Ford Ice Center is proud to partner with the Scott Hamilton Skating Academy to offer a wide range of talented, professional skating instructors sharing their experience and passion for the sport. Whether you are new to skating or training to be an Olympian, you can learn more about our U.S. Figure Skating/USA Hockey registered coaches below and contact them to schedule a private lesson.

Scott Hamilton, Olympic Gold Medalist & SHSA Founder

Scott Hamilton, Olympic Gold Medalist & SHSA Founder

The most recognized male figure skating star in the world, Scott Hamilton has won 70 titles, awards and honors including an Emmy Award nomination, induction into the United States Olympic Hall of Fame and a privileged member of the World Figure Skating Hall of Fame.

In 1984, Scott captured the attention of the world with his Olympic Gold medal performances in Saravejo and since has shared his love and enthusiasm for the sport as an analyst/commentator, performer, producer and best-selling author. Scott further inspires others as a speaker, humanitarian and a cancer and pituitary brain tumor survivor.

After losing his mother to cancer, then becoming survivor himself, Scott turned activist, launching the Scott Hamilton CARES Foundation. Events such as Sk8 to Elimin8 Cancer and An Evening with Scott Hamilton & Friends fund research into treatments that beat the cancer while sparing the patient.

Scott is also the founder of the Scott Hamilton Skating Academy at the Ford Ice Centers where he may frequently be found coaching Learn to Skate students and sharing his love of skating.

In what little free time remains, Scott can be found on the golf course and enjoys spending time with his wife Tracie and their four children - at their home in Nashville, Tennessee.

Paula Trujillo, SHSA Director

Paula Trujillo, SHSA Director

Some would say, having grown up in Minnesota, Paula was born with skates on! Her dad often said that her childhood passion carried through to a lifelong passion for our sport, through competing, performing, coaching and now directing. After touring with Ice Capades for 10 years, Paula's thirst for knowledge turned toward developing a coaching career. Within four years of applying countless hours of time, financial investment and travel to study with Olympic Coaches, World Coaches and colleagues around the country, Paula achieved her Master Rating in Free Skating and Choreography & Style.

To Paula, it wasn't about becoming a Master Rated coach. She has an insatiable thirst for knowledge that pushes her to gift what she's learned to all the athletes she has worked with. Still thirsty for more, she went on to earn a Master Group & Program Director rating. Paula lived and coached in Las Vegas for 25 years until she sought the opportunity, in 2014, to work alongside Olympic Champion Scott Hamilton and the Nashville Predators with the inception a whole new culture of skating. Under her guidance, the Scott Hamilton Skating Academy's core values are to work and win in collaboration, to achieve superior performance, programming and guest care, all in a rink united in joy, hard work, determination and community.

PSA Master Rated: Free skating, Choreography & Style, Program Director, Group Instructor || PSA Certified: Moves in the Field, US Figure Skating Sectional Technical Specialist & Video Replay, US Figure Skating Non Qual Data Operator || Ice Capades Performer: 10 years touring, 20+ years coaching/choreography

Kori Ade, Elite Figure Skating Manager

Kori Ade, Elite Figure Skating Manager

Kori is a U.S. National, International, World and Olympic coach with a Professional Skaters Association Master rating in Free Skating, as well as, Level VIII ranking. She has applied her knowledge of sports science, psychology and peak performance into her coaching strategies in order to cultivate each individual athlete.

Available for private lessons in Freeskate, Spin Technique, Jump Technique, mental training for beginner through Elite skaters and coach mentoring programs.

Peter Sasmore, Program & Event Coordinator

Peter Sasmore, Program & Event Coordinator

Peter Sasmore is a USFS Ice Dance Gold Medalist, Gold Free Dance and International Dance Medalist. He has 35 years of coaching experience, specializing in Ice Dance, Moves in the Field and Choreography.

Yuriy Kocherzhenko, Coach

Yuriy Kocherzhenko, Coach

Yuriy started skating at the age of three and is recognized for being a five-time National Champion, two-time World Competitor, and a European Competitor. Yuriy has National and International coaching experience, along with being an Olympic team member. He has been coaching for 18 years with experience in coaching Elite Training Teams.

Available for private lessons in Moves in the Field, Skating Skills, Transitions, Ice Dancing, Pole Harness, Power Skating, Hockey Skating Skills, Hockey Power Skills, Off-ice Posture, Lines, and Movement.

Kelly Hobbs, Coach

Kelly Hobbs, Coach

Kelly is a U.S. Figure Skating Category A coach who has achieved her Master rating in Moves in the Field and Certified in Free Skate. Kelly has been coaching for more than 11 years and works with the Scott Hamilton Skating Club and Learn to Skate Program.

Specializes in Basic Skills, All Levels of Freestyle and Moves in the Field.

Siobhan Karam, Coach

Siobhan Karam, Coach

Specializing in ice dance, stroking, edges and footwork, Siobhan is a Singles/Ice Dance Choreographer who is a Jr. National Gold Medalist, World Championships Competitor, as well as a 12-time National Competitor. As a U.S. Figure Skating Coach and NCCP certified National Coach, she has 10-plus years of coaching experience. 

Available for private lessons in Ice Dance, Choreography and Style beginner and advanced skaters.

