Club Coaching Professionals
Louisville Skating Academy aims to have the highest quality professional coaches involved in all club figure skating and learn to skate programs. Though independent contractors and not employed by LSA, instructor credentials are reviewed and assessed based on the needs of the club at the time.
LSA strongly encourages all coaches to increase their knowledge of the sport through membership in the Professional Skaters Association and to seek accreditation through the PSA's ratings process.
The instructors listed below provide private lessons on LSA sessions. Skaters wishing to hire a coach for private lessons are encouraged to ask questions and interview instructors to be sure that goals and teaching methods are compatible.
As independent contractors, coaches charge different rates. Hourly fees for lessons on the ice are listed below. In addition, coaches may charge for other services such as travel to competitions and test sessions or music editing. LSA recommends discussing all fees prior to entering into a professional-student relationship.
U.S. Figure Skating Certified Coaches
Jessica Mills Kincade
Director of Skating
Jessica is a former World Jr. Champion and National Jr. Ladies Silver medalist. At the Senior level she was a three time Regional Champion, Sectional Medalist and four time National competitor. Internationally, she earned a bronze medal at Skate Canada. She has achieved gold level in U.S. Figure Skating's disciplines of Freestyle, School Figures and Moves in the Field. She has achieved the Professional Skaters Association Masters Rating in Free Skate and Certified Rating for Group Instruction, and holds a PSA Level III Ranking. She also holds a Bachelor of Arts in Fashion Merchandising from Marymount University and worked for 10 years as a Merchandiser in New York City in the intimate apparel industry. While in New York she performed professionally with the Ice Theatre of New York. Jessica teaches freestyle, moves in the field, choreography and basic skills.
Rate: $68/hr.
Mary Vaughn
Learn to Skate USA Director
Aspire Director
Mary Vaughn's initial competitive figure skating career spanned over a decade in figures and through Intermediate Freestyle as a member of Figure Skating Club of Memphis, including summer training with Colorado Skating Club. She rediscovered her passion for skating as a member of Louisville Skating Academy (LSA) and teammate in the adult Louisville River Stars synchronized figure skating team, 2-time pewter medalists at the U.S. Synchronized Skating Championships. Mary's professional career includes over 20 years combined experience as a secondary educator, volunteer, group fitness instructor, and figure skating coach. Mary earned a Bachelor of Arts, English major, Latin American Studies minor, from Vanderbilt University and a Masters of Education in School Counseling from the University of Louisville. Mary currently serves as LSA Learn to Skate USA Director, LSA Board of Directors Secretary, Norton Children's Hospital Foundation Bourbon & Bowties board member, and appointed member of the inaugural U.S. Figure Skating Coaches Council. She teaches basic skills, free skate, and off-ice dance fitness.
Rate: $60/hr.
Chase Becht
Chase is a double gold medalist in skating skills and Singles and a pre-gold medalist in pairs. Chase was the National Silver Medalist at the 2014 U.S. Figure Skating National Championships in 2014, and the National Pairs Champion in Juvenile Pairs in 2016. After moving from Louisville to Colorado Springs, CO at age 16 to train at the Olympic Training Center, Chase went on to have multiple tope 10 finishes at the National Championships in singles and pairs. Additionally, he competed for Team USA internationally, including earning a top 10 finish at the 2021 ISU Jr. Grand Prix, Austria. Chase coaches singles, choreography, skating skills, group and pairs.
Rate: $52/hr.
Susan Caudill
Susan has achieved USFSGold in Dance and holds the PSA ratings of Master in Moves in the Field, Dance and Group Instruction. In addition, Susan holds the rating of Certified Figures and Freestyle. Susan and her partner were Midwestern Bronze and Silver Dance Champions and placed 4th at Nationals in Silver Dance. Susan has coached teams to compete at the the U.S. Championships in dance. She has a B.A. in Business Administration from Butler University. Susan teaches basic skills, freestyle, moves in the field, and dance.
Rate: $64/hr.
Jennifer DeVore
Jennifer has passed Novice Moves In The Field and Novice Freestyle and also competed at that level in qualifying and non qualifying competitions. She is a two time Ellen Jenkins award winner. Jennifer is also an insurance agent and loves to spend time with family and friends. She teaches basic skills, freestyle, off-ice training, and choreography.
