Advanced FIGURE Skating / Figure Skating Coaches
In July and August 2024, we’ll be working on upgrades to the guest areas of the ice arena! The rink will be open for public skate and other activities throughout the renovation. Please excuse our temporary mess!
Advanced FIGURE Skating
Freestyle Sessions
Freestyle ice skating sessions are open to the public for practicing figure skating skills and programs. In order to participate in a figure skating freestyle session at The Jones Center, you must:
Read and agree to follow our Ice Etiquette rules
Be in private lessons and/or have your own figure skates
Check in at the skate counter once you arrive
Freestyle Schedule: Sessions are 30 min
MONDAY 3-4pm (Figure skating freestyle session)
4-5pm (Figure skating freestyle session)
5-6pm (Hockey skating skills & figure skating freestyle session)
TUESDAY 8-9am (Figure skating freestyle session)
9-10am (Figure skating freestyle session)
3-4pm (Figure skating freestyle session)
4-5pm (Figure skating freestyle session)
5-6pm (Figure skating freestyle session)
WEDNESDAY 3-4pm (Figure skating freestyle session)
4-5pm (Figure skating freestyle session)
5-6pm (Figure skating freestyle session)
THURSDAY 6:15-7:30am (Figure skating freestyle session)
8-9am (Figure skating freestyle session)
9-10am (Figure skating freestyle session)
3-4pm (Figure skating freestyle session)
4-5pm (Figure skating freestyle session)
5-6pm (Figure skating freestyle session)
FRIDAY 6-7:30am (Figure skating freestyle session)
3-4pm (Figure skating freestyle session)
4-5:30pm (Hockey skating skills & figure skating freestyle session)
SATURDAY 7-8am (Hockey skating skills & figure skating freestyle session)
8-9am (Hockey skating skills & figure skating freestyle session)
Freestyle Session Fee:
$10/session (Walk-in fee)
$4 per session (30 min) for 5+ purchased at a time (Punch passes may be purchased at the skate counter)
ADVANCED SKATING CLASS
Rising Stars: A 30-minute technique class focused on developing a well-rounded athlete followed by a 30-minute power class focusing on better edge quality and control, proper power development and stamina. Must have passed Learn to Skate Basic 6.
Cost: $110 for the 6-week session
FUTURE SESSION DATES
Session 1
Jan. 2 thru Feb. 15, 2024Session 2
Feb. 20 thru April 11, 2024Session 3
April 16 thru May 23, 2024Session 4
May 28 thru July 11, 2024Session 5
July 16 thru August 22, 2024Session 6
August 27 thru Oct. 3, 2024Session 7
Oct. 8 thru Nov. 14, 2024
FIgure Skating Coaches
The Jones Center has an amazing team of coaches who can help you reach all of your skating goals! Whether you are interested in figure skating, improving skating skills for hockey or just being comfortable on the ice....we have a coach for you!
CHELSEA MENDENHALL
Jones Center Skating Coordinator
479-756-8090 ext. 2302
Chelsea started ice skating in group lessons at The Jones Center 23 years ago. She went on to take private lessons and began competing across the nation. Chelsea has a true love and passion for the sport of figure skating. She started teaching group classes when she was 16. During her freshman year of college, she began coaching private lessons. With experience coaching all ages and levels, Chelsea strives to develop a balanced athlete and instill confidence and a love for the sport in all skaters.
Professional Rating:
Professional Skaters Association (PSA) Certified Rating in Skating Skills
GREG BETZOLD
betzold.greg@gmail.com
Greg picked up his first hockey stick at the age of 2, and he learned to skate before he could even walk. Greg has been coached by some of the best ice hockey coaches in North America. Through talent and skill, he has been able to fulfill his career goal of playing professional ice hockey.
Greg played in the East Coast Hockey League (ECHL) from 2016-2022 and attended the St. Louis Blues rookie camp in 2013 and 2014.
As a figure skating coach, he believes that students can use a growth mindset to become better each year. Greg supports a culture that promotes success for skaters both on the ice and off the ice, while giving them the tools they need to reach their fullest potential.
JENNIFER CUCHIA
jenniferholliman@yahoo.com
Jennifer has been coaching ice skating for over 25 years and has been skating for 38. Her passion for figure skating has not wavered; nor has her pursuit of technical and artistic skills. As a coach, Jennifer produces confident and well-rounded athletes, from grassroots skaters in the Learn to Skate program to medalists at U.S. nationals. She enjoys teaching all ages and levels and is committed to developing a lifelong love of figure skating in all students. Jennifer holds a Level 2 PSA Hockey Certification, which allows her to help hockey players develop stronger technique, increase their power and hone their edge quality. As a bonus, Jennifer is a local rep who can size and fit skates and blades for both figure skaters and hockey players.
