Figure Skating Director

Natasha Kuchiki
Figure Skating Director
natasha@sugarlandice.com

• 1992 Winter Olympics ~ Team USA  ~6th place ~Pairs
• 1991 World Championships Bronze Medalist~Pairs 
• 1991 U.S. National Champion ~Pairs
• 1990-1992 World Championships ~Team U.S.A.​
• 1990-1992 International Competitor~ Team U.S.A.​
• 6 time US National Championships medalist in Pairs
• 4 time US National Championships Competitor Ladies  Singles : Novice, Junior & Senior levels, including
​U.S. National Championships Pewter medalist in Novice Ladies

• 20+ years of Coaching experience
• 21 year veteran of Professional Ice Shows 
• Skate Sharpening and Maintenance
• Coaches All Ages.All Levels.Email:   natashakuchikiskating@gmail.com
   

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Coaching Staff Below in Alphabetical Order:

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Candy Aylor-Morris
candiceray@aol.com

Candy has dedicated most of her life to figure skating. She started skating when she was 3 years old. Working her way up by the early 1970’s, She competed at US Figure Skating Championships twice in Junior Ladies.

Candy has coached several skaters to Nationals both as a coach and as a choreographer. Over her 40+ years of coaching, she has also led many skaters through their Gold Test in Moves in the Field, Free Skate, Free Dance, and Figures disciplines.

She has also choreographed shows and productions, judged internationally, and was a Technical Specialist.  Thus, Candy has been on “all sides of the rink”, as a competitor, a coach, a judge, and a competition official, throughout her skating career.
Now at Sugar Land, Candy uses her over six decades of experience in the skating world to inspire and motivate the next generation of skaters.

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Mandy Benavides
mandy.benavides.fsc@gmail.com

I started skating when I was 7 years old and skated competitively until I was 18. I skated on the local Theater on Ice team for 7 years and competed with them nationally and internationally.  I have taught all levels of Learn to Skate and have been coaching for 16 years. I directed the yearly Christmas show for the past 3 years. I was one of the original coaches for Skate Therapy and was recognized by US Figure Skating for my work with blind skaters. I coached/choreographed several programs for Skate Therapy, that the skaters performed at their annual gala. I have also played on several hockey teams and have played in several adult leagues. I have been coaching hockey power skating and skills for the past 4 years.
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I currently work full time at Houston Methodist hospital in one of the outpatient clinics and have been working in the medical field for 10 years.

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Daniel Chambers
danielchambersfsc@gmail.com

Daniel has 20 years competitive skating experience.
He is a former competitive novice singles skater, and sectional level ice dancer.​

Dan is very good at breaking down difficult concepts and simplifying them for children, teens and adults.

• Team USA Theatre Team at Nation's Cup- Assistant Coach
• 10+ Years Coaching
• Teaches Singles & Moves in the field 
• Teaches Ice Dance & Partner Testing Prop
• Fishpole Harness Figure skating Jump Lessons 
• Coaches All Ages. All Levels

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Bonny Cole
macey9880@aol.com

BIO

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Kitty Carruthers Conrad
misskitty84@msn.com

• 1984 Olympic Silver Medalist
• 4 time US National Pairs Champion
• 12 years starring with Ice Capades and Stars on Ice
• Member of the United States Figure Skating Hall of Fame

• 25+ years teaching skating in Sugar Land

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Lisa Dahl
coachlisadahl96@gmail.com

Gold Medalist in Moves in the Field
USFS and Canadian Gold Medalist in Ice Dancing
Silver Free Dance/Intermediate FS
PSA Senior Rated in Synchro & PSA Ranking IV
 Education – Western Michigan University

• Bachelor of Arts in Public Relations & Journalism

Skating and Coaching Experience

• National and International synchro coaching experience & national competitor
• Has directed spring shows and coached in the Nutcracker
• Founder of Houston Elite synchronized skating team
• Consultant to Houston Ice Theatre Skaters (HITS) 
• 22+ years coaching experience

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Gillian Gonzalez
gilliemichelle@gmail.com

