Medibank Icehouse Coach Profiles

All figure skating private lessons must be booked through the individual coaches.  Please find their contact details and biographies below. 

Amber Briant - 0421 813 823, amberbriant@hotmail.com

Amber has been involved with ice skating for most of her life and has been coaching for the past 8 years.  Her personal achievements include representing Australia and Germany at the world championships for synchronized skating and Australian Champion in pairs skating.  Amber is trained in classical ballet, tap and jazz and enjoys choreography.   Having spent much time traveling the globe training with some of the worlds best coaches and teams Amber looks forward to developing synchronized skating for Victoria.  Her students in figure skating and synchro have medaled at numerous competitions including state and national level.  Amber is qualified with a degree in Sport and Exercise Science and is available to train skaters off the ice for strength, flexibility, fitness and dance.   Amber has experience working with children of all ages in schools and always aims to challenge children and provide them with a fun and safe environment to learn.  Amber is keen to share her skills, knowledge and love of the sport with up and coming skaters.

Ashley Collins - 0415 126 220, ashleyc36@gmail.com

Ashley Collins is originally from Canada where she trained as a competitive figure skater for over 15 years.  In her time of figure skating, she became an accomplished Gold medalist in Freeskate & Ice Dance recognized by the Canadian Figure Skating Association.  She naturally transitioned into coaching skating in 2005, and with her passion and experience, continues to coach in Melbourne today. 

Dorothy Bisset (is not currently taking new students)

Dorothy Bisset (Smith) is one of Australia’s highest credentialed and most experienced ice skating professionals, both in terms of her personal achievements as a skater, and as a professional ice skating coach and senior national judge.  Dorothy’s achievements as a skater include being two times bronze medalist at the World Professional ice dancing championships (the only Australian to do so), and Australian Professional ice dancing champion. Along the pathway to these successes, Dorothy has been crowned the Australian and Victorian senior and junior ice dancing champion, and as a singles skater the Victorian junior ladies champion and Victorian senior ladies bronze medalist. Dorothy has also attained the somewhat rare distinction of reaching gold medal status in all 3 disciplines of figures, free skating and ice dancing.  At the conclusion of Dorothy’s competitive career she joined the world renowned ice show ‘Holiday on Ice’ and traveled extensively overseas with this famous show. She has also performed in a multitude of professional ice shows here in Australia.  As a professional coach of young skaters, Dorothy’s pupils have won an array of Australian and Victorian titles, from primary level through to novice, junior and senior, in both singles and ice dancing. She has also taken skaters to compete in international competitions. Many of these skaters have continued on to professional careers as ice skating coaches or principle skaters in ice shows around the world.

Karolina Korfanty - 0413 741 672, karolina@bunique.com.au

 

Karolina has been involved in figure skating since she was very young and was trained under Russian, Canadian and American tutorage. She has won many medals, including gold, competing in Ladies Singles, Ice Dance and Artistic divisions both in local and national competitions. Karolina is a Novice Pair skater, a Senior Level Ice Dancer and is currently working towards competinn in Senior Ladies Singles to represent Australia.
She went on to complete a Bachelor of Applied Science (Sport Coaching) at Deakin University which helped broaden her knowledge in biomechanics, sport psychology, motor learning and development, exercise programming & prescription as well as coaching techniques. This all is incorporated into her coaching to make her a developmental and technique specialist coach.  She specialises in on ice technique, off ice development and choreography.
Karolina has a great passion for the sport which is clear when she teaches and she is comfortable working with grass root, national skaters as well as people of all ages. Karolina is a Level 1 Coach (pending Level 2), has Senior First Aid and Working with Children card. She also has been featured in Channel 9 Winter Olympics 2010, ABC “Can We Help?” with Peter Rowsthorn and has done promotional ice shows in Melbourne

 

 

Kristen Avis - 0420 451 428, kristenavis@gmail.com

Kristen was a competitive singles skater in Canada from the age of seven. She trained in Vancouver at the Burnaby 8-Rinks Centre of Excellence with Joanne McLeod and upon retiring, she completed her NCCP Level 1 coaching certification and joined the coaching staff. As a competitor, she achieved her Gold tests in the 3 disciplines of Freeskating, Ice Dance, and Figures/Skills. She was on the Junior National team and competed in Junior Grand Prix international events and several North American Challenge competitions in Canada and the United States. She won Pre-Novice ladies Canadian Championships in 1998, Novice ladies National Championships the following year, and competed in both the Junior and Senior level for several years. She specialized in jumping, speed and power in her skating. She was often a guest skater at training seminars across Canada and at club ice shows in British Columbia. As a coach, she aims to produce a well-rounded skater and excels in off-ice training and jump technique. She has taken her students to competitions across Canada and loves to to pass on her knowledge to younger generations who share her love of skating. 

