Meet Our Coaches
Calalta Figure Skating Club has a highly qualified team of professional coaches who work together to ensure that each skater achieves personal excellence.
Looking to join our figure skating program? Fill out our coaching request form and read more about how coaches are necessary to skater success in their training.
The Calalta coaching team includes international level coaches in Singles, Dance, and Synchro. All of our coaches have been certified through the National Coaching Certification Program (NCCP) and abide by Skate Canada’s Code of Ethics. In addition, many of our coaches have been trained in Dartfish video technology, an advanced software program that enhances performance analysis.
The Calalta coaching team asks that all skaters and parents adhere to the Skate Canada Code of Ethics and Calalta’s Policies.
Calalta Core Coaches
Jaime-Lyn Jackson – General Manager
[email protected]
| Coach of Sectional, StarSkate, AB Winter Games, and Leading Edge champions and medalists |
| “Disney on Ice” professional skater |
| National Competitive Senior Synchro Skater |
| National Trained Coach |
| Skate Canada Learning Facilitator |
| Skate Canada Program Development Committee Member 2024 |
| Recipient of National CanSkate University Award |
Coaching Area of Interest
FreeSkate and Skills.
Lisa Briggs – CanSkate Coordinator
[email protected]
| Coach of Regional and Sectional Synchro Team medalists |
| 20+ years of coaching experience |
| National Competitive Senior and Junior Synchro Skater |
| Provincial and Regional Competitive Senior and Junior Synchro Gold Medalist |
| BC Winter Games Competitor |
| Regional-level CrossFit Competitor & Certified CrossFit Trainer |
Coaching Area of Interest
FreeSkate, Skills, Dance, and Off-Ice Strength Training and Conditioning.
Kim-Slopak Weeks
[email protected]
| Coached medalists at Skate Canada National Championships |
| Coached Competitive Dance Teams at an international level |
| 33 years of coaching experience |
| Competitive Ice Dance Program Manager |
| Former Senior Competitive Dance National Team Member and International Competitor |
Coaching Area of Interest
Competitive Dance Teams, Dance, Skills, Stroking, and Interpretive Choreography.
Ben Westenberger
[email protected]
| Coached skaters to National medals and ISU Junior Grand Prix events |
| 2011 ISU World Championships Competitor |
| 2011 ISU Four Continents Competitor |
| 9-Time National Competitor in Canada and USA |
| Skate Canada Triple Gold Medalist |
| US Figure Skating Triple Gold Medalist in Ice Dance, Moves in the Field, and Free Dance |
Coaching Area of Interest
All disciplines. Specializes in Ice Dance, Choreography, and Skating Skills.
Alexandra Young Palin
[email protected]
| Principal Performer: “Disney on Ice” – played the role of Barbie with former Calalta skater Eric Palin |
| Principal Performer: Willy Bietak Productions on board Royal Caribbean ships Oasis and Allure of the Seas |
| National Medalist in Pre-Novice and Novice Pairs |
| Junior competitor in Singles and Pairs |
Coaching Area of Interest
Specializes in Pairs, Performance, and Singles.
Donna Hallatt
[email protected]
| Coached skaters to Challenge and National in FreeSkate and Dance |
| 37 years of coaching experience |
| Certified National Coach |
| Placed 4th in Canada at the Canadian Ballroom Championships 2018 |
Coaching Area of Interest
Competitive, FreeSkate, and Technical.
Chantelle Portz
[email protected]
| 27 years of coaching experience |
| National Trained Coach |
| CEP Gold Status |
| Certified CanPower |
Coaching Area of Interest
Competitive, FreeSkate, and Technical.
Daniela Sovak
[email protected]
| National and International Skate Canada Coach with 36 years of experience |
| Chaired the “Learn to Train” stage of Skate Canada Long Term Athlete Development (SC LTAD) |
| Professional Ice Show Soloist and International Competitor |
| Doctor of Natural Sciences with Specialization in Human Growth and Development |
Coaching Area of Interest
Specializes in Beginners to Senior level Competitive in Singles.
