Brenda Backen
Brenda comes to the Yellowknife Skating Club from Sedgewick, Alberta. She has coached with the club for thirteen years and has studied ballet and jazz for eight years. Brenda loves to coach all disciplines within the club including learn-to-skate, Special Olympics, freeskate, skating skills, dance and interpretive. Brenda’s coaching philosophy is: "To provide the opportunity for all children to learn the sport of figure skating in a fun and safe environment, by helping them to reach their goals and skate their dreams." Certification: Level I - Special Olympics, Level II - Singles & Dance, Partial Level III - Singles & Dance, Certified CanPowerSkate. Experience: Four years coaching in Alberta, Thirteen years coaching in Yellowknife. Team NWT Coach for: 2000 & 2008 Nationals Special Olympics, 2003, 2007 & 2011 Canada Winter Games, 2006, 2008, 2010 & 2012 Arctic Winter Games, Alberta Section STARSkate Finals, and Alberta Sectionals. Brenda has served on the YKSC board as the Club Coach Rep; the Region Coach Rep with Skate Canada, Alberta Section; NWT Coach Rep on the NWT Figure Skating Association; and has experience organizing skating clinics. For private coaching rates, please contact Brenda.
Lisette Kaip
Lisette is a long-time northerner and spent many summers skating out of the Weston Skating School in Toronto. As a skater, Lisette has represented the NWT in three Arctic Winter Games (winning several medals) and two Alberta Sectional competitions. Lisette has 16 years of coaching experience with all disciplines including learn to skate, freeskate, skating skills, dance and interpretive. She has coached skaters to the gold level in all discplines. Lisette’s coaching philosophy is: "To provide a safe, fun, fair and affordable environment where all members have an equal opportunity to reach their full potential and realize their personal goals." Certification: NCCP ISPC (Level 2) certified, Partial Level III - Technical & Theory, Human Resource Management certificate UofM. 13 years of coaching experience. Team NWT Coach for: 2004, 2006, 2008 and 2010 Arctic Winter Games, 2007 Canada Winter Games, Alberta Section STARSkate Finals (multiple times), and Alberta Sectionals. Lisette has served on the YKSC board as the Club Coach Rep; the Region Coach Rep with Skate Canada, Alberta Section; NWT Coach Rep on the NWT Figure Skating Association; and has experience organizing and conducting skating clinics.
Tara Kaip
Tara was born and raised in the NWT, skated out of the Yellowknife Skating Club and spent many summers training in Kelowna, Winnipeg and Leduc. As a skater, Tara has represented the NWT in two Arctic Winter Games (winning a gold medal in 2006), in the 2007 Canada Winter Games, as guest skater at another club's year-end ice show, at eight Alberta-NWT Section STARSkate Finals competitions (winning several medals) and once at the Alberta Sectional competition. Tara is a passionate and enthusiastic coach who teaches learn to skate, freeskate and interpretive. Tara specializes in freeskate, choreography and off-ice conditioning. Certification: NCCP ISC (Level 1) certified. Experience: 5 years of coaching experience, head coach for the 2012 Arctic Winter Games NWT Figure Skating Team, 1.5 years’ experience serving as Club Coach Rep, and 7 years assistant coaching for the Yellowknife Skating Club. Private Coaching. Skate Canada Tests: Gold Freeskate Elements, Senior Silver Freeskate, Gold Dance, Gold Skating Skills, Gold Interpretive and Gold Creative Dance.
Jennifer Boudreau
Jennifer comes to the Yellowknife skating club from Tracadie-Sheila, New-Brunswick. As a skater, Jennifer has represented NB at the Canadian Championships as a pairs skater, at six (6) NB sectional competitions in pairs, singles and as a synchro skater and has appeared as a guest skater at several other clubs year-end ice shows. Certification: NCCP level 1 certified, level 2 theory. Personal Skate Canada tests: Gold Freeskate, Gold Dance, Pre-Novice Pairs, Pre-Novice Singles, Gold Artistic, Gold Skating Skills, Novice Synchro. Jennifer has 8 years of coaching experience with all disciplines including learn to skate, freeskate, skating skills, dance and interpretive. She has coached skaters to the gold level in all disciplines and she specializes in freeskate.
Erin Ladouceur
Jennifer Spencer
Jodi Brennan
Picking a Professional Coach:
How do I arrange for a Private Lesson?
All of the YKSC Professional Coaches (Coaches) are well qualified to teach your skater. They are each minimum NCCP Level I certified. You must contact the Coach of your choice and all scheduling of lessons and related costs are between you and the Coach.
What to consider when choosing a Professional Coach?
1. Talk to the Coaches! Introduce yourself and advise them that you are considering private lessons for your skater and inquire as to whether they are accepting new students. Talk to other skating parents for added information if desired.
2. Watch the Coaches to observe for yourself how they conduct themselves and how they interact with the skaters.
3. Fees! Fees for lessons vary, so feel free to ask the Coach what they charge. For the younger skater, you may wish to ask whether the Coach is offering small group lessons.