Cameron Claire, St. Paul, MN
Maxime Hanssens, Ghent, Belgium
Pauline Irman, Geneva, Switzerland
Alex Martin, Chicago, IL
Elizabeth Misson, Cleveland, OH
Emma Morse, Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada
Laura Pfenninger, Veyras, Wallis, Switzerland
Gillian Robidas, Dover, NH
Peggy Sue Grant, Hutto, TX
Jessica Wasch, Rockville, MD
Cameron Claire (they/them) is a coach and contemporary figure skating artist. They are the AIT MSP Assistant Director and earned their AIT Master Choreography Techniques certification in 2021. Cameron is the 2022 Young Artists Showcase champion, Cameron is a USFS Double Gold Medalist (Moves in the Field, Solo Free Dance), and competed as a member of Team USA in synchronized skating at the Junior level. Cameron also skated on the Hockey Cheerleading Team at the University of Minnesota, where they earned their Bachelor of Arts degree.
“It was wonderful to collaborate with other artists, and to explore how to mindfully incorporate contemporary concepts in traditional teaching spaces.”
Maxime is a choreographer and founder of Max Impact. She is a graduate of Human Movement Sciences.
“The 6-Ways of the Spine course goes beyond improving as a coach or choreographer. Applying 6-Ways means honoring your body, promoting mindful skating, and discovering the beauty at every level while continuing to strive for growth.”
Pauline is a Professional Contemporary Figure skater currently skating with Le Patin Libre. She is a Swiss National Champion and Coach.
“Enrolling in this 6 Ways of the Spine course brought me invaluable tools to improve my body awareness, creativity, and teaching approaches. It also gave me an amazing opportunity to deepen my knowledge regarding contemporary skating in general, which transformed my vision of what I can and want to accomplish on the ice.”
Alex is an on-ice improv enthusiast, professional show skater with companies such as Disney on Ice and Holiday on Ice and a national medalist in ice dance.
“By using movements that are informed by the spine’s anatomy, choreographic possibility expands while ensuring health of the body.”
Elizabeth is a USFS quadruple gold medalist and USFS Level 2 Accredited coach in Theatre on Ice. She is the Theatre on Ice Head Coach & Ice Show Artistic Director at the Cleveland Skating Club.
“AIT’s 6 Ways of the Spine course was instrumental in breaking down the specifics of teaching and executing spinal movement and core body work, specifically tailored to figure skating choreography.”
Emma is a choreographer and coach for all skaters, levels, ages and abilities. She is a Competitive, Recreation and Skate for Life Quadruple Gold test level skater. She is a Past Competitive ice dancer and Adult synchronized skater.
“6 Ways of the Spine is not only a tool for teaching, but a course dedicated to the safe exploration of spinal mobility within skating spaces. As skaters we are asked to have “good posture”, but more recently we are incorporating full body movement in our skating. 6 ways of the spine is a theory, model and practice that gives choreographers, coaches and skaters a deeper understanding of what kind of movement they are trying to express.”
Laura is a coach and choreographer based in Switzlerand and is the founder of “V Leap” an upcoming ice skating ensemble.
“6 Ways of the Spine gave me the opportunity to explore movement more deeply while teaching me how to make it healthy and sustainable for my body. Prioritizing both mental and physical well-being is essential when skating.”
Gillian is the AIT New Hampshire Director, a YAS 2024 Finalist, Professional Skater, Coach, and Choreographer.
“I love that 6 Ways gave me the opportunity to learn about dance and how our bodies move from an incredibly technical perspective. Having always been primarily a skater with not a lot of dance training, I have always craved the opportunity to learn more about this realm. 6 Ways helped me learn and utilize many foundational dance techniques, understand how they work anatomically, and gave me opportunities to explore them on the ice. Moving forward, I feel much more confident in my technical base and excited to keep exploring from there.”
Peggy Sue is an Adult Skater who recently passed her Pre-Silver Skating Skills and working toward more figures, skating skills and free skate tests. She started teaching Learn to Skate through her twin sister and has loved giving back sharing her passion.
“The impact on building core stability “6 Ways” has is what I believe, the best benefit. My favorite ways are Contraction and Upper Back Extension! This course is an eye opener and a game changer when it comes to incorporating movement and fluidity into skating while being able to support and hold the body upright, or down!”
Jessica is a Coach and Former International TOI Competitor. She is now a an AIT Level 2 Certified Choreographer, completing Master Choreography Techniques in Spring 2024.
“By completing the 6 Ways of the Spine course I am now able to teach and correct my skaters positions more effectively so that they are able to achieve sustainability within a sport that takes such a high toll on the body.”