Mallory Wetherington, Coach

Mallory Wetherington, Coach

Mallory is a U.S Figure Skating Category A Coach, holding a registered rating in Moves in the Field from the Professional Skaters Association. She holds both her Gold tests in Dance and Moves in the Field. Mallory has 20 years of skating experience, 12 years of competition experience and 10 years of coaching experience with all ages and levels. She is also a certified Personal Trainer and SUP paddle board instructor.

Mallory specializes in Basic Skills, all levels of Freestyle, Jump and Spin technique, Moves in the Field, choreography, music editing and hockey power skating.

Jacki Munzel, Coach

Jacki Munzel, Coach

Jacki a former National and World International Figure Skating competitor, Jacki Munzel has been teaching skating and power skating for over 30 years. Her focus on the technique of skating sets her apart from other skating instructors; she works with her students until they feel the right approach. Jacki's focus is on the technique of skating and the way the body works. She teaches her students how to get pressure into the ice to generate speed, working with each player to find their individual technique and to understand how to use it to their advantage.

Shawnee Smith, Coach

Shawnee Smith, Coach

Born and raised in Colorado, Shawnee started training in Colorado Springs and Denver at age 5. She is a triple USFS Gold medalist in Freestyle, Dance and Moves in the Field. Shawnee fell in love with synchronized skating and in 2011, she moved to Boston to skate for Team USA, The Haydenettes. They won the 2012 US National Synchronized Championships and earned a Bronze medal at the World Synchronized Skating Championships in Sweden.

Shawnee is available for private lessons in the basic skills, freestyle, spins, jumps, power and hockey skills, and specializes in all skills related to synchronized skating.

Shannon Middleton, Coach

Shannon Middleton, Coach

Shannon began skating in Southern California, training for several years at the Ice Castle International Training Center under their World and Olympic coaching staff. She is a former National Ice Dancing Competitor, who has her Gold Medal in Ice Dancing and Moves in the Field, as well as her Junior Free Skate test. Shannon has been coaching for over 14 years, and currently holds a Professional Skaters Association Registered Rating in Freestyle, and Moves in the Field. 

Shannon is currently accepting new students and teaches all levels of figure skating in Moves in the Field, Ice Dancing, Freestyle and Choreography

Ginger Friedenburger, Coach

Ginger Friedenburger, Coach

Ginger is an Ottawa native, with more than 30 years of coaching experience. She skated in, and choreographed, professional ice shows for 18 years. Ginger is a mother to three sons, all of whom play ice hockey. Ginger is available for private lessons and specializes in Basic Skills, Moves in the Field, Jumps, Spins, Choreography and Power for Hockey Players.

Cody Howard, Coach

Cody Howard, Coach

Cody has experience working with skaters of all levels, and currently holds a Hockey 1 certification with the Professional Skaters Association. 

He specializes in introductory skating skills, hockey skating skills, and teaches Adaptive Skating, which focuses on individuals that have a range of physical or developmental disabilities.

Christine Anne Mathes, Coach

Christine Anne Mathes, Coach

Christine brings more than 30 years of coaching experience to the Scott Hamilton Skating Academy. She is a current PSA member with a passion for continued coaching education. Christine trained under Olympic coaches, Mary and Evy Scotvold. As an athlete, her accomplishments include: Novice Free Skating, Intermediate pairs and 4th Figure tests. As a coach, she welcomes all levels of skaters and focuses on all skating disciplines. Christine is available for private lessons.

Brittany Mathes, Coach

Brittany Mathes, Coach

Brittany is a Professional Skaters Association member and is pursuing her goal to become a PSA rated coach. Brittany skated in the Greater Milwaukee Figure Skating Club ice shows for four years and was trained by her mother, Christine Mathes, since she was 6 years old. She specializes in Basic Skills and Freestyle and is available for private lessons.

Becki Hendren, Coach

Becki Hendren, Coach

Becki is a lifelong skater and a Professional Skaters Association registered coach with more than 10 years experience teaching Basic Skills, Free Skate, Adults and Moves in the Field and holds a Masters degree in Kinesiology from California State University Long Beach. Becki is also a certified personal trainer and U.S. Figure Skating S.T.A.R.S. assessor with more than 15 years experience in off-ice training and conditioning. Her passion is helping individuals of all ages and abilities achieve their skating, fitness and healthy lifestyle goals and believes skating offers something for everyone.

Ali Blank, Coach

Ali Blank, Coach

Ali is a four-time National and one-time International competitor in both pairs and singles, as well as, a triple Gold medalist in pairs, singles, and Moves in the Field. After turning pro and touring the world with Disney on Ice, Ali moved to New York City and taught as an instructor at Chelsea Piers Sky Rink. During this time, she was an ice girl for both the Nashville Predators and New York Rangers, starred in the Radio City Christmas Spectacular and performed for many years with Ice Theatre of New York.

Christina Donelson, Coach

Christina Donelson, Coach

Christina brings 10 years of coaching experience to the Scott Hamilton Academy. She specializes in the development of skaters from the Learn to Skate program through advanced levels of testing and competition. Christina trained in the Atlanta area under national and international level coaches and passed her Novice Free Skating and 5th figure tests. Christina is available for private lessons.