Gillian has lived in Houston, Texas all her life, where she has skated competitively and professionally for 22 years. While maintaining her skating life, she graduated with a Bachelors Degree in Kinesiology and became a NASM certified personal trainer. She took her skating to another level, traveling with various shows, including Disney on Ice, and performing in both singles and pair skating. To expand on her knowledge and experience even further, Gillian took on several Principal and Headliner show roles with Paul Schatz, while also being in a leadership position and choreographer on her most recent tour.
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• -USFS Triple Gold Medalist
•  3 Year Disney on Ice Performer
•  NASM CPT
•  2013 & 2015 USFS Collegiate Junior Medalist

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Sarah Hollister
shollister96@gmail.com
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I have over 10 years of coaching experience working with skaters of all ages and levels. I have taught skaters from their very first steps on the ice to competing at local competitions, performing in ice shows, and passing USFS tests. My primary goal is to create a hard-working, positive, and fun environment for skaters of all ages and levels to pursue their love of skating.

• USFS Double Gold Medalist- FreeSkate & Moves in the Field
• Adrian College Varsity Figure Skating & Synchronized Skating Teams 2014-2018 - Four time Intercollegiate Midwestern Conference Champion, Intercollegiate National medalist, National Synchronized Skating Collegiate Championships Competitor
• Professional Ice Show Experience- Rosstyn Ice Shows: Christmas on Ice - 2019
• Director of SLICE Nutcracker on Ice 2019
• Coach of Houston Elite Synchronized - 2019- Present
• Bachelors in Business Administration with a focus in Sports Management and minor in Public Relations - Summa Cum Laude - 2018​

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Elena Kandourova
icelena9@gmail.com
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I was born in Ukraine, then our family moved to Russia. I graduated high school, then I studied in college. I have a master's degree in economics and in jurisprudence.

​I've been skating for more than 10 years. It was my hobby, but it turned into something more and completely changed my life for the better. I worked as a coach in Russia for about two years. After coming to Houston in 2013, I worked as an assistant on our wonderful ice rink, in 2016 I got a job as a coach.

I love my work very much, I like to see how students achieve the goals with my help. Figure skating is a great sport. We will be very happy to see you at our ice rink and will do our best that you and your children will love this wonderful sport!

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Jackie Nguyen
jlnguy20@yahoo.com 
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 Jackie has been skating for more than 20 years and teaching here for at least 10 years. She has a gold medal in Singles, Field Moves and Ice Dance. She also has completed all of the International Ice Dance tests; A very rare accomplishment. She has passed more tests (50) than any other member in the history of the Texas Gulf Coast Figure Skating Club.
Jackie competed in Singles skating, going to Jr. Nationals as an Intermediate in 2005, and Sectionals in Senior Ladies in 2009. She is energetic and thorough with beginners and extremely motivating and knowledgeable with advanced skaters.
Her B.A. from the University of Houston has helped her become a good communicator with the parents of her skaters.

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Igor Petrov
igoriyok2011@gmail.com 
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BIO

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Hannah Pfeifer
hannahlpfeifer@gmail.com 
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Hannah recently moved to Houston after graduating Cum Laude from Miami University with a bachelor's degree in East Asian Studies and International Business. She started skating when she was 4 years old and has spent many years competing, performing in local ice shows, and also has some judging experience. When she isn't coaching, she works full-time in marketing and likes to spend time with friends and staying active. She believes skating has taught her many important life lessons and values, such as hard work and self-motivation, and is passionate about helping her students reach their personal skating goals and develop confidence through the sport as well. 
- Quadruple Gold Medalist in MIF, Ice Dance, Free Dance, and Solo Free Dance
- 2009 Eastern Sectionals Champion in Ice Dance
- 2012 U.S. Nationals Competitor in Ice Dance 
- 2015 Intercollegiate National Champion in Pre-Juv Freestyle
- LTS Coach since 2013
- Choreographer for SLICE Nutcracker on Ice 2019

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Emily Rausa
emilyjma@gmail.com
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Figure skating taught me self discipline, perseverance, and has given me a sense of accomplishment. My goal is to pass along my love for skating with effective, strategic lessons with fun and enthusiasm. I am also a certified teacher with extensive experience working with children, and currently work full time at a local middle school. I understand the learning process and that each learner requires unique instruction and approach. I am also fluent in conversational Mandarin Chinese. 