  

Lee Chaplin - 0458 364 717, lee.chaplin.icehouse@gmail.com

Level 3 Accredited Coach- Australian Coaching Council, Vice President Victorian Coaching Association, 30 Years experience, Professional Show Skater  International and National Shows, Coached and Trained Mariposa Canada, Experienced Coach, Positive and Caring, Coaching Beginner to Elite, all ages catered for, On Ice, Off Ice and Choreography

Philosophy; Create an Environment to Achieve  Your Goals

Working With Children # 0216855801

Mark Hochmann - 0418 591 300, markmer@optusnet.com.au

Mark commenced his ice addiction at the age of 10. His first skate with friends at Ringwood Iceland quickly led to more sessions, lessons, joining the figure skating club and, finally, owning his very own skates! This consigned his mum to many cold early mornings, evenings after school and weekends at the ice rink. No such thing as a climate controlled ice rink back then!  At 16, Mark took up pair skating winning the Victorian Novice Pair Championship and the bronze medal in the National Championship. A swap to ice dance followed and he had found his niche. Over a 10 year competitive career Mark and his partners won 3 championship medals, 4 state championships and 3 National Ice Dance Championships including the 1982 Australian Senior Ice Dance Championship. In 1985 he spent 3 months training with the Canadian National Junior Ice Dance training squad in Toronto returning to win the Victorian Senior Ice Dance Championship in 1986. Mark has the Gold Medal (Test 6) in Compulsory Dance and the Silver Medal (Test 5) in Free Dance.  Mark has performed in all types of amateur and professional ice shows. Amongst these were performances on the Don Lane show, television commercials, touring pantomimes on ice in Melbourne and Sydney, performances on tiny “tank” rinks in shopping centres, Melbourne City Square and the Exhibition Buildings. The highlight of Mark’s performance career was touring Australia as a segment soloist with Torville and Dean in 1984.  Since turning professional in 1987 Mark has coached ice dance and skating technique and still partners his students in ice dance skating tests up to test 6. He has a Level 1 Australian Sports Commission Coaching Accreditation and is an Australian Professional Skating Association approved mentor coach in Ice Dance.  Mark has a degree in applied science majoring in biophysics and instrumental science and master of applied science in research.  When not skating, Mark spends time with his wife and 2 children, working at the Royal Children’s Hospital and indulging in his other winter addiction of skiing.

Svetlana Maskevich - 0400 263 330, smaskevich@bigpond.com

Svetlana Maskevich has been in love with skating for nearly 30 years. Since she was 6 years old, the best coaches in Russia, including Alexei Mishin (coach of three Olympic Gold Medalists) and Tatyana Mishina, helped her to reach gold, silver and bronze medals in a wide variety of International and Russia-wide competitions.   At the age of 17 she found the other love of her career - live theatre - and decided to combine the two.  Her extensive performing career took her around the Globe to countries like Australia, Korea, Japan, South Africa, Singapore, Hong Kong Israel, France, Spain, Germany, England and many others.  Before settling in Australia Svetlana skated as a principal for the Imperial Ice Stars in their productions of Sleeping Beauty on Ice and Swan Lake on Ice. Many people around Australia and around the world enjoyed her performances and the many master classes she gave on behalf of the company.   Svetlana studied coaching at the Saint-Petersburg Academy of Physical Culture and Sport under professor Alexei Mishin. She graduated in 1999 as a Bachelor of Physical Culture and Sport, specializing in Figure Skating and has worked for a number of skating schools in Saint-Petersburg as a coach and choreographer.  Svetlana is excited now to bring her vast skating experience and her academic training as a coach to the Ice House and looks forward to passing on her knowledge to Australian skaters.  Hockey School

 Cameron Medhurst - 0404 168 560 skatecam10@hotmail.com

Cameron is an eight-time Australian Mens Figure Skating Champion who represented Australia at 9 World Championships and 3 Winter Olympic Games (84, 88 and 92). He placed 10th in the World Championships and won medals at international competitions. He has been coaching for almost 20 years in Canada and Australia, with skaters from beginner level to National Competitors. He also specializes in figure skating choreography and travels interstate to develop skaters competitive programs. In recent years he has worked with Winter Olympian Cheltzie Lee and currently choreographs the programs for Senior Mens Champion Mark Webster. Cameron has extensive Ice Show experience having worked with all 3 Major International touring ice show companies over the past 17 years (Ice capades, Disney on Ice, Holiday on Ice). He performed as a principal soloist during this time and more recently in a character/comedy role as principal clown in "Energia" (Holiday on Ice 2008-2011). Cameron is very happy to be back in his hometown and aims to share his knowledge and performance experience with the young talent here in Melbourne to help them realise their full potential. 