Rate: $40/hr.
Rebecca Hatch-Purnell
Rebecca has achieved USFSGold in Moves in the Field and has passed the 5th Figure test, Novice Freestyle and Silver Dance level. She has achieved the PSA ratings of Master Group Instructor, Master Moves in the Field Instructor, Certified Freestyle Instructor, Registered Synchronized Instructor and Registered Program Director. She holds a Level III Ranking and has coached singles skaters at the U.S. junior national championships and U.S. sectional championships. Becca graduated magna cum laude from Wellesley College with a B.A. in Chinese Language and Economics and worked for more than 10 years in finance and business management. She teaches freestyle, moves in the field, synchronized skating and basic skills.
Rate: $63/hr.
Sarah Neal
Sarah is a USFS double gold medalist who holds Master ratings in Moves in the Field and Group Instruction and Certified ratings in Free Skate and Dance and an RYT-200. In addition, she holds a Level III ranking, having coached skaters in multiple disciplines through USFS gold medal tests and at the U.S. Championships, U.S. Collegiate Championships, U.S. Synchronized Skating Championships, U.S. Junior Figure Skating Championships, and National Showcase. Sarah began her coaching career in Arizona in 1998 and directed a large skating school in Madrid, Spain before moving home to Louisville in 2003. At LSA, Sarah has served as President 2005-2008, Artistic Director 2004-2020 and Learn to Skate Director 2017-2021. Having experienced the highs and lows of being an athlete and the loss of identity upon retirement, Sarah is passionate about using the wisdom of ancient and modern yoga practices to equip students with the skills necessary to thrive in skating and in life beyond sports. You can read more about how yoga informs her coaching philosophy here: www.theskatingyogi.com. Sarah teaches basic skills, free skate, moves in the field, ice dance, and yoga. In addition, she holds an M.A. in Spanish Linguistics from Arizona State University and has been a Senior Lecturer at Bellarmine University since 2003.
Rate: $66/hr.
Valory Thompson
Valory is a U.S. and Canadian double Gold medalist in figures and freestyle. She competed nationally and internationally through the junior level. She won the Vienna Cup in Austria and also represented the U.S. in Milan, Italy. She has been coaching for approximately 25 years and has taught all levels from beginners to national, international and junior world level skaters. She teaches Basic Skills and Freestyle. She enjoys choreography and has been involved in the off-ice training of her competitive students as well.
Rate: $70/hr.
Ravnn Thornton
Ravnn has achieved USFS Gold Moves in the Field, Gold Dance, and Novice Freestyle. She was a 7-time Eastern Great Lakes Regional Championship Qualifying and Non-Qualifying competitor. She is currently a student at the University of Louisville. Ravnn teaches basic skills, freestyle, moves in the field, and dance.
Rate: $36/hr.
Heidi Whitlow
Heidi has passed USFS Novice Moves in the Field, Adult Gold Moves in the Field, Juvenile Freestyle and Pre-Gold Dance as well as ISI 8 Free Skate, ISI 4 Pairs and ISI 8 Couples. Heidi has achieved the ratings of Master Group Instructor, Certified Freestyle Instructor and Certified Senior Moves in the Field Instructor. She holds a B.S. in Journalism/Advertising and in Agriculture/Horticulture. Heidi teaches basic skills, freestyle, moves in the field, and synchronized skating.
Rate: $58/hr.
Learn to Skate USA Certified Coaches
Hannah Avery
Hannah has achieved the Silver Pattern Dance and Pre-Silver Skating Skills levels. She has earned a High School Diploma and has began coaching at LSA in 2021. Hannah has professional experience in senior care and retail.
Rate: $30/hr.
Christine Crowe
Christine has Adult Gold Skating Skills, Adult Senior Solo Free Dance. 2004- 2022 Adult National Gold Medalist and Member of the 2020 & 2024 Adult International Competition Team. She has a degree in International Business. She has been skating for over 50 years and has 30 + years of coaching. Christine teaches Group, Singles, Choreography & Style, Adaptive.
Rate: $45/hr.