• Ice skating instructor at Sugar Land Ice 2004-Present
• State certified classroom teacher 2005-2014
• State certified school librarian 2014-Present
• USFS Adult Gold Medalist in Freeskate and Moves in the Field
• BA in English Literature with teacher certification, University of Houston, 2005
• MS in Library Science, Texas Woman's University, 2015
• MS in Kinesiology with focus on coaching, Texas Woman's University

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Lisa Rollinson
lmrolly@yahoo.com

Lisa grew up in Los Angeles California, and competed as an amateur through the senior ladies level in the Regional & US Sectional Championships. She is a USFS Double Gold Medalist.
As a professional she joined the Ice Capades and performed throughout the world.

She has taught in Houston and the surrounding area for 25+ years, taking athletes to regional competitions, producing all levels from Pre-Preliminary to Senior, moves in the field and freeskate.

She has participated in choreography of Nutcracker on Ice in Sugar Land to choreography of the Galleria Christmas Tree lighting show in Houston.

Lisa has a 17yr old daughter in High School, she is a varsity swimmer. Her 19yr old daughter is an Academic All American and currently swimming at U of H on an athletic scholarship.

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Paul Schatz
thegoodfellas0222@gmail.com

Paul has spent most of his 23 years of skating in Ellenton, Florida, where he trained competitively in both singles and pairs. Skating with his first partner, they qualified for the Canadian National Championships in 2010. Paul would then compete three more times for U.S. National Championships in both the Junior and Senior level. By 2016, Paul decided to transfer his efforts and experience from competitive skating to performing professionally for Disney on Ice for the next four years. After reprising many familiar lead characters, he transitioned into Headliner/Principal pair roles with his fiance, Gillian Gonzalez, working for Ice Creative Entertainment for two seasons. Paul is very thankful and honored to be a Private Coach here at Sugar Land Ice to educate all levels and types of skating on and off the ice.
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- USFS Triple Gold Medalist in Moves in the Field, Freeskate, and Pair Skating
- 4 Year Disney on Ice Performer
- 2-Time Headliner/Principal for Ice Creative Entertainment
- 2013-15 U.S. National Championships Pairs Competitor
- 2014 Salt Lake International Classic Pewter Medalist in Pairs
- 2010 Canadian National Championships Novice Pair Competitor
- Former Team USA member

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Igor Strelnikov
iceigor13@gmail.com

I was born and raised in Russia, and have been engaged in figure skating for more than 35 years. I Graduated College of Olympic Reserve with a specialty (figure skating coach). 
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I have worked in many ice shows, in Russia, England and USA. The most memorable was the Disney on the Ice, where I had the role of Aladdin.

Figure skating is a complex and very beautiful sport; I'm happy to help you gain confidence and grace on the ice.​

• Cup of Russia Champion, 1990, Senior level
• Specializes in Figure skating Jump harness, Jump Technique, Spins & Moves in the field
• Hockey Power Skating private lessons

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Sarah Sturdy
sarahsturdyusfs@gmail.com

Sarah has been skating and trained at Sugar Land Ice and Sports Center for close to 20 years and was a USFS competitor until she was 18 years old. She has competed both nationally and Internationally and has skated singles, pairs, and Theatre on Ice. In 2019, Sarah graduated from University of Houston with a bachelors degree in American Sign Language Interpreting with a minors in Speech Pathology. When she is not coaching, she works full time for FBISD in Special Education. Her aim is to pass on the love and passion for figure skating to all that she works with and help her students succeed their personal goals with the sport. 

-USFS Gold Medalist in Moves in the Field
-2013 Team USA Theatre on Ice competitor 
-2012-2013 Theatre on ice team captain
-2009 Jr. National Pairs competitor 
-LTS coach 4 years

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Shanyn Vallon

shanynv@gmail.com

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