LEARN-TO-SKATE
COACHING STAFF
Letitia Ahrensback
(801) 309-5817 / skatewithtish@live.com
Professional coaching experience since 2003. Figure Skating/Dance
Choreography experience since 1999. National Showcase Coach. Ice Show Director. Experience teaching children since 1999. NAC Credential in Early Childhood Education. AS in Health Sciences. Red Cross Certified Instructor. Summer Camp Director. Trained at Ice Castles International Training Center in California. Performed in various ice shows, including the Utah Ice Theater, and on-stage theatrical/musical productions. Danced competitively on show and drill teams for 5 years. Coaching Disciplines: Basic skills, Moves in the Field, Jumps, Spins, Power Skating. Specializing in Choreography/ and Performance. Also, Fundamental skating skills and development of beginning athletes.
Alexandra Gerday
(801) 851-0765 / Alexandra.gerday@gmail.com
Professional figure skating coach with 10 + years of experience. Member of the Professional Skater's Association since 2010. MS in Kinesiology and Health, with an emphasis in Sports Leadership, Graduate Certificate in Sports Psychology. BS in Sports Leadership and Management, specializing in Coaching. Currently CPR and First Aid certified. PSA rated Coach, Registered Moves, Registered Group, Senior Program Director. Tested Gold in US Figure Skating Tests, Move in the Field, Freestyle, Dance and Solo Free Dance. 2014 National Champion in College Varsity Synchronized skating.
Mark Jensen
(801) 710-6129 / marknd23@hotmail.com
Mark is a fun coach who encourages an upbeat and positive approach to the sport of skating. He is an Adult Gold Medalist and the 2023 National Adult Pre-Gold Dance Champion. Mark has been skating for 24 years performing in many WFSC Ice Shows, Sun Valley Adult Ice Shows, as well as in the 1998 U.S. Figure Skating National’s Opening Ceremony. He grew up playing on Golden Spike and Weber High Hockey teams. He has a Bachelor of Science Degree. Mark has worked with athletes from a variety of sports including, WSU Women’s Basketball and supervised their summer camps for 7 years, as well as teaching Curling and Special Olympics. Specialties of his teaching are: Ice Dance, Jump Harness, Hockey skills and Moves in the Field.
Elizabeth Finn Murdock
(317) 373-7681 / icecoachelizabeth@gmail.com
Originally from the east coast, Elizabeth has been skating for over 30 years.
As a coach for fifteen years, Elizabeth enjoys sharing the love of skating and its life lessons. Also, an active competitive adult skater, she has participated in the US Adult Figure Skating Championships for 16 years, winning numerous medals and awards. She has passed the Gold Moves in the Field test and holds a BA in Psychology. She considers skating to be a lifelong endeavor and appreciates the opportunity to continuously improve as a skater and performer.
Karel Kovar
(801) 721-6251 / karelkovar68@gmail.com
Coaching and choreography since 1989 in Slovakia, Leningrad, Germany, and Minnesota. Completed USFSA Senior Freestyle, Gold Figures, and Gold Pairs.
Placed 2nd four years at Czechoslovakian National Championships in singles and pairs. Senior National and International Team USA Coach. Graduate of the Institute of Physical Culture, Leningrad, Russia Sports University with an emphasis in sports medicine, choreography, and office conditioning.
International competitor and professional show skater with Holiday on Ice, Disney on Ice and Sun Valley ice shows. Performed in the 2002 Opening and Closing Olympic Ceremonies.
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Nick Apter
(210) 547-6764 / nickapter@hotmail.com
With 47 years of skating experience since the age of 6 and 27 years of coaching, Nick brings extensive expertise to the ice. As a former pair skater for the Soviet Union with Elena Nikonova, they achieved silver medals at notable competitions like Skate America 1991, Grand Prix International St. Gervais 1991, Skate Electric 1990, and won gold at Blue Swords 1988. After professional show skating from 1991 to 1997, he focused on coaching figure skating and hockey. He holds a degree in Physical Training from The College of the Olympic Reserves, graduating in 1989.
Laura Drake
(419) 571-2923 / lkdrake2005@gmail.com
Originally from the Midwest, Laura has been coaching and choreographing since 2019. She specializes in ice dance, basic skills, and choreography. Laura has many accomplishments, as she has passed gold in solo dances, gold partner dances, senior solo free dance, and senior moves. She is a three-time national solo ice dance competitor. Laura has been skating for the past 13 years. She also has a background in ballet and ballroom.
Aurora Oakes
(385) 400-2104/auroracoakes@gmail.com
Skating competitively for 14 years. Experience performing in several ice shows as well as performing while competing. Experience as part of the Wasatch Figure Skating Production Team. 5 years experience as a Learn To Skate coach. Experience teaching spins classes, off ice/on ice coach for the Aspire program, and skating skills classes. Working on BS in Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering. Tested gold in Moves in the Field, Pre-Bronze in Ice Dance, and Intermediate in Freestyles. Enjoys teaching skills related to Moves in the Field and spinning.
ADDITIONAL COACHING STAFF
