Meet the Coaches

Jessica Bradley, Skating Director

Jessica began skating at Grand Oaks when she was 7 years old and has loved it ever since. She was a competitive skater until graduating high school and loved performing in the ice shows.  Jessica has been coaching for the Livingston Skate Club for the past 9 years.  She also coached for the Mount Pleasant Figure Skating Club while attending college.  Jessica graduated from Central Michigan University with a Bachelor’s of Science in child development and psychology, and is currently attending Occupational Therapy graduate program at Eastern Michigan University.

Jessica is happy to be a member of this club!

Rachel Chidester

Rachel starting skating at the age of 3 at Grand Oaks, and has been a part of the figure skating club ever since. She began coaching for LSC in 2003 while competitively skating at the Detroit Skating Club. Rachel has completed her Senior Moves in the Field and Freestyle tests and enjoys teaching both. Rachel was also a competitive dancer, and her passion for choreography and artistry has continued to influence her coaching style. She is a current member of the PSA as well as a Learn to Skate Instructor.

Kristen Paulson

Kristen (Roth) Paulson has been coaching figure skating for the past 17 years.  She is a former Senior Pairs National competitor, Jr. World’s Pairs Bronze medalist, Junior Pairs National Silver Medalist, and Novice Pairs National Champion.  She has coached skaters of all levels and ages ranging from beginner to Senior Level in freestyle and moves.  Kristen previously coached at the Detroit Skating Club in Bloomfield Hills, MI, Copper County Figure Skating Club in Houghton, MI, and the Foothills Figure Skating Club in Littleton, Colorado.

Rachael Razor

Rachael Razor is a member of the USFSA and has been teaching for 20 years. She is a USFS certified coach and is qualified to teach all levels of Freestyle, Moves in the Field and Basic Skills. She has taught skaters through Senior Moves in the Field and Novice Freestyle. Rachael was a USFS competitive skater for 10 years and has a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts with a concentration in Graphic Design.

Cindy Roth

Cindy has taught figure skating and hockey skating skills at Grand Oaks for the past 32 years. She also taught Learn to Skate and Junior Club for several years at both the Lakeland Figure Skating Club and Detroit Skating Club (DSC).  Cindy served on the Detroit Skating Club’s Board of Directors and as Secretary for seven years. She served as co-chair for Skate Detroit competition for nine years. Cindy represented DSC at the yearly US Figure Skating Governing Council meeting for five years. Aside from skating, Cindy has over 20 years of dance and choreography experience where she trained in both Michigan and California. She taught dance for Julia Adler Dance Academy, Copper Country Dance Academy, and Diane’s Dance Academy.

Elena Strong

Elena Strong has over 25 years of  skating experience, and over 10 years of coaching experience. Elena’s coaching expertise includes freestyle, moves in the field, choreography, and synchronized skating.  Her coaching highlights include taking skaters through senior moves in the field, founding Rhapsody on Ice ISI Synchronized skating team, taking students to USFS and ISI competitions, private lessons, and learn to skate.  Elena is the current head coach of the Howell High School Figure Skating Team.

As a skater, Elena was an accomplished synchronized skater, and was a member of Team USA 1 (The Haydenettes) in 2002 and 2003, being a part of Team U.S.A for synchronized skating from 1999-2006, and being an eleven time national competitor and seven time national synchronized skating medalist, including three national gold medals. Elena attended The University of Michigan where she was a member of their Senior Synchronized Skating team. She has passed her Senior Moves in the Field, Juvenile Freestyle, and Pre-Gold Dances.

Specialty/ Guest Coach:

Steve Hartsell