Home Club Coaches
Heather Galgas
Singles, Skating Skills, and Learn to Skate Coach
GOLD MEDALIST
Heather has been involved in figure skating for more than 30 years. She teaches both private lessons and group lessons and has taught many skaters from their first steps on the ice through high school graduation and beyond.
Heather is part of a ‘skating family’ – her husband, Briant Galgas is a hockey coach. Her daughter is a figure skater, and her two sons also play competitive hockey.
Holly Gray
Singles, Skating Skills, and Learn to Skate Coach
Holly has been involved in ice skating for over 40 years. She was trained in moves, figures, freestyle, and skated synchro for 10 years at various levels including Adult. She skated competitively growing up and has been involved in coaching for nearly 30 years. She teaches group lessons and private lessons for young learners and adults!
Email: hollysk88@yahoo.com
Rachel Gray
Ice Dance, Skating Skills, Singles, Choreography and Learn to Skate Coach
GOLD MEDALIST
Hi! My name is Rachel. I have been skating for over 17 years, and coaching since 2019. Prior to coaching, I was a volunteer instructor for 5 years. I have competed as a singles skater for over 10 years, and Nationally with the Ice Theatre of Cleveland for 3 years. I am a 5-time USFSA Gold Medalist, having earned my Gold Skating Skills, Singles, Solo Follow Pattern Dance, Solo Free Dance and Partnered Follow Pattern Dance tests. In addition, I have passed 6 Solo International Dances.
I earned my Associate of Arts and Associate of Science in 2022, and my Bachelor's in Psychology in 2024. In addition, I serve as the Production Assistant for the Padua Franciscan Figure Skating Team.
I enjoy helping my students reach their goals, teaching correct technique, choreographing, and helping skaters develop confidence in their abilities. I believe that skating always has life lessons to offer regardless of age, level or ability. I have always had a very positive experience with skating, and I hope to share that with my skaters.
Phone: (440) 876-8144
Email: rtgray05@gmail.com
Tara Gray
Singles and Learn to Skate Coach
GOLD MEDALIST
Hi! My name is Tara. I have been skating for more than 15 years and was a volunteer instructor for over 4 years before coaching in 2021. I have been a competitive singles skater for more than 14 years and have also competed nationally with the Ice Theatre of Cleveland for 3 seasons. I have performed state-wide and Nationally with the Padua Franciscan high school team, where we recently earned our 12th State Championship title. I have accomplished my Gold Skating Skills, Solo Free Dance and Solo Pattern Dance, and my Pre-Gold Singles tests.
Abby Kiraly
Assistant Learn to Skate Coach
Hey! I'm Abby, and I've been skating for 16 years! I started skating when my dad took me after school one day, and then signed me up for Learn to Skate and I fell in love with it! I have passed my Solo Bronze pattern dances and am working towards the Pre-Silver dances. I have also passed my Pre-Silver Skating Skills and my Pre-Juvenile Singles. I recently graduated from Cuyahoga Community College with an Associate of Arts degree, and am pursuing an education degree at Cleveland State University. I look forward to helping everyone reach their goals when it comes to learning how to ice skate!
Meredith Schaefer
Singles, Skating Skills and Learn to Skate Coach
GOLD MEDALIST
Hi! My name is Meredith, and figure skating has been a part of my life since the age of 3. I’ve been coaching Learn to Skate and private lessons for the past 17 years. I have earned my Senior (Gold) Freeskate and Skating Skills/Moves in the field tests. Skating is something that I am passionate about and has taught me many valuable life lessons over the years as a student and now from a coaches perspective. I have also made lifelong friendships through the sport of skating.
Phone: (216) 235-7005
Email: Mdaney0428@yahoo.com
Allison Vega
Singles and Skating Skills Coach
GOLD MEDALIST
Allison has been involved with figure skating for 27 years. She has been coaching private lessons for the past 12 years. She is also one of the Padua Franciscan High School skating team's coaches. Allison was a competitive figure skater all the way through college. She has completed her Gold (Senior) Moves in the Field and Gold (Senior) Freestyle skating tests.
Email: anm54@zips.uakron.edu
Associate Coaches
Julie Bellomy
Ice Dance, Singles, Skating Skills & Learn to Skate Coach
GOLD MEDALIST
Julie has been involved with skating for over 30 years and coaching since 2010. Julie competed at both the regional and sectional level in gold dance. She has also competed at the adult nationals competition in both gold solo dance and gold partner dance. This past year, she and her partner were the gold medalists at the adult national competition. Julie has completed the Gold dance, Novice Free Dance test, and Intermediate freeskate test. Julie has a Bachelor of Arts in elementary education with a minor in biology from Capital University.
Phone: (440)390-8885
Email:julie.bellomy8@gmail.com
Chris Demarest
Ice Dance, Singles and Skating Skills Coach
GOLD MEDALIST
Chris has been involved in figure skating for more than 30 years. He has been teaching both private and group lessons since 1997. Chris was a performer for Disney On Ice for 2 years, along with his wife, GraceAnn, who is also a professional figure skating instructor. Chris has completed the Gold Moves In The Field test, the Gold Free Skate test, the Gold Dance test, and the Novice Free Dance test. Chris competed in the Regional and Sectional levels in the Senior Men’s division as well as Collegiate Nationals. He also competed at both Regionals and Sectionals as a competitive ice dancer. Chris is an active member of the Professional Skater’s Association, and a full-time dad to sons Colin and Noah and daughter Natalie. Chris has a Bachelor of Arts from Kent State University and a minor in Athletic Coaching. He also earned his secondary education license from Notre Dame College. Chris also serves on the board of directors for the Greater Cleveland Council of Figure Skating Clubs.
