Meet Our Instructors:
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Brooklyn Blades on Ice Directors: GraceAnn Demarest & Elizabeth Misson
GraceAnn and Elizabeth are sisters and have been directors of Brooklyn's Learn-To-Skate Program since 2000.
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GraceAnn Demarest
GraceAnn has been involved in figure skating for more than 30 years. She has been teaching both private lessons and group lessons for 16 years.
GraceAnn was a performer for Disney On Ice for 2 years, along with her husband, Chris, who is also a professional figure skating instructor.
As a competitive skater, GraceAnn has completed both her Gold (Senior) Moves In The Field test, as well as her Gold (Senior) Freeskate test. She is an active member of the Professional Skater's Association. She is also a full-time mom to 3 active kids!
"As a skating coach it is my job to help a student learn proper technique, build upon self-confidence, develop their creativity, and set goals. Whether it is landing their first axel or learning how to glide on one foot across the ice, I love to see a skater accomplish what they have worked hard for."
Email: U2Skate@wowway.com
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Elizabeth Misson
Elizabeth has been involved in figure skating for more than 29 years. She has been teaching both private lessons and group lessons for 14 years.
Elizabeth has achieved Gold (Senior) status in 3 disciplines: Moves In The Field, Freeskating, and Ice Dancing. She is also accomplished her Gold (Senior) Freeskating test in Canada. She is an active member of the Professional Skater's Association.
As a competitive skater, Elizabeth competed Regionally for 13 years, and twice at the National Collegiate Championships.
Elizabeth also works full-time as the News Planning Editor at WEWS TV-5 in Cleveland.
"I love to teach skating for the simple joy of seeing my students learn, progress and have fun! I believe that skating has so much more to offer than gold medals and the lessons that you learn from working hard and striving to achieve your goals are lessons that can be applied to all aspects of life"
Email: elizabeth.misson@gmail.com
 Meredith Daney
Meredith has been involved in skating for the past 26 years. She has been teaching group lessons for 13 years and private lessons for 12 years. Meredith enjoys coaching Moves in the Field, Freestyle, and choreographing programs for her students.
As a skater, Meredith has accomplished her Gold (Senior) Moves in the Field and Gold (Senior) Freeskating Tests.
Meredith is also a Co-Ice Show Director for Brooklyn Blades on Ice (along with directors GraceAnn and Elizabeth).
"Skating has been a passion of mine since an early age and I love sharing it with students of all ages."
Email: sk8diva07@yahoo.com
 Chris Demarest
Chris has been involved in figure skating for more than 22 years. He has been teaching both private lessons and group lessons for 14 years.
Chris was a performer for Disney On Ice for 2 years, along with is wife, GraceAnn, who is also a professional figure skating instructor.
As a competitive skater, Chris has completed both his Gold (Senior) Moves In The Field test, as well as his Gold (Senior) Freeskate test and Novice Free Dance test. Chris competed in the Regional, Sectional, and National Collegiate levels in the Senior Men's division, and both Regionally and Sectionally as a competitive ice dancer. Chris is an active member of the Professional Skater's Association, and a full-time dad to sons Colin and Noah and daughter Natalie.
Email: U2Skate@wowway.com
Heather Galgas
 Cheryl Genda
Cheryl has been teaching both group and private lessons for 13 years. This is her 10th year teaching with Brooklyn Blades on Ice. As a skater, Cheryl has accomplished her Intermediate Moves in the Field, Pre-Juvenile Freeskating and Prelimiary Dance tests. Cheryl still enjoys skating for fun and wishes to take more skating tests in the future.
"I enjoy teaching skating to both children and adults and helping them accomplish their goals. I feel that it is important to have fun and also learn proper technique. Skating is positive activity and is a great way to stay in shape, maintain your overall health and a great way to socialize!"
Email: cherylgenda@gmail.com
 Kacey Gentile
Kacey has passed both the Gold (Senior) Moves In The Field and Freestyle Tests and Silver Dance tests. She has been involved in skating for the past 16 years. She loves skating and enjoys teaching skaters of all ages. Kacey also assists in the choreography of Brooklyn's ice shows and exhibitions.
