Kayla Hammond

Operations Director And Head Coach 

Hi! My name is Kayla Hammond, I have always had a deep passion for coaching and working with students. I have been coaching with Southern Valley Skating Club since 2006. I am currently the Operations Director for Southern Valley and also coach private and group lessons of all levels.  I love seeing the different potential in every skater and helping them see it in themselves. I like to push my students to reach their own personal goals all while having fun!

Contact: coachkayla@svfsc.org

Private lessons coach - Learn To Skate and Advanced 

Currently taking new private lesson students: YES

Heather Awender

Learn To Skate USA Director And Coach

I have been skating since I was 5, which basically means I grew up in skates. From jumps to spins and the occasional epic wipeout, I fell in love with everything skating has to offer—and never looked back. With over 14 years of coaching experience, I have worked with skaters of all ages, from wobbly first-timers to fierce competitors ready to slay at competitions. I believe skating should be equal parts of hard work and fun. My greatest coaching experience was a year spent living abroad coaching skaters of all levels in Osby, Sweden! Tests Passed – Gold Skating Skills, Silver Singles, Bronze Ice Dance Tests Plus Fourteen step and Foxtrot.

Katie Rauber

Assistant LTS Director & Coach 

As one of the first members of Southern Valley Figure Skating Club, I have been active in skating for 40+ years in some capacity or another. I represented SVFSC for most of my competitive skating career and started my coaching career in the first apprenticeship program offered by SVFSC. This taught me the fundamentals of teaching that helped coach, guide and build a successful skating school in Brookings, SD, Huron, SD and Watertown, SD. I've also judged Leap N' Compete competitions for SVFSC for several years. Skating, in all forms, is a rite of passage for so many people in the area and I am happy to be a small part of keeping the tradition alive by offering lessons to those who want to learn.

Contact: katie.rauber@gmail.com

Private lessons coach - Learn To Skate and Advanced 

Currently taking new private lesson students:  YES

Bethany Rausch

Camp Director & Coach 

I began skating with SVFSC at the age of four and trained with the club for 14 years before transitioning into coaching. I have been a coach for the past six years and currently serve as SVFSC’s Camp Director. In this role, I organize and lead the camp program and teach both group and private lessons throughout the season.

I enjoy working with skaters who are motivated to learn and challenge themselves. It's rewarding to watch students grow in confidence, refine their technique, and achieve new milestones on the ice. My goal as a coach is to create a positive, encouraging environment where skaters feel supported as they develop their skills and passion for sport. 

Contact:  bethanyrausch95@gmail.com

Private lessons coach - Learn To Skate, Skating Skills

Currently taking new private lesson students:  YES

Cortney Mann

Dance Coach & Private Lesson Coach 

Hi! My name is Cortney Mann. My lifelong passion for skating started when I was three years old. I started competing when I was five and continued until I was 18 years old. I achieved my Gold Dance in 8th grade as well as one International Dance. I passed my Silver Partnered Free Dance, Silver Free Skate as well as Silver Figures. Prior to coming back to skating I coached hockey for 15 years on top of many other sports over a 25+ year time frame. I spent my skating career with Red River Valley FSC and spent my summers living with billet families starting at the age of 8. I love being able to share my skating with others and push my students to achieve their goals.

Contact: cortneymann216@gmail.com

Private lessons coach - Ice Dance 

Currently taking new private lesson students: YES

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Maegan Bellmore

LTS Group Coach and Private Lesson Coach

Hi! My name is Maegan Bellmore. I have been coaching with SVFSC for eight years! I am currently coaching Learn to Skate Hockey classes with the club!! I enjoy getting to know each skater and having a fun time developing new skills during lessons! 