Phone: (216) 235-1798
Email: cdemarest42@gmail.com
GraceAnn Demarest
Singles, Skating Skills, and Choreography Coach
GOLD MEDALIST
GraceAnn has enjoyed working as a professional figure skating coach since 1997 and has been involved in figure skating for more than 40 years.
As a skater, she competed at the U.S. Figure Skating Regional Championships and achieved Gold medalist test status in both Moves in the Field and Free Skating. She recently accomplished her Solo Bronze Dance test (and is currently working on more dance tests!) GraceAnn skated professionally with Disney On Ice (2001-2003) performing in 14 countries. She also earned a BA in Psychology from Cleveland State University in 1999.
GraceAnn is a member of the Professional Skaters Association and was a team leader at the 2017 USFS Components Camp. She is a board member of the Brooklyn Figure Skating Club and teaches at various rinks throughout the Cleveland area. GraceAnn coaches skaters of all ages from beginners through advanced tested and competitive skaters. She and her husband, Chris, both coach figure skating and have 2 sons and a daughter.
“As a skating coach it is my job to help a student learn proper technique, build upon self-confidence, develop their creativity, and set goals. Whether it is landing their first axel or learning how to glide on one foot across the ice, I love to see a skater accomplish what they have worked hard for.”
Phone: (216) 410-3853
Email: gsteck24@gmail.com
Natalie Demarest
Assistant Learn to Skate Coach
GOLD MEDALIST
Hi! My name is Natalie and I have been skating for over 11 years. I have been volunteering at both the Forestwood and Brooklyn Learn-to-Skate Programs for 2 years. I have competed as a singles skater for over 10 years. I have also been competing in the U.S. Figure Skating National Qualifying Series for 3 years. I have earned my Gold Skating Skills, Pre-Gold Singles, Gold Dance, Gold Solo Freedance, and Pre-Gold Solo Dance tests. I have also completed two Partnered International Dances and one Solo International Dance.
I am currently a freshman at Normandy High School. I am involved in the Normandy Dazzlers program on their dance team. I have also been a part of the Padua Franciscan Figure Skating Team for 3 years, where we just earned our 12th State Championship Title.
Skating has been apart of my life ever since I was little and I love to share that same feeling to others within the sport! I enjoy working with the skaters and seeing their skills develop over time! It gives me great joy to see a skaters achieve their goals on the ice!
Alexis Flinn
Singles and Skating Skills Coach
Alexis has been involved in skating since 2001 and has been teaching private lessons since 2012. She has accomplished her Novice Moves in the Field and Intermediate Free Skating tests. Alexis is a graduate of Padua Franciscan High School and the University of Akron. While at Padua, she was a member of the High School’s skating team. During her years on the team, they won the State Championships in 2008 and 2010, and finished runner up in 2009. Alexis is now one of the coaches of the figure skating team at Padua. “I grew up figure skating and it is great to be able to pass on what I have learned through the years. I enjoy working with the kids and teaching the sport that I love.”
Phone: (440) 309-9835
Erika Fujisawa
Singles, Skating Skills, Choreography and Learn to Skate Coach
Japanese National Championships competitor in Novice, Junior, and Senior levels. Erika has traveled to 23 countries with Disney On ice 2011-2023. Also has experience professionally coaching Figure Skating since 2011 in Japan.
With 32 years of skating experience and 20 years of coaching, Erika brings her passion and love to the ice.
Erika teaches general freestyle, off ice, Choreographing, and skating skills in all age groups. She hopes to help students achieve their goals and support them as a skater and as a person through this sport.
Email: erika0601sk8@gmail.com
Isabella H.
Assistant Learn to Skate Coach
I have been skating for 9 years. I am a high school senior. I have volunteered in the past and love sharing my love of the sport with others. I have competed in both singles and synchronized skating. Throughout my time in skating I have won 3 state championships with the Padua Franciscan High School team! I am working on my Gold skating skills, Gold free dance, and Pre-Gold solo ice dance.
Alexis Martin
Singles, Skating Skills, and Learn to Skate Coach
GOLD MEDALIST
Hi! My name is Alexis. I have been skating for over 15 years, and coaching Learn-to-Skate since 2022. I was a volunteer instructor for a few years prior to becoming an instructor. I have competed as a Singles skater for 10 years in a wide range of event styles, and have experience in Production Ensemble events. I have earned my Gold Solo Free Dance, Gold Skating Skills, Bronze Singles, and Silver Pattern Dances. I am currently working on earning my Gold Solo and Partner Pattern Dances, and earning as many Singles tests as I can!
I recently graduated from Padua Franciscan High School. During my time at Padua, I was a member of the figure skating team, which has earned 12 State Championship Titles! I am currently attending John Carroll University studying Cell & Molecular Biology on a Pre-Medical track.
Being able to do what I love and teach others about it makes me truly happy! My passion for skating has grown so much through the relationships I’ve made and learning more from my peers. I’m grateful to have the opportunity to encourage developing skaters to reach their goals on the ice and in life.
Phone: (216) 630-1044
Email: alexis.martin3606@gmail.com