Elizabeth Dalton
Elizabeth has achieved the 4th Figures; Bronze Singles; Pre-Silver Pattern Dance; and Sliver Skating Skills levels. She holds a Masters of Education in Instructional Design and has 20 years experience as an educator, working as special education teacher before transitioning into eLearning design and development in both higher education and corporate training. Elizabeth has been coaching Learn to Skate and giving private lessons to Basic 1-6 skaters.
Rate: $40/hr.
Alee Keating
Alee has achieved the Gold Skating Skills, Pattern Dance and Free Dance levels and Pre-Silver Singles level. Alee is a student at the University of Delaware. She teaches singles, skating skills, ice dance and group.
Rate: $30/hr.
Stephanie Peters
Stephanie has achieved achieved the Adult Gold Pairs, Adult Gold Skating Skills, Adult Gold Singles, Silver Dance (standard), Pre-Silver Skating Skills (standard), and the first figure levels. She is a Gold medalist from the 2019 U.S. Figure Skating Adult National Championships, in Adult Silver Pairs. She earned the Silver medal in Adult Gold Pairs at the Adult Championships in 2023. Stephanie holds a Masters of Library and Information Science, Bachelors in English/Creative Writing, Bachelors in Telecommunication & Film. She has taught Learn to Skate on-and-off since 2016, worked at Disney World for 9 years, 1 year as a school librarian, 5 years at Barr Library on Fort Knox, 1 year at UPS. Stephanie teaches group, singles, introductory ice dance and pairs.
Rate: $30/hr.
Mollie Shapira
Molly has achieved a Gold medal in Skating Skills and Pattern Ice Dance and the Bronze level in singles. Molly is a student at William & Mary College. She teaches group and singles.
Rate: $30/hr.
Evan Whitlow
Evan is a National Juvenile Pairs silver medalist, a Sectional Juvenile Pairs silver medalist, a six-time Sectional competitor and a three-time Regional medalist. Evan is a USFS double gold medalist in Free Skate and Moves in the Field. Evan teaches Basic Skills, Free Skate, Moves in the Field, off ice, off ice harness, and specializes on the pole harness. Evan has earned the rank of Eagle Scout, holds an Airframe and Powerplant maintenance certificate, and placed first in the 2021 USPA Kentucky State powerlifting championship in the 67.5kg class.
Rate: $35/hr.
Ryan Wood
Ryan has achieved the Silver Skating Skills and Pre-Silver Singles levels. He has a High School Diploma and is a certified Personal Trainer though the International Sports Science Association. Ryan also completed the Fundamentals of Coaching course through the Professional Skaters Association. He has professional experience working in customer service and elder care. Ryan coaches group, singles, off-ice jumps and conditioning.
Rate: $30/hr.
LSA Junior Instructors
LSAJunior Instructors are under age 18 and charge $24/hr for private lessons.
- Payton Becker
- Payton has achieved Silver Skating Skills and Pre-Silver singles
502-381-7159 - Aubrey Gildehaus
- Aubrey has achieved the Gold Skating Skills, Gold Pattern Dance and Silver
Singles levels.
502-727-4352 - Madison Hofmann
- Madison has achieved USFS Gold Moves in the Field, Intermediate Freestyle
and Pre
Gold Dance.
502-333-2562 - Sophie Shipley
- Sophie has achieved Pre-Gold Skating skills, Pre-Sliver Dance, and
Pre-Sliver Singles.
502-380-7934 - Eli Shoemaker
- Eli has achieved the Gold skating skills, Juvenile Singles levels and is
working on the Gold dance level.
- Laycee Yang
- Laycee has achieved USFS Gold Moves in the Field, Intermediate Freestyle
and Pre
Gold Dance.
502-224-0363
Off-Ice Instructors
More information coming soon…
Visiting Coaches
Local coaches who teach at other facilities in the area or visiting coaches from out of town who wish to teach on LSAice time must have permission from the LSASkating Director, must show proof of insurance, must have completed the coach registration process with USFS, and must pay an upfront fee in order to teach on LSAsessions.
Certain coaches may be exempt from the upfront fee if approved by the Skating Director. Such exempt coaches would include professionals brought in from time to time to work with many skaters on a specific area such as dance partners or as part of a club-wide special event such as a clinic. Visits from such coaches will be communicated to the entire coaching group by the coaching director or her designee.