Home of
SKATING COACHES
Tawny Lane
Skating Manager
Email: sk8academy@bergerfoundationiceplex.com
Phone: (760) 835-5000 ext. 5007
Available: Currently not accepting new students.
Tawny has over 28 years of ice-skating experience. She completed her training at a young age through the Ice Sport Industry (ISI) program for both competitive figure skating and recreational hockey. She is currently a member of United States Figure Skating Association (USFSA) along with the Professional Skaters Association (PSA).
As a coach, Tawny enjoys sharing her passion and enthusiasm of ice-skating, whether figure or hockey driven, with all of her students. She teaches all basic and beginner skills from tots and children to teens and adults. Whether you decide to step into hockey skates or figure skates for the first time on the ice, Tawny will tailor her coaching style to meet your needs and goals. She will provide a solid foundation for your advancement throughout your skating journey.
WALTER STEVENSON
Walter’s career began in Cape Cod, MA and includes over 20 years of coaching experience in instructing skating school and private individual lessons. In addition, Walter has 6 years of professional show skating experience including chorus numbers, special acts and figure skating on stilts in shows such as Ice Follies, Holiday on Ice, Disney’s World on Ice and Ice Capades. He performed in shows with world-renowned skaters such as Dorothy Hamill, Janet Lynn, Randy Gardner, Tai Babilonia, Linda Fratianni, Scott Hamilton and Peggy Flemming. His knowledge and expertise comes from extensive training and instruction at Graphical user interface, application, The Falmouth FSC, John F Kennedy FSC, Cape Cod Coliseum, Hingham FSC, The Skating Club of Boston and The Lake Placid Olympic Center. Several of his students have medaled in competitions and his forte is competitive and exhibition choreography.
JEFF CRANDELL
Skating Coach
Email: jeffreycrandell@comcast.net
Phone: (650) 278-3981
Available: Currently accepting new students!
Jeff Crandell is a Double USFS Gold Medalist and holds a Level VI Ranking and Registered Rating with the Professional Skating Association. Jeff is very excited to bring his 20 years of broad coaching experience to the Berger Foundation Iceplex. He enjoys coaching all levels of skating and guiding each athlete through their own personal skating journey. Jeff has coached Adult National Champions, coached skaters to the podium at the US National Championships, coached his athlete to a silver medal at the 2020 Youth Olympics in Switzerland, and coached skaters at numerous ISU competitions around the world as part of Team USA. Jeff is known for teaching excellent jump technique which helps build consistency and prevent recurring injuries. Jeff is available to teach Jumps, Spins, Moves in the Field, and Choreography.
Gary kemp
Skating Coach
Email: icecoachgary@yahoo.com
Phone: (310) 839-4545
Available: Currently accepting new students!
Gary Kemp is a United States Figure Skating double gold medalist and a professional skating association registered coach. Gary can teach basic skating skills, moves in the field, freestyle and choreography, ice dancing, pairs, and hockey power skating.
Julie Mehrban
Skating Coach
Email: jewelzpolo@gmail.com
Phone: (818) 212-1041
Available: Currently accepting new students!
Julie has over 20 years of figure skating experience. Growing up skating in Los Angeles, she completed her training through the Ice Sports Industry (ISI) program for competitive figure skating. Julie’s lifelong passion for the sport naturally evolved into coaching, where she focuses on building strong foundations and confidence in her students. She enjoys working with skaters of all ages and abilities, helping each one reach new milestones in their skating journey. Julie takes pride in creating a positive, encouraging atmosphere where progress and enjoyment go hand in hand.
Kat Score
Skating Coach
Email: kat.score@aol.com
Phone: (760) 835-4473
Kat Score is a native to the Coachella Valley where where she was a USFSA competitive figure skater for over a decade. At a young age, she had the opportunity to train with Tammy Gambill. Dance is a beautiful addition to skating, so she begin ballet at the age of 5. When the original Palm Desert mall rink closed its doors, her heart sank, but her passion for the dance floor grew stronger. She begin training in many different styles, leading her to a career in Dance Instruction and Choreography. Figure skating was her first love, and she is thrilled to have a beautiful local rink again. Kat is excited to be coaching and hopes she can apply her knowledge and training in the arts to the future generation of athletes here at Berger Foundation Iceplex. She is available for coaching and choreography for both on and off ice training.