Private lessons coach -  LTS Hockey of all ages

Currently taking new private lesson students: YES

Miah Schmidt

Dance Coach 

Hi! My name is Miah Schmidt. I have loved skating since the moment I stepped on the ice at the age of 5. I am currently a freshman in college, I am attending the Minnesota Community and Technical College in Fergus Falls. I started coaching as a sophomore in high school in the season of 2020-2021. I have coached both learn to skate group lessons and private and this year I will be starting to coach advanced. I am a triple gold medalist which includes; moves in the field, ice dance, and solo free dance. I have passed two international dances on top of the gold dances, which will be the main thing I coach but I can coach pretty much anything. I still skate for myself as I have passed Intermediate freeskate and am working on Novice. I have always loved working with kids and helping them achieve their goals, it's always great to see how much they improve!

Contact: miahschmidt04@gmail.com

Private lessons coach - Advanced and Dance

Currently taking new private lesson students: YES

Madison Yaggie Schuler

LTS Group and Private Lesson Coach

Figure skating is more than a sport—it is a wonderful community. Ice skating builds confidence, discipline, and life skills, and it can be a lifelong activity. I am passionate about teaching skaters solid foundations, whether they are beginners exploring the ice or adults learning a new skill. Skating has been a central part of my life since childhood, and I am grateful I continued after high school. After graduation, I knew I wanted to keep skating, so I auditioned for both Disney on Ice and the University of North Dakota figure skating team, ultimately deciding to skate at UND. I had many wonderful years training and performing in the beautiful Ralph Engelstad Arena. With over 10 years of coaching experience and four years teaching Pilates, I love helping skaters of all ages develop skills, confidence, and routines—on the ice and beyond. The figure skating world is a supportive, inspiring community, and I’m proud to be part of it.

Contact: madisonyaggie@gmail.com

Private lessons coach - Learn To Skate AND ADVANCED

Currently taking new private lesson students: YES

Madison Lien

LTS Group and Private Lesson Coach

Hey! My name is Maddie Lien, I have been on the ice since I was 6 years old and haven’t been off it since. I grew up skating in Fergus Falls where I continued until I graduated high school. Currently I am at NDSU studying Agricultural Education with minors in Crop and Weed Sciences and Extension Education. I started my coaching journey with Southern Valley in the season of 2023 where I have provided both private and group lessons. I love being the biggest supporter for my skaters on the ice as they achieve so many amazing things.

Contact: madisonlien2006@icloud.com

Private lessons coach - Learn To Skate

Currently taking new private lesson students: NO

Cynthia Klimek

LTS Group Coach & Private Lesson Coach

I have been a part of Southern Valley Figure Skating Club since a young age and have been coaching for 3 years. Skating has always remained one of my hobbies, as well as working with children; I have spent many years working childcare. I am now a stay-at-home mom to my amazing little girl, and 3 wild dogs. I am excited to enjoy a fun year with all my skaters!

Contact: Cynthia.klimek46@icloud.com

Private lessons coach - Learn To Skate Through Basic 4

Currently taking new private lesson students: YES

Abby Bruechert

LTS Group Coach and Private Lesson Coach

Hi! My name is Abby Bruechert. I am in my final year of nursing at NDSCS! I have been skating with the club since I was 5 and have been coaching for over 4 years! Being a coach has been one of my favorite things about skating!

Contact: bruechertabby@gmail.com

Private lessons coach - Learn To Skate 

Currently taking new private lesson students: YES

Autumn Benedict

LTS Group Coach

Hi my names Jaidyn and I have been in skating for 10 years and I have been a coach for 3. I am currently on my pre-silver moves and a juvenile in the skating skills. I have always enjoyed teaching new skaters skills and I enjoy seeing how much they improve throughout the season. I enjoy coaching new students every year and I love having a broad range of skating levels to teach. 