"I love being able to share my love of skating with others and help them accomplish goals."
Email: icelilly2989@zoominternet.net
 Alexis Hipkins
Alexis has been involved in skating for 15 years and has been teaching for 5 years. She has accomplished her Intermediate Moves in the Field and Juvenile Freeskating tests. Alexis is a graduate of Padua Franciscan High School where she was a member of the High School's skating team. During her years on the the team, they won the State Championships in 2008 and 2010, and finished runner up in 2009. Alexis also assists in the choreography of Brooklyn's ice shows and exhibitions.
"I love teaching in Brooklyn's Learn-To-Skate program. I grew up in the program and it is great to be able to pass on what I have learned through the years. I enjoy working with the kids and teaching the sport that I love."
Email: Sk8tingah@aol.com
 Casandra Hipkins
Casandra has been involved in skating for 13 years and has accomplished her Juvenile Freeskate and Intermediate Moves in the Field. She is a senior at Padua High School and the captain of the state champion figure skating team.
"I love working with children and I am really excited to be working for the program that taught me how to skate!"
Email: bruincheer2013@aol.com
Kim Marshall
 Alexandria Miranda
Alexandria has been involved in skating for 11 years and has been teaching with Brooklyn Blades on Ice for 4 years.
Alexandria has accomplished her Senior (Gold) Moves in the Field and her Senior (Gold) Freeskate tests.
She is a member of the Brooklyn Figure Skating Club and competes at local and regional competitions. She is a Sophomore at John Carroll University. While attending high school at Padua Franciscan, Alexandria participated in their skating team which won the State Championships in 2008, 2010, 2011 and finished runner up in 2009. Alexandria also assists in the choreography of Brooklyn's ice shows and exhibitions.
"I love to see the joy on the children's faces when they learn something new! The Brooklyn Learn-To-Skate program is where I began my skating career and I am thrilled to be given the opportunity to teach my students with the same foundation and enthusiasm that I was given."
Email: icepryncess93@att.net
Michelle Santora
Michelle has been skating for 15 years and has been teaching for more than 9 years. Michelle has accomplished her Preliminary Moves in the Field and her Pre-Preliminary Freeskating tests.
Michelle won a gold medal in her division at the Adult Midwestern Sectional Championships in 2004. She has competed with an Adult Synchronized skating team. While she was on the team, they qualified for U.S. Nationals twice in Synchro adult masters and won a pewter medal.
She has coached skaters that have competed in local basic skills competitions and has also coached a Basic Skills Synchronized team.
"I love sports, skating in particular, and I love to see kids involved in positive, healthy endeavors that help them grow and stay out of trouble. I love to see the sense of accomplishment when a new skill is learned, especially when they didn't think they could do it."
Email: Miala99@aol.com
 Eric Schroyer
Eric is a U.S. National Medalist, A 3-time U.S. National Team Member, and a U.S. National Collegiate Champion.
Eric has been coaching Private Instruction to skaters since 1998. He is an active, rated Member of the Professional Skaters Association.
"I enjoy passing on the love I have of skating to others. Skating is a very freeing feeling. There's nothing like it in the world. It teaches individuals the value of hard work, determination, patience, focus, and dedication.
These are all very important life lessons that will be key ingredients to success in life."
Email: EricSchroyer@hotmail.com
 Kelly Smalley
Kelly has been involved with skating for 22 years. While skating competitively and testing, she achieved the Senior Moves in the Field and Senior Freestyle tests. Kelly has taught group lessons since 2003 and private lessons since 2004. In addition to teaching skating, Kelly is a high school English teacher.
"Teaching skating is a rewarding experience for me because I have the opportunity to help children develop, not only as a skater, but as a creative, determined individual."
Email: Kellysmalley630@gmail.com
Natascia Zullo
For a complete list of group lesson instructors available for private instruction, please see Elizabeth Misson or GraceAnn Demarest.
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