Lana Vazhenin 0418 552 292 lana.misha@bigpond.com

Lana Vazhenin has 27 years of coaching experience, 10 yeas in Odessa Olympic Reserve Figure Skating  School in Ukraine. In 1981 she achieved a Masters of Sport in Figure Skating in the USSR. She also graduated in 1985 with a Bachelor of Human Development specializing in ballet and figure skating. Lana is a Level 2 Accredited Coach through the Australian Sports Commission and has extensive experience working with figure skaters coaching students from Beginners through to elite level skaters. Her students have represented Victoria at National level and Australia at International competitions. She enjoys tutoring children and adults and specializes in program choreography, jump and spin technique and skating skills.

Katherine Firkin 0425 774 743 firkink@gmail.com

Katherine is an international Ice Dance competitor and is currently ranked 3rd in Australia.
Among her achievements, she received the silver medal at the 2011 Australian Figure Skating Championships in Senior Ice Dance, and is three times Victorian Senior Dance Champion.
She has represented Australia at three senior international events, including the prestigious Cup of Nice in France.
She has performed in many shows and exhibitions, including the Andre Rieu World Stadium Tour in 2009. She was also requested to skate with Jules Lund in a Getaway Special for Channel 9.
Katherine is also a technical specialists in Victoria.
Since starting coaching in 2009 her students have won both local and interstate events and her choreography has been commended nationally and internationally.
She has a degree in Exercise Physiology, is trained in classical music, and specialises in ice dance and choreography.

Hockey School Coaches:

Matt Armstrong - Canada - Hockey School Supervisor - Matt Armstrong has been playing ice hockey for most of his life.  Hailing from Canada, he moved to Melbourne in 2010 to play for the Melbourne Ice, helping them win the National in 2010 and 2011.  Matt has traveled all over the world playing both amateur and professional competitive ice hockey.

matt.armstrong@icehouse.com.au

Lliam Webster - Australia (Melbourne) - Captain of the 2010 Australian National Champions, Melbourne Ice. Melbourne Ice player, National champion 2011. Australian Men's team player, Division II World Champions 2011.

Michael Castledine - Canada

Tommy Powell - Australia (Melbourne) - Melbourne Ice player, National champions 2010, 2011. Australian Men's team player, Division II World Champions 2011.

Shona Green - Australia (Melbourne) - Melbourne Ice Women's team captian, National champions 2010/11. Austrailan Women's team player 2011.

To contact please email programs@icehouse.com.au 

Schools Programs:

Lachlan Hay - Schools Program Supervisor / Ice Racing Coach

Lachlan has 12years of short track speed skating experience behind him at both a competitive level and coaching level. He was a member of the 2006 and 2010 Australian Winter Olympic team competing, in the men's 5000m relay placing 6th and the men's individual 1000m placing 24th. Lachlan holds several Australian records in the men's individual 1500m and 1000m and 5000m relay. He has assisted the National short-track coach in training some of the finest athletes in Australia.  Lachlan now manages the Schools Program at Medibank Icehouse, teaching ice skating and curling to roughly 600 kids a week. 

To contact please email programs@icehouse.com.au 

Curling:

Brian Morrissey – Curling Coach - Brian has been a keen curler since joining his high school team in year 10.  By year 12 he was “skipping” the team and celebrating their successes in inter-school competitions.  Since school, Brian has been an avid club member; joining the local club in university and in every town that he has lived in.  Before moving to Australia, Brian was particularly known for helping new club members to develop their skills and to enjoy themselves.  Since arriving in Australia, Brian has acquired his coaching qualifications, and looks forward to introducing Australians to the “social” sport of the winter Olympics.

Michelle "Zinny" Zintschenko – Curling Coach - Zinny had never heard of curling until a colleague invited her to Bendigo where a bonspiel (curling competition) was being held. It sounded amusing enough so she went along for a laugh and became hooked on this unique, social sport.  Zinny curls whenever she can - both here and overseas. She is often heard out on the ice excitedly calling out instructions to her team mates in a loud Canadian accent - even though she grew up in Frankston! She is always keen for a game and adaptable at playing and coaching any position on a curling team.  Zinny is a member of the Victorian Curling Association and has held various committee positions over the years. She has instructed adult beginning curlers at various Melbourne ice rinks and taught curling to school groups both here and in Vancouver, Canada.  So far the highlight of Zinny's curling career has been working with the Australian Junior Men's and Women's Curling Teams. She enjoys the challenge of preparing teenagers from sunny Australia for competition against nations where curling has greater prominence in the sporting community.  She has taken teams to Canada, Denmark, China and Japan to compete at an international level. Zinny has even been presented with an Australian Government Sport Achievement Award for her contribution to curling.  With the opening of Medibank Icehouse, Zinny is thrilled at the prospect of introducing more people to the exciting sport of curling!

To contact please email programs@icehouse.com.au