary has helped skaters work their way through basic levels and start to test skating skills.
Other Achievements: Mary has been skating for 9 years. She is a USFS Gold Medalist in Moves in the Field. She was on the South Dakota Stars TOI team that competed in the 2019 Theatre Nationals in Alabama. Mary is also CPR certified and has her CNA certification.
Fun Fact: Outside of skating, Mary is on the Jefferson High School sideline cheer squad. She enjoys traveling and lifeguarding in the summer!
Coach: Madisen Lindholm
Currently Taking New Students: Yes
Number of Years Coaching: 8 years
Coaching Philosophy: I am passionate about helping skaters develop technical excellence, artistic expression, and a resilient mindset on and off the ice.
Teaches: Advanced Classes, Learn to Skate, Aspire, and Private Lessons (Skating Skills, Ice Dance, Free Skate)
Credentials: USFS Coach, LTS USA Instructor
Other Achievements: Madisen is currently working on Pre-Gold Skating skills, Pre-Silver Ice Dance, solo free dance and has competed and medaled at the Denver Invitational Competition. She also has a BS in Atmospheric and Environmental Sciences from SD School of Mines and Technology.
Fun Fact: She has been skating for nearly 20 years and has skated at the Roosevelt Park Ice Arena in Rapid City up until moving this year. As a meteorologist, she loves to chase severe storms and will talk about weather anytime!
Coach: Olivia McDowell Otta
Currently Taking New Students: No
Number of Years Coaching: 7 years of senior coaching, junior coaching prior to that
Coaching Philosophy: With the combination of hard work and a true passion for the sport, anything’s possible.
Teaches: Group, Freestyle, Power, Off-ice
Credentials: LTS USA compliant, Safesport compliant, USFS compliant, ISI compliant
Athlete Accomplishments: Olivia's students are dedicated to their technique and have excelled at a variety of jumps and spins elements.
Other Achievements: When Olivia was a skater, she was in ISI Freestyle 9. She loved to compete and perform, as well as coach private lessons. Olivia cherishes the relationships she built at the rink. After high school, she attended Pepperdine University and graduated in the spring of 2020. Olivia now works in the life insurance business. She enjoys being involved in a figure skating club that had such a positive impact on her childhood.
Fun Fact: Olivia got married this past summer and is loving married life! She also loves hot yoga, traveling, and spending quality time with her family and friends.
Coach: Kenzie Melstad
Currently Taking New Students: Yes
Number of Years Coaching: 2 years senior coach, 1 year junior coach
Coaching Philosophy: To help skaters grow in their love for figure skating or hockey while providing support and encouragement to enable skaters to excel.
Teaches: Hockey Academy, Learn to Skate & Aspire classes
Credentials: ISI Bronze Certified Judge, LTS USA compliant, Safesport compliant
Athlete Accomplishments: Kenzie has helped her students excel through Basic levels of skating.
Other Achievements: Kenzie is in Freestyle 7 and Junior MITF.
Fun Fact: Kenzie is going to school to be a nurse.
Coach: Hannah Miller
Currently Taking New Students: Yes
Number of Years Coaching: 1 year senior coach, 1 year junior coach, 3 years volunteer
Coaching Philosophy: I want to teach skaters the fundamentals of the sport so that they can safely develop to the best of their ability. Through it all I want them to continue to grow their love of figure skating.
Teaches: Group (Snowplow, Basic skills, Freeskate), Freestyle
Credentials: LTS USA compliant, Safesport compliant, USFS compliant
Athlete Accomplishments: Hannah has taught skaters through snowplow to Freeskate 1 and a few adults as well.
Other Achievements: Hannah has skated for 14 years with the Sioux Falls Figure Skating Club. She has trained in both ISI and USFS, competing for 10 yearsin ISI. She has passed ISI freestyle 6, USFS Novice MITF, and USFS Intermediate Freeskate. In addition, Hannah skated with the South Dakota Stars Theater on Ice Team. She is also a BLS provider, trained in CPR and AED usage.
Fun Fact: Outside of skating Hannah participates in dance and outdoor activities with friends. This year Hannah will be exploring her post secondary education options.
Coach: Meili Alvine
Currently Taking New Students: Yes
Number of Years Coaching: 2 years junior coach, 1 year senior coach
Coaching Philosophy: Having fun, being positive, and encouraging skaters to be the best they can be.
Teaches: Learn to skate (snowplow, basics, aspire)
Credentials: LTS USA compliant, Safesport compliant
Athlete Accomplishments:
Other Achievements: Working on Intermediate MIF, three years on the TOI team, and currently in freestyle 5. Meili has a 4.0 GPA, academic awards, and peer tutor.
Fun Fact: I enjoy being a part of frontline in marching band and playing the flute in band. I love to travel, read, paint, and play with my dogs
Coach: Kaitlyn French
Currently Taking New Students: Yes
Number of Years Coaching: 1 year
Coaching Philosophy: I enjoy teaching skaters basic skills on the ice that will help them build up to their figure skating goals! Learn, practice, and have fun!
Teaches: Basic skills, jumps, and spins
Credentials: LTS USA compliant, Safesport compliant
Other Achievements: Passed Juvenile MIF
Fun Fact: Outside of skating, I enjoy tennis and art!
