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.
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
Coach Ruth is a USFS double gold medalist, pre-gold ice dancer, senior regional champion, and senior sectional competitor with over 35 years of coaching experience. She specializes in figures-freestyle, moves in the field, power skating, and show production, bringing a strong technical foundation together with creative performance skills. Ruth has successfully coached recreational skaters, regional competitors, and adult national athletes, and is a proud member of U.S. Figure Skating (USFSA), the Professional Skaters Association (PSA), and Learn to Skate USA. She holds PSA ratings in figures-freestyle, moves in the field, and group instruction coach. Ruth enjoys teaching all ages and abilities, offering both private and semi-private lessons, and believes that with the right guidance, skating can be enjoyed for a lifetime.

Anthony Darnell
Lead Instructor
Create a bio for coach Anthony: 4 time U.S. Nationals competitor, 4 time U.S. Nationals coach, 1991 U.S. Nationals bronze medalist, toured two seasons with "the nutcracker on ice" theatre tour. 21 years teaching experience

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Instructor
Bio coming soon!

Alice Leask
Instructor
Alice has been skating since 2008 and is a gold medalist in Moves in the Field with a Novice-level Free Skate. Alice brings 10 years of competitive experience in women’s singles, having competed at both local and regional levels. Alice is a certified USFS Learn to Skate USA instructor and has been coaching at Lloyd Center since 2019. Before that, Alice spent over five years as a coaching assistant. Alice is currently accepting students of all ages and levels, from brand-new skaters to those pursuing testing and competition. Outside the rink, Alice has three years of experience as a substitute teacher in the Camas School District, primarily working with grades K–8. Alice has worked extensively with students on the autism spectrum, including non-verbal students, and brings a patient, individualized approach to every learner. Alice graduated from Reed College in 2022 and is a proud member of the LGBTQ+ community, committed to creating an inclusive and welcoming environment for all skaters and families.

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
Hi, I’m Coach Dani. I am a patient, intentional, and strict (but still fun) coach who believes that strong fundamentals are the foundation of confident, lifelong skaters. Every skill a skater learns is built on the one that came before it, so I focus on doing things the right way from the very beginning. If your child wishes to gain a strong love of skating, real confidence, and a sense of pride from overcoming adversity, then I may be the coach for you. Skating & Coaching Experience: *30 years of figure skating experience *10 years of competitive figure skating *USFSA tested – Novice level *6x regional competitor *2nd place at National Showcase (2006) *7 years of coaching experience *Skilled at coaching all ages, from young beginners to advanced skaters Coaching Style: *Patient, clear, and fundamentals-focused *Intentional lesson planning with step-by-step progressions *High expectations with a positive and encouraging approach *Emphasis on confidence, resilience, and pride in hard work More About Me: *Played and coached roller derby for 4 years *Founded a junior roller derby league for ages 8–17 *Mom of three teenage boys *Member of the LGBTQ+ community *Currently a law student *On and off the ice, I care about helping skaters become not just better athletes, but more confident, capable people. Contact: Email: skatecoachdani@gmail.com Phone: 405-615-7404

Emily Wong
Instructor
Coach Emily has over 10 years of figure skating experience, competing as an intermediate/novice level skater and silver level ice dancer. She is the recipient of the 2013 Portland Ice Skating Club Kacey Yorseen Artistic Award, recognizing her creativity and performance quality on the ice. Emily’s competition background includes being a National Showcase competitor (2019), regional championship competitor, and Solo Dance Series competitor, giving her a strong understanding of both performance and technical demands in the sport. Beyond skating, Emily brings a wide range of skills to her coaching. She is CPR and First Aid certified, has worked as a swim instructor and lifeguard, and also teaches golf. She is an intermediate ballet and hip-hop dancer, which helps her teach musicality, body awareness, and artistic expression on the ice. Emily began coaching at Lloyd Center Ice Rink in 2017 and also has over two years of experience as a coach assistant at another rink. She is a certified U.S. Figure Skating Learn to Skate instructor and a member of U.S. Figure Skating and the Portland Ice Skating Club. Emily is accepting students of all levels, from brand-new beginners to more experienced skaters, and enjoys working with both children and adults. Her broad background in sport, dance, and safety helps her create lessons that are fun, supportive, and focused on each skater’s personal goals.

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
Coach Lydia is a six-time regional champion, four-time sectional competitor, USFSA gold medalist, and U.S. Figure Skating Jump Combine invitee. From 2014–2017, she trained at the Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs and is also a Broadmoor Open medalist. Her high-level competitive background and technical jump expertise shape her coaching approach on the ice.

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.

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.

Sofia Mindra
Instructor
Hi! My name is Sofia, and I’ve been in love with figure skating since I first stepped onto the ice at five years old. Now 20, my goal is to share that same spark with the next generation of skaters. I am a certified USFS Learn to Skate USA instructor who truly loves working with kids and helping them find their "ice legs" for the first time. My coaching is rooted in technical precision as I hold numerous Moves in the Field certificates with Distinction. I believe every lesson is an opportunity to build confidence and a lifelong love for skating. I am currently accepting new students for private lessons and would love to help you or your child develop strong fundamental skills! To get started, please reach out to me at sofiamindra@gmail.com
