COACHES

MEET YOUR MSA

OUR COACHES

At MSA, we believe that all athletes should have access to competitive level coaching and knowledge. Coaching that is able to provide you with the tools and skills to be successful in sport. We are very dedicated to sharing our knowledge throughout the coaching and skating community. We strive to instill work ethic and drive into athletes to create a sense of pride and determination in the development process.

Calendar of Classes

(just make sure you're looking at the correct calendar for your skating level)

STAR 5 /PRE-JUVENILE/JUVENILE LEVEL

NOVICE - SENIOR LEVEL

Andrew Evans

National Coach Certified, Chartered Professional Coach

With 8 years of competitive coaching experience, Andrew brings his vast knowledge of both singles and pair disciplines to his everyday coaching. Andrew focuses on jump technique and fundamental skating skills for athletes from Learn-to-Skate to the International level. Andrew was selected by Skate Canada and Team Canada as one of the two team coaches at the 2020 Youth Olympic Games in Lausanne, Switzerland. Andrew was selected by Skate Canada to participate in the 2019 International Coach Apprenticeship Program (ICAP) to enhance the development and learning of Skate Canada coaches.

Paul Parkinson

National Coach Certified, Olympian

With 6 years of competitive coaching experience, Paul brings the highest level of jump technique to athlete’s on-ice and off-ice jumps. Paul competed at the 2014 Olympic games in Sochi, Russia in both the men’s singles and team event. Through the use of his own personal experience, Paul builds jump technique for skaters from Learn-to-Skate to the International level. Paul was selected by Skate Canada to participate in the 2020 International Coach Apprenticeship Program (ICAP) to enhance the development and learning of Skate Canada coaches.

Laurisa Wyant

National Coach Trained

Laurisa brings 5 years of competitive coaching experience with her to the team. She integrates her passion for figure skating to both her on-ice and off-ice lessons. She specializes in on-ice spin technique and off-ice flexibility training. Laurisa works with athletes of all levels, from Learn-to-Skate to International competitors, on the fundamentals of their spins and skating skills.

Alex Sheldrick

Provincial Coach Trained

Alex brings 10 years of competitive coaching along with 3 years of performing professionally all over the world, with Disney on Ice, to the team. He has a love of the sport which is evident in his coaching. Alex specializes in on-ice harness work and pair skating, as well as artistic performance and off-ice fitness. Alex works with all skaters from Learn-to-Skate to International level athletes.

Alexis Weiland

Professional Ballet Instructor

Alexis' passion for teaching goes beyond the syllabus and steps of ballet. She has taught for over 25 years with the Associate and Professional programs at Canada's National Ballet School, Bachelier Academy of Dance, Clarke Academy of Dance, and Element Dance Arts. In 2017 she opened her own studio, Dionne Dance Academy Inc. and has continue to empower her students to develop a better understanding of the mechanics that surround the movements of ballet to ensure a healthy practice and clean technique. She utilizes over 20 years of dance training and the knowledge gained from courses covering anatomy, body conditioning, child psychology, dance history and music theory to give each student an enriched learning experience. 

Alexis graduated as valedictorian from the Canada's National Ballet School's Teacher Training Program, achieved her Registered Teacher's Status with the Royal Academy of Dance, her Associates with the Cecchetti Society of Canada, her Yoga Teacher Certification with the Canadian Yoga Alliance and her Teachers Certification with Progressing Ballet Technique. As a dancer Alexis has completed her Cecchetti Advanced 2 exam, her Royal Academy Advanced 2 exam and her International Society of Dance National Advanced 1 exam.

Tigran Arakelyan

National Coach Certified

World and European competitor

Tigran is a national level coach who has a wealth of experience from training and competing in so many different countries over his skating career. Tigran has participated in both the World Championships and the European Championships. Tigran has over 25 years coaching experience of all levels, from learn to skate all the way to senior.

OUR PROGRAM

SUCCESS AT MULTIPLE LEVELS

Our coaches and program have developed champion level athletes at all levels of skating.

Participants have competed in all levels of competition including regional, provincial, national, and international.

As a team, we work not only to train one's mastery of the sport and physical fitness, but to install transferrable life skills as well. Discipline and work ethic are among the skills we hope will help athletes throughout their entire lives.