Alison Bonney-Gregson
[email protected]
| Certified National Coach |
| 25 years of coaching experience |
| Former Pre-Novice Ladies Champion |
| Passionate about sharing her love and joy for skating with the next generation |
Coaching Area of Interest
Dance, FreeSkate, and Skills.
Andrea St. Cyr
[email protected]
| Coached National Level Synchronized Skating Teams |
| Coached National StarSkate Dance Biathlon and Singles Champions |
| 26 years of coaching experience |
| Certified National Coach |
| Singles, Synchronized Skating, and CanPower Certified |
| National Open Synchronized Skating Champion |
| Theater Calgary Choreographer |
Coaching Area of Interest
All disciplines. Specializes in FreeSkate, Dance, Skills, Artistic, and Synchronized Skating.
Kevin Lee
[email protected]
| Coached competitive skaters in Calgary and Los Angeles |
| NCCP National Coach in Training |
| Alberta Provincial Champion in Men’s Singles |
| Chinese Taipei National Champion |
| ISU Assistant Event Coordinator and Chief Announcer at the 2006 ISU Junior Grand Prix of Figure Skating Final and the 2016 Four Continents Figure Skating Championships |
Coaching Area of Interest
Competitive FreeSkate all levels, Skills, and Dance.
Mercedes Shields
[email protected]
| NCCP Certified Provincial Coach |
| Competitive Singles skater for 10 years |
| Skate Canada Team Alberta member |
| Former Senior Women FreeSkate competitor |
Coaching Area of Interest
FreeSkate.
Natasha Purich
[email protected]
| NCCP Trained Provincial Coach |
| Coaches both singles and pairs |
| Canadian Pairs Alternate for the 2014 Olympic Games |
| Canadian Junior Pairs Champion |
| Junior World Alternate in Singles |
| 2011 Junior Grand Prix Medalist |
| Multiple medals in National Championships in Singles |
Coaching Area of Interest
FreeSkate and Pairs.
Desiree Tytgat
[email protected]
| Coach of Provincial Champions and Medalists in both Competitive and StarSkate streams |
| Coached AB Winter Games, Leading Edge, and Junior Development team athletes |
| Section Level Technical Specialist |
| NCCP National Coach in Training |
| Former “Disney on Ice” Professional Skater |
| Canadian 5-Pin Hall of Fame Coach Inductee |
Coaching Area of Interest
FreeSkate.
legacy coaches
Laurie Finney
[email protected]
| Coach and Trainer of Provincial Champions |
| Coach and Trainer of Divisional, National, and International Medalists |
| Coach of Canada Winter Games Competitors |
| Mentor Coach Level I, II, and III |
| NCCP Certified National Coach |
| 40 years of coaching experience |
| Former Alberta Senior Champion and National Competitor |
Coaching Area of Interest
All disciplines.
Paul Thomas
[email protected]
| Coach of National Medalists |
| Coach of Canada Winter Games Competitors |
| NCCP Certified National Coach |
| 43 years of coaching experience |
| Former World, European, and British Ice Dance Champion |
Coaching Area of Interest
All disciplines.
Greg Folk
[email protected]
| Coach and Trainer of Provincial, Challenge, and National Champions |
| Coach and Trainer of International, Junior World, and World Competitors |
| Certified Corporate Performance Coach |
| 36+ years of coaching experience |
| Master Coach Rating by NCI, PSA(PSGA), and FSCC |
| Skate Canada Triple Gold Medalist |
Coaching Area of Interest
Jump and Spin Specialist.
supplementary coaches
→ Core coaches have right of first refusal for accepting skaters. Supplementary coaches will be offered skaters that cannot be accommodated by a core coach.
| Alexis Willberg | Jessica Behiel |
| Andie Gingrich | Jocelyn Forrester |
| Grace Johnson | Lauren Penman |
| Courtney Sokal | Sarah Nolan |
| Jackson Behiel | Sophia O’Brien-Doerkson |