Our Instructors
Coaches
Terry Tonius
Ice in Paradise Skating School Director
- Member of United States Figure Skating, Professional Skaters Association, and the Ice Skating Institute.
- Coached Regional, Sectional, National and Junior Olympic competitors and champions, which includes the 1983 Novice Ladies National Champion from the Santa Barbara Figure Skating Club.
contact: terry@iceinparadise.org
Frank Anderson
Frank Anderson began skating after college and has been an avid participant in the sport for over 35 years. During that time, Frank passed USFS proficiency tests in pairs (bronze level), moves in the field (adult gold) and ice dance (gold level). Frank competed as an adult and was the 2 time Southern California Adult Ice Dance Champion. Frank has been teaching skating skills and ice dance for 8 years.
contact: frank.anderson.sb@gmail.com
Patti Bates
- Competed in four U.S. Nationals, her best finish being a silver medal.
- Professionally, she was a principal adagio skater for Ice Capades for five years.
- Skated an additional four years in ice shows all over the world.
contact: patti.bates@outlook.com
Briauna Donnelly
Bri is a Psychology and Religious Studies graduate from UC Santa Barbara. Her 17 years of Figure Skating experience includes USFSA testing, competition and Showcase performance as well as 6 years of coaching as an ISI instructor and show choreographer.
Kristen Fuerst
Kristen is originally from New York. She has over 20 years of recreational and competitive coaching experience. She is a member of ISI and USFSA. She was the skating school director for Ebersole Ice Rink in White Plains, New York, for over 17 years.
“My goal is to inspire and teach students of ALL ages to be the best they can be.”
contact: kp@skatinginstructor.com
Allison Gustafson
Allison Jones Gustafson is currently the Director of Gustafson Dance, the official school of State Street Ballet of Santa Barbara. Ms. Gustafson has been teaching ballet to all levels of adults and children for 25 years. In addition, she has been teaching ballet to figure skaters at the Lake Placid Summer Skating Program for the last four years. As Director of Gustafson Dance, she has developed curriculum, overseen productions and advised many students. She has produced and directed dozens of original ballets, including Nutcracker,Rudolph, Peter and the Wolf and Degas and the Little Dancer. Ms. Gustafson is an ABTÒ Certified Teacher, who has successfully completed the ABTÒ Teacher Training Intensive in Primary through Level 7 of the ABTÒ National Training Curriculum.
contact: allisongustafson@earthlink.net
Cedric Laignier
- Born in Paris, France.
- Began skating at the age of 4.
- French national medalist.
- 10 years of skating professionally for Holiday on Ice, Disney on Ice, Royal Caribbean Cruise Line, with Willy Bietak Productions, Inc., and the European TV show, Skating with the Stars.
- Specializes in pair skating, freestyle skills, editing of show and competition music, and boot and blade care.
contact: coachcedric@icloud.com website: www.laignier.com
Elizabeth Laignier
- Began skating in Southern California at 4 years old.
- 5-time U.S. national competitor.
- Gold medalist in moves in the field and freestyle.
- Skated professionally for 12 years with Woodstock Productions, Holiday on Ice, Disney on Ice, and Willy Bietak Productions, Inc.
- Specializes in choreography, freestyle skills, edge work, and off-ice conditioning.
Steve Laumann
- More than 20 years of coaching experience across all ages and skill levels.
- Specializes in moves in the field, dance tests, and power stroking techniques.
- Personally trained more than 30 moves in the field Gold Medalists.
- National ice dance competitor; member USFS and Ice Skating Institute.
contact: stevelaumann@verizon.net
Nadia Lefebvre Chapman
- Canadian double gold medalist
- Competed in gold dances at age 14
- Skate Canada level 1 instructor
- Certified with the Canadian National Coaching Program
- ISI gold level judge
- USFSA member
- Double-gold coach
- Teaches all levels and disciplines
contact: nadiachapmansk8@hotmail.com
Lauryn Lesovsky
Lauryn is a United States Figure Skating double gold medalist. In addition to teaching figure skating, she works in healthcare and has a passion for children’s health.
contact: lnlesovsky@gmail.com
Cathy O'Donnell
- Performed and Choreographed for Shipstad's and Johnson Ice Follies
- 40 years of teaching experience in USFS Competitive and ISI Recreational Skaters
- Specializes in Free Skate and Choreography
- Member of PSA, ISI, and USFSA
Janyce Okamoto
- From Nashville, Tennessee.
- Former national and international pairs competitor.
- Rated coach by the Professional Skaters Association in freestyle and pairs
- BA in psychology from UCSB.
contact: janyce.okamoto@gmail.com
Viana Pham
Viana is currently a student at UCSB in pursuit of a B.S. in Biochemistry. Originally from San Diego, she grew up skating there starting at age 9. She has been skating for 10 years and has experience in USFSA freeskate and artistic competitions. On top of her skating, she works in a biology laboratory on campus and volunteers at Goleta Valley Cottage Hospital.
Jeanne Pierle
- Over 25 years experience in coaching students of all ages and levels.
- She has a passion for skating and enjoys creating/choreographing for individuals and groups.
- Current member of United States Figure Skating and the Ice Skating Institute.
contact: prlyjean@gmail.com
Ice Ambassadors
Sheri D. Dee Ward
Petra McPhee
Petra holds a Master Degree in German and French from the Sorbonne in Paris. She is the former editor of the national syndicated radio show “The Dream Doctor”. She has also cowritten two books with her late husband.
Born and raised in Austria, Petra always enjoyed ice skating. Her two daughters developed a passion for it and have joined the ice skating school. Petra is grateful for this opportunity and looks forward continuing to help the ice skating community.
Carlita Mead
Carlita was born in Holland and immigrated to Canada with her family at age 1. She remembers her dad strappito her boots in the winter to skate the canals. Once she got to Canada skiing was her passion. At age 60 a friend encouraged her to try skating. 10 years later she is still at it. Carlita loves helping the little ones get checked in and ready for skating school. "watching them grow in the sport is extremely rewarding"
Volunteers
Sam Alen
I was born in Santa Barbara and did gymnastics from the age of 4 to 10 years old and ballet for 4 years after that. I have been ice skating for the past 8 months. I have found the sport that I truly love. I volunteer every Tuesday and Saturday for skating school. The reason that I volunteer is because I like to give back to the community and I love working with kids. I would like to thank the staff at Ice in Paradise for the opportunity to volunteer at this cool place to skate.
Celia McPhee
I feel incredibly liberated when I skate. The rink has brought a lot of happiness into my life. I am inspired by all the wonderful and talented coaches. I love to help them as an appreciation for their hard work.
Juan Sebastian Valtierra
Volunteering at Ice in Paradise is such a pleasure. I enjoy working with the kids and the staff. I played soccer until I was 10 then my friend invited me to a Holiday Show at the Oxnard rink. I fell in love with skating. I am inspired to become a great figure skater. Now I am happy that we have a rink here in Goleta. I have always loved to skate for hours on end - it's my passion. I also love to see people having fun on the ice. I volunteer every Saturday and Tuesday. Sometimes I help with summer camps here at the rink.
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