Meet the Team
The rink offers private lessons and Learn to Skate instruction delivered by a team of on-ice coaches. These instructors work with skaters of all ages and levels to build basic skills, confidence, and technique. Coaches typically include local instructors Allison, Alice, Alec, Anna, Dani, Emily, Finn, Lydia, Olga Starkova-Rielly, Rachel, Sarah, and Sofia all led by our lead instructors Anthony and Ruth — all of whom serve as private instructors and Learn to Skate (LTS) coaches at the rink.
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To contact a coach today for private instruction, press the contact button at the bottom of the coaches bio. Not all instructors are available for private instruction. Customer shall pay the instructor in addition to paying the rink for ice time.
Ruth Aquino
Lead Instructor
Bio coming soon!
Anthony Darnell
Lead Instructor
Bio coming soon!
Allison Bengfort
Instructor
Bio coming soon!
Alice Leask
Instructor
With three years of experience as a substitute teacher in the Camas School District, primarily working with grades K–8, I bring a strong background in education and student support to my coaching. I have extensive experience working with students on the autism spectrum, including non-verbal learners. I graduated from Reed College in 2022 and am a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community. Skating since 2008, I am a U.S. Figure Skating Gold Medalist in Moves in the Field and hold a Novice Free Skate test. I have over ten years of competitive experience in Women’s Singles, competing at both the local and regional levels. I am a certified U.S. Figure Skating Learn to Skate instructor and have coached at the Lloyd Center Ice Rink since 2019, with more than five years of experience as a coaching assistant. I am currently accepting students of all ages and skill levels and am committed to fostering a supportive, inclusive, and positive skating environment.
Alec Schmitt
Instructor
Alec has over ten years of coaching experience specializing in singles, pairs, and pole harness for competitive skaters. He enjoys developing skaters of all ages from foundational levels through national pathways. His coaching background includes preparing skaters for the U.S. Pair Final, Excel Nationals, Thailand Nationals, and many others in the Excel and National Qualifying Series tracks. Alec started skating in the Seattle area in 2004 at the age of 7 shortly after the local rink opened. After attending a public session, his parents enrolled him in the rink’s Learn-to-Skate program. Less than a year later, he was registered for his first competition. As a singles skater, he advanced to the Senior level before making the switch to pairs. Those first steps on the ice eventually led all the way to the 2018 US Figure Skating Championships where he and his partner placed 6th in the Novice Pairs division finishing just shy of the podium. Most recently, he won both the 2025 US Adult National Championships and the 2025 ISU Adult competition in Oberstdorf, Germany for Masters Elite pairs. Alec holds a Bachelor’s in Business Administration with an Accounting focus from the University of Washington. (360) 981-1137 alechschmitt@gmail.com sk8coachalec.wordpress.com
Anna Olson-Voss
Instructor
Bio coming soon!
Dani Sabourin
Instructor
Bio coming soon!
Emily Wong
Instructor
Bio coming soon!
Finn Constantine
Instructor
Finn is currently studying biochemistry at Portland State University, with prior coursework completed at Reed College (2023–2024). Skating since 2017, I hold Silver Skating Skills (previously Novice Moves in the Field) and am a certified U.S. Figure Skating Learn to Skate instructor. I have been coaching since 2022 and am accepting students of all levels. I especially enjoy working with adults and individuals on the autism spectrum, focusing on supportive and individualized instruction. Aside from coaching, I am actively working toward completing my Pre-Gold and Gold Skating Skills. As a transgender athlete and coach, I am committed to fostering a diverse, inclusive, and uplifting skating community where everyone feels welcome and empowered on the ice.
Lydia Finch
Instructor
Bio coming soon!
Olga Starkova-Rielly
Instructor
Olga learned how to skate in former Soviet Union and got to USFSA equivalent of Junior level. USFS Adult Silver (Singles), Pre-Silver level in Ice Dancing. ISI and USFSA certified. Over 20 years of teaching experience. Accepts all levels, ages, and abilities. Has a lot of experience teaching young children and adults. Coached adult team that placed 3rd at ISI Adult national Championships. Rate: $40 for 30 minute lesson, $80 and hour. Same rate for a semi-private lesson for 2 students of the same level. Contact: 503-502-4580
Rachel Ferris
Instructor
Bio coming soon!
Sarah Autry
Instructor
I have been in the world of figure skating for 35+ years and have been teaching for about 25 years. I am a triple Gold Medalist in Moves in the Field, Freestyle, and Ice Dancing (Compulsory Dances). I am also a former National Competitor in Ice Dancing and Synchronized Skating, a Sectional Competitor in Figures, and a Regional Competitor in Freestyle. In addition to training competitively in several disciplines of figure skating, I trained in Ballet (en pointe), Lyrical Jazz, Tap Dancing, Modern, African, and Ballroom Dancing. I teach all ages and levels and specialize in Figures, Moves in the Field, Freestyle, Ice Dancing, and Choreography. I have coached figure skaters to the podium at international events and coached elite-level skaters to medal at local, state, and regional competitions. In addition to my figure skating background, I am a mother of five children, an Emergency Medical Technician (EMT-Basic), and a mentor for STEM students at Portland State University. I am currently a senior at Portland State University, double-majoring in Science and Biology and minoring in Public Health. RATE: Please Contact for more information Contact: 503-380-7338
Sofia Mindra
Instructor
Bio coming soon!