VICTORIA GORMAN
Skating Coach
Email: Sk8gurl7@gmail.com
Phone: (909) 328-0937
Available: Currently accepting new students!
Victoria brings 19 years of skating experience and a decade of ballet training to her coaching, blending artistry, athleticism, and technical precision. She has trained under world-renowned coaches, including 9x Hall of Fame and Olympic team coach Frank Carroll, national technical specialist Colleen Mickey, Olympic ice dancer Yuri Kocherzhenko, and Olympic coach Evelyn Crainer (“The Spin Doctor”).
Victoria specializes in jumps, spins, skating skills tests, free skate tests, choreography, and off-ice training. Her students have consistently achieved success—qualifying for national-level events, passing skating skills and free skate tests, and earning top placements in both Compete USA and U.S. Figure Skating levels. Her students have also received invitations to finalist camps and interclub finals, which feature the top skaters in Southern California.
Dedicated to building a strong technical foundation, Victoria draws on the knowledge and training she received from her esteemed mentors to inspire and prepare the next generation of competitive figure skaters.
Student Achievements:
- Qualified for national events
- Passed skating skills and free skate tests
- Consecutive placements at Compete USA and U.S. Figure Skating levels
- Invitations to finalist camps and interclub finals (top Southern California skaters)
- 2025 Interclub finals champion
Caitlin Mae Coulter-Weith
Skating Coach
Email: Caitlinskates13@gmail.com
Phone: (760) 620-4372
Available: Currently accepting new students!
Caitlin Mae has over seven years of figure skating experience and grew up skating in the Coachella Valley. Skating has always felt like a second home to her, and she takes pride in building strong technique and skill through consistent practice. She has competed in several competitions and recitals, earning first- and second-place placements, including first place at Orange County Twist, Best Performance at the Icetown Holiday event, and first and second place at Riverside Orange Twist. As a coach, Caitlin focuses on helping skaters develop proper technique, recognize and correct mistakes, and grow with confidence in a fun, positive learning environment.
JOHN WAGNER
Skating Coach
Email: johnwagner.fs@gmail.com
Phone: (909) 633-6478
Available: Currently accepting new students.
John is a USFS Gold Medalist bringing a multi-discipline background and athlete-centered approach to the ice. Raised in the competitive pipeline, he built his foundations in Little Rock, AR before training for nearly a decade at the former Ice Castle International Training Center in Lake Arrowhead, CA. There, he received masterclass instruction under legendary Singles coach Frank Carroll, alongside elite coaching in Pairs and Ice Dance.
John tested and competed regionally, sectionally, and nationally in Singles, Pairs, and Ice Dance. This unique background allows him to create a highly comprehensive training environment to prepare standard-track youth for the National Qualifying Series (NQS), guide skaters through USFS test sessions, and train adult beginners and returnees.
Off the ice, John serves as a law enforcement Watch Commander. His background in leadership and public safety translates into a structured, high-accountability environment where skaters are empowered to take ownership of their training.
LEILA BROOKS
Skating Coach
Email: Leibrooks99@gmail.com
Phone: (310) 902-1292
Available: Currently not accepting new students.
Leila has been figure skating for over 20 years and is passionate about helping skaters of all ages develop confidence, skills, and a love for the sport. After growing up in Santa Monica, California, she relocated to O’ahu, Hawaiʻi, where she coached through ISI and served as a Board Member and Head of Social Media for the Hawai’i Figure Skating Club (USFS). Leila believes every skater’s journey is unique and strives to create a positive, supportive environment where everyone can grow. Whether you’re stepping onto the ice for the first time or working toward new goals, she believes it’s never too late to start skating.
VISITING COACHES
All visiting coaches are asked to contact management 7 days prior to coming to the facility. Visiting coaches must be approved by skating manager prior to coaching. All visiting coaches will need to fill out a guest coach packet and provide the following:
- Proof of liability insurance
- USFS membership
- Safesport credentials
- Signed guest coaching agreement
Visiting coaches will be contacted by skating management with final approval instructions.
Please contact management at sk8academy@bergerfoundationiceplex.com.com for more information.