Professional Rankings
PSA Certified Rating in Skating Skills
PSA Registered Rating in Free Skating and in Group
Level 2 PSA Hockey Certification
ALETHEA HONOMICHL
ai.honomichl@gmail.com
Alethea started skating at Vallco Ice Chalet in Cupertino, CA in 1984 at the age of nine. She skated competitively throughout her teenage years. She passed up through 4th Test Figure, Novice Freestyle and Juvenile Pairs. She has competed at the Novice level on the standard tract and occasionally competes at the Adult Masters level. When she moved to Northwest Arkansas in 1994, she began coaching at The Jones Center when it opened in 1995 and continued for ten years. She returned to skating in 2019 and coaching in 2020. Alethea hopes to give every student – from tots to adults – a firm foundation in the basics of figure skating and instill a lifelong enjoyment of the amazing sport no matter how they wish to pursue the discipline.
Affiliations
U.S. Figure Skating’s Learn to Skate Program, U.S. Figure Skating
Ozark Figure Skating Club
Association members of PSA
ANNACAYE CLARK MCCORMICK
coachannacaye@gmail.com
Growing up, Annacaye was a competitive figure skater and dancer in Northwest Arkansas. She has tested through Novice Moves in the Field and Free Skate. After completing college, she became a principal dancer for a show in Branson, Mo., giving her the opportunity to perform on America’s Got Talent. Annacaye’s passion for movement and performance on and off the ice led her to expand her education in choreography. She earned a master’s degree in Choreography Techniques and also holds a bachelor’s degree in Speech Communication with a minor in Theater. She loves working with all levels of skaters and hopes to share the joy of the sport with all willing to learn.
Affiliations
U.S. Figure Skating, Ozark Figure Skating Club and Learn to Skate USA
Professional Certifications
American Ice Theatre Certification
PSA Certified Rating in Choreography and Registered Rating in Group
AIT Master Choreography Techniques
Basic Accreditation
CLAIRE MCCORMICK
cr.mccormick10@gmail.com
Claire started skating when she was age 9 in Kansas City, Mo. She competed in various states for six years until she injured her back. She began skating for fun while earning her qualification in Moves in the Field.
She moved to Arkansas in 2018 and earned her bachelor’s degree in Human Development and Family Sciences from the University of Arkansas. She has since returned to coaching and loves working with skaters of all ages and levels.
Claire is pursuing a doctorate degree in Occupational Therapy from the University of Arkansas and University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, and is set to graduate in December of 2025.
She looks forward to helping you achieve your skating goals!
EMMA MCLELLAN
emmaamclellan@gmail.com
Emma has over 10 years of competitive figure skating experience. She began skating at age 3 and immediately fell in love with the sport. Since then, she’s competed across the United States. As a coach, Emma strives to teach athletes of all ages the gift of the sport, while emphasizing the value of working toward goals.
She recently passed her Novice Moves in the Field and Intermediate Free Skate tests and is pursuing her Junior Moves in the Field and Novice Freeskate certifications. She specializes in Learn to Skate USA, jumps, spins and overall skating performance. She hopes to instill a love of being on the ice in all students.
Professional Ratings:
PSA Certified Rating in Skating Skills
PSA Registered Rating in Freeskate
Completion of Foundation of Coaching Course
Certification of Completion for Basic Accreditation (BA) Exam
ANA KATE METTENBURG
akmettenburg@icloud.com
Ana Kate began skating at The Jones Center as a child and now has nearly a decade of experience. A high school student, she is a two-time National Showcase silver medalist and a National Showcase bronze medalist.
Ana Kate passed her Silver (Novice) Skating Skills and Bronze (Juvenile) Singles tests. She continues to test and compete while coaching. As a coach, she enjoys working with all ages and skill levels and sharing her love of being on the ice.
Affiliations:
Figure Skating Memberships and Affiliations member
U.S. Figure Skating member
Ozark Figure Skating Club member
LAUREN GRACE RYAN
skatecoachlauren@gmail.com
Lauren Grace has been figure skating since age 10 and coaching since 2016. She has been a competitive skater and tested for the Moves in the Field and Freeskate levels.
Her goal in coaching is to help students of all ages find their passion for the sport, whether it’s figure skating or ice hockey and develop as well-rounded skater on and off the ice.
Lauren has a bachelor's degree from the University of Arkansas in K-6th Grade Education.
Affiliation/Certifications:
PSA, U.S. Figure Skating and Ozark Figure Skating Club member
Hockey 1-4 Skating certificates
ASHLEY VAN DER SLUYS VEER
avandersv@gmail.com
Ashley van der Sluys Veer was a competitive figure skater for 13 years, competing at the 2020 Pacific Coach Sectional Championships and U.S. Collegiate National Championships, becoming USFS Double Gold Medalist for Moves in the Field and Freeskate. She has been a coach for six years, teaching various levels of figure skating from Snowplow Sam to Novice. She loves teaching all aspects of skating, including jumps, spins and choreography. As a coach, she strives for her students to share her passion for the sport and to build confidence in their abilities. She holds a B.S. in Kinesiology with an emphasis on Fitness from California State University, Long Beach
Affiliations:
PSA member
CONTACT
For more information about figure skating, freestyle sessions, Learn to Skate classes and private lessons, please contact Chelsea Mendenhall, Jones Center Skating Coordinator.