Contact: benedictautumn2@gmail.com

Private lessons coach - NO

Currently taking new private lesson students: NO

Laura Formaneck

LTS Group Coach & Private Lesson Coach

My name is Laura Formaneck. I started skating when I was 4 years old with my dad at Sterns Arena and joined SVFSC when I was in 5th grade (2002-2003). I skated with the club through the end of my first year in college (2010-2011, 9 years) and have been a contracted coach for SVFSC since 2020 when my oldest child started skating. I have a Bachelor of Science Degree in Early Childhood Education (Birth- Grade 3) as well as an Endorsement to teach Elementary Education up to 8th grade in North Dakota. I have 14 years of experience working with children through the skating club, my studies, home life, and career. Being a coach for the club is what initially led me to my choice of degree, and I wouldn’t change it for the world; it’s not just a job, I enjoy what I do and look forward to it every day. I love to help all children, whether at school or the rink, learn new skills and accomplish their goals.

Contact:  laura.l.formaneck@outlook.com

Private lessons coach - Learn To Skate

Currently taking new private lesson students: YES

Sarah Durytskyi

LTS Group Coach and Private Lesson Coach

My name is Sarah Durytskyi, I grew up loving the sport of Figure Skating. I started skating at 3 years old but did not have lessons until I was between 9-11 years old. Although my skating journey began later than some, my determination and passion for the sport proved useful as I was able to pass many levels in a short amount of time. I would have enjoyed furthering my skating career but chose different options as my focus turned to college. My passion for skating has stayed with me and I hope to encourage this love for the sport in other skaters. Figure Skating taught me a lot about character, discipline, grace, and what it means to be a team player while also encouraging individuality. I want to inspire skaters of all ages that they can set goals and achieve them no matter when or where they started their skating journey. Hard work pays off, and no matter how early or late it takes one to begin, it’s all about the mindset and how hard they are willing to push themselves and work to achieve their goals. 

Contact: snj@live.com

Private lessons coach - Learn To Skate 

Currently taking new private lesson students: YES

Breanna Halquist

LTS Group Coach 

I discovered the enjoyment of figure skating as a child and skated through middle school before returning to the sport as a coach and skating mom. I enjoy helping young skaters build confidence, learn new skills, and have fun on the ice.

One of my greatest joys is sharing the rink with my daughters, who have fallen in love with skating too! When I'm not at the arena, I enjoy life on my family’s hobby farm and staying busy as a proud mom of four.

I strive to make every lesson a fun and positive experience!

Contact: breanna.allrich@outlook.com

Private lessons coach - NO

Currently taking new private lesson students: NO

Jaidyn Seeley

LTS Group Coach and Private Lesson Coach

Hi, my name is Jaidyn! I have been a skater through SVFSC for 11 years and this is my 4th year coaching. I love seeing the improvement throughout the season with my skaters and love to watch the love for skating grow. My favorite part of the season is competitions and creating programs. I am so excited about this skating season!

Contact: jaidynseelye@gmail.com

Private lessons coach - Learn To Skate And Low Freeskate

Currently taking new private lesson students: YES

Emma Klein

LTS Group Coach and Private Lesson Coach

Hi my names Jaidyn and I have been in skating for 10 years and I have been a coach for 3. I am currently on my pre-silver moves and a juvenile in the skating skills. I have always enjoyed teaching new skaters skills and I enjoy seeing how much they improve throughout the season. I enjoy coaching new students every year and I love having a broad range of skating levels to teach. 

Contact: emmabbklein@gmail.com

Private lessons coach - Learn to Skate and Beginning Dance  

Currently taking new private lesson students: NO

Jasmyn Benedict

LTS Group Coach and Private Lesson Coach

I’m a high school senior who has been with the club since I was 3. I love reading and working out in my free time. I plan on attending NDSU next fall for psychology. I’m very excited for this year!

Contact: jazzymazing@gmail.com

Private lessons coach - Learn To Skate Levels 

Currently taking new private lesson students: NO

Emma Betz

LTS Group Coach 

Contact: Betzemma34@gmail.com

Private lessons coach - NO

Currently taking new private lesson students: NO