Palisades Skating School

Staff

Coaches:

Emily Alacar
Natasha Cabral
Bruce Fowler
Simona Lee

Ilana Morse
Jonathan Magalnick
Christina Makris
Natalya Polounitcheva

Kaylee Schmidt
Sue Schmidt
Bernard Sokolowski

Kerry Tauken
Lianna Thomas
Marcia Thomas


Administration:

Skating Director:

Christina Makris


ADMINISTRATION


Christina Makris - Skating School Director/Coach

Has been coaching since 1998. Over 25 years of Skating experience and coaching experience. Has been the Skating School Director of the Palisades Center Skating school since 2008. Senior Gold Medalist in moves in the field, Intermediate Freestyle, Intermediate Pairs, & Bronze Dance. 4x Senior National and Eastern Sectional Competitor in synchronized skating. Coach of Regional competitors & have coached skaters from beginner through Senior gold medals in moves in the field and freestyle skating. Assistant coach of a Junior level synchronized team at eastern and Nationals in 2004. USFSA member. Loves to work with skaters of all levels.

Rate:
$45 per half hour
Contact:
845-422-7113

available private and semi private lessons

COACHES


Emily Alacar

Has accomplished Senior Moves in the Field and Novice Freestyle, & Intermediate Pairs.13 years skating experience and 10 years coaching experience. USFSA member, CER Category B

Rate:
$40 per half hour
Contact:
914-924-3303


Jonathan Magalnick

Has accomplished Gold level Ice Dance, Intermediate Freestyle, Novice Pairs, Senior Moves in the Field. Has competed in all disciplines with 10 trips to US Nationals in Ice Dance. 10 years coaching experience.

Rate:
$38 per half hour
Contact:
602-908-2620

Available for semi-privates


Sue Schmidt

Has been coaching since 2005. Primary area of focus includes interacting with beginner skaters, encouraging the love of skating, and teaching ice confidence. Her experience includes basic skills instruction through the freestyle level for skaters of all ages (tot’s-adults) including those with special needs. Available for private and semi private lesions, as well as providing instruction at skating parties and private events.

Rate:
$30 per half hour
Contact:
845-323-7234
Available for semi-privates and parties.


Marcia Thomas

tested on school figures(figure 8s). passed preliminary test. basic skills coach at palisades center rink for 6 years. great with all age groups. worked with physically challenged individuals and got them to enjoy their skating experience. work well with beginners, allowing them to become confident enough to skate on their own within minutes of the first lesson. available for private lessons. 11 years coaching experience.

Rate:
$30 per half hour
Contact:
(h) 845-356-4539
(c) 914-263-9658
thom8marc@msn.com


Bruce Fowler

Bruce brings years of experience in both basic and advance skating and hockey skills. Over 50 years of skating he has advanced through various power skating schools and high level hockey training camps. In Canada, Bruce played hockey with an elit college team [ Humber College] and was a member of the Etobicoke Speed Skating Club. Member of the Professional Skating Association Bruce offers both private and group classes.

Rate:
$40 per half hour
Contact:
845-406-5235


Simona Lee

Has accomplished Senior moves in the Field, Junior Freestyle, Currently a Junior freestyle competitor. Has been a regional competitor, national showcase competitor, and Empire State games Junior silver medalist. Has 11 years of skating experience.

Rate:
$30 per half hour
Contact:
845-548-0100


Kaylee Schmidt

Coaching since 2012 Has 16 years of skating experience, 13 years of synchronized skating experience, including intermediate, junior and open collegiate levels. Competed at NY Empire State Games, Junior World Qualifiers, Regional and U.S. National competitions for synchronized skating. Has passed, Novice Moves in the Field, Preliminary Freestyle and Preliminary Dance. Available for private lessons and birthday parties, great with beginners of all ages and skill levels.

Rate:
$30 per half hour (semi-private +$5/student)
Contact:
914-419-5024
Available for semi-privates


Kerry Tauken

Has been coaching groups and private lessons since 2012. Has accomplished Junior Moves in the field and Junior Freestyle. Competed for 10 years including North Atlantic Regionals ranging from the Juvenile to Junior level. Has 12 years of skating experience. USFSA member. CER certified. Obtained a BA in Biology in 2018 from Dominican University New York. Is currently in the process of obtaining as MS in Occupational Therapy from Dominican University of New York with an interest in pediatric and adolescent populations. Is set to graduate in 2025. Has been coaching the Exhibition Synchronized Skating team since 2015. Great with skaters of all ages and encourages students to have fun while also improving their skills and technique.

Rate:
$35 per half hour (semi-private: $40)
Contact:
845-570-0172


Lianna Thomas

Has accomplished Junior Moves In the Field, Junior Freestyle, & Novice Pairs. 6 years of coaching experience. 3 Time Nationally ranked competitor, 3 time sectional medalist in pairs. 2012 State games of America Gold medalist in Singles. Majoring in pediatric occupational therapy. USFSA member.

Rate:
$30 per half hour
Contact:
845-826-3042


Ilana Morse

Ilana has over 25 years of skating experience and 15 years coaching experience. She is a USFS double gold medalist in Moves in the Field and Ice Dance. She is a Junior National Champion, 4 time Regional Champion, and International competitor in Ice Dance. Currently a Professional Skating Assoc. & USFSA member, CER category A.

Rate:
$40 per half hour
Contact:
845-598-3701


Bernard Sokolowski

Has 12 years skating and hockey experience, including the past 4 years as an instructor for the BUDS4Hockey program with beginners to intermediate levels. Hockey experience includes the West Haverstraw Bricktown Bandits, The North Rockland Youth Hockey Association Red Raiders, The Army Junior Black Nights and for Field Stone Middle and North Rockland High Schools.

Rate:
$30 per half hour
Contact:
845-300-3093


Natalya Polounitcheva

Has been coaching since 1980. Over 40 years coaching experience with skaters of all levels from beginners to high levels .Before arriving to the United States she worked with members of the National team of Belarus. Natalya attended the Academy of Physical Training and Sports where she specialized and learned coaching and physical training techniques. Natalya is qualified and enjoys coaching all levels and ages of skaters.

Rate:
$50 per half hour
Contact:
845-222-4990


Natasha Cabral

Natasha Cabral is a highly dedicated figure skating coach with a passion for nurturing the talents of aspiring skaters. Every skater is unique, and she tailors her coaching approach to bring out the best in every individual. Natasha has over 4 years of skating experience and a year of on ice and off ice coaching since 2022 and is highly committed to helping each skater reach their full potential

Rate:
$30 per half hour
Contact:
914-758-3454

#ncabral