About The Owner
Valerie Calver
National Level Certified Coach | Gold Level Status
Welcome to The Skating Studio, where passion and progress come together. I’m Valerie, the owner and head coach. I hold a National Level Coaching Certification with eleven additional Level 4 tasks completed, and I’m proud to be recognized as a Gold Level Status coach.
With over forty years of coaching experience and thirteen years as a skating director, I’ve had the privilege of working with skaters at all levels from beginners to Junior Competitive athletes. I’ve coached students to success in Gold Free Skate, Gold Dance, and Gold Artistic programs. My experience also includes working with hockey players and teaching skaters with special needs, for which I hold a specialized diploma.
At The Skating Studio, I focus on building strong skating skills in a creative, fun, and supportive environment. I believe in the power of skating to foster confidence, connection, and personal growth.
More than just a skating school, we are a community that welcomes all. I’m excited to share upcoming opportunities like camps and special programs where skaters can learn, grow, and create lasting memories together.
Let’s skate, shine, and inspire!
Our Team
With 12 years of skating experience, and trained as a competitive skater. I have competed in a wide range of events, from local competitions to national-level championships and Asian international competitions, which have given me a strong technical foundation and a clear understanding of competitive skating standards.
I have experience teaching young skaters from kindergarten through middle school, and I previously worked as a coach's assistant at my hometown rink, supporting private lessons focused on skills strengthening. These experiences helped me develop patience, strong communication skills, and the ability to adapt my teaching style to different ages and learning needs.
My coaching focuses on safety, discipline, and proper technique. I emphasize off-ice warm-ups, proper progressions, and injury prevention while fostering a positive, encouraging learning environment. I am reliable, organized, and good at scheduling, and I communicate clearly with parents to ensure consistency and trust.
Technically, I have strong standards in step sequences and spins. Drawing from my long-term personal training experience, I aim to help skaters build solid fundamentals, confidence, and sustainable growth in the sport.
I am fluent in Mandarin and English, and I enjoy working with skaters and families from diverse backgrounds.Sophie
With nine years of figure skating experience, I’m a retired competitive skater and a certified coach with a passion for helping young athletes learn and grow. I am currently in my fourth year studying Kinesiology and Physical Education at the University of Toronto, where I have gained experience in early childhood learning and creating lesson plans through my coursework. I strive to create a fun, supportive atmosphere on the ice where skaters feel confident and encouraged to challenge themselves. I’m excited to begin this next chapter and inspire the next generation of skaters!Mavis
I'm from a background of 13 years of figure skating, and 4 years of competitive ice dance. I've worked various coaching positions across the GTA and even ended up the captain of my college's figure skating club. While competing as an ice dancer, I have travelled for various competitions over the years across Canada and made wonderful memories. I love skating and I hope to share the same amount of joy I have and push forward a new generation of talent
Emmanouil
I started figure skating in 2017 at 18, as an adult beginner. I'm currently training STAR 6–7 Dance, STAR 3 Free Skate, and STAR 6 Skills, and I compete in Skate Ontario adult events in Silver Solo Dance, Bronze Free Skate, and Bronze Artistic. I'm finishing my CanSkate coach training, and I specialize in coaching fellow adult skaters.
Over the past three years, I've helped several adult beginners get into the sport, set goals, build confidence, and find their place in the skating community. Off the ice, I'm a user experience and product designer. My research background shapes how I coach: I'm observant, I spot problems quickly, and I design instructions that are clear and efficient. I believe a well-designed lesson helps each skater build their own structure for progress, along with confidence and connection. I started as an adult myself, and I remember what it feels like to step onto the ice for the first time.
With every skater I work with, I focus on skating skills, strong fundamentals, and injury prevention, so that everyone, regardless of age or background, can enjoy each session as a safe, meaningful, and fun space.
Yushin
I am a former national-level figure skater with 13 years of competitive experience and 3 years of coaching experience. I specialize in guiding skaters from their very first steps on the ice through the development of strong foundational skills and single jumps. My coaching approach combines technical precision, patience, and encouragement to help each skater build confidence, ability, and a lasting love for the sport.Marwan
With 4 years of skating experience, I am currently training in STAR 4 Freeskate and STAR 6/7 Dance. I began my coaching journey as a CanSkate Program Assistant, where I discovered my passion for helping young skaters learn and grow. As a Coach, I strive to create a positive, supportive, and fun environment where every skater feels encouraged to build confidence, develop strong skating fundamentals, and enjoy their time on the ice. I love celebrating each skater’s achievements and helping them reach their goals while developing a lifelong love for figure skating!Sarina
With a love for skating that started at just five years old, I’ve been on the ice for most of my life. Before figure skating, I was a Timbits hockey player, but everything changed when I saw an ad for figure skating in the newspaper. I remember being astonished that you could actually choose to be a figure skater - and I started not long after!
I skated competitively until I was 17 and was fortunate to place in the first run of EOSIC. While I’m proud of my skating accomplishments, what stands out most is how much I genuinely love the sport and everything it has taught me.
I spent four years teaching CanSkate and later taught power skating to hockey players with Sandy Skate. What I bring most to coaching is my understanding of mindset. Figure skating has taught me countless life lessons, and I believe confidence and resilience are just as important as skating skills. My goal is to help skaters grow, believe in themselves, and develop a genuine love for being on the ice.Sara
I began skating at the age of four and have over 12 years of skating experience. My journey began in roller figure skating, where I trained competitively and won a gold medal at the national level in Iran. My competitive background gave me a strong foundation in balance, coordination, technique, and performance.
I later transitioned to figure skating on ice and have been training on the ice for approximately three years. Over the past year, I have also gained experience as a Learn to Skate instructor, helping beginner skaters develop their fundamental skills and become comfortable and confident on the ice.
I especially enjoy working with children and creating lessons that are positive, encouraging, and fun. My goal as an instructor is to help each skater progress at their own pace, celebrate their achievements, and develop confidence and a genuine love for skating.
Athena
Sara K.
Skating has always been a very fun and personal sport to me, as I learned how to skate at 3 years old on an ice rink my dad had built in our backyard! From a young age skating has brought me so many memories, relationships, and learning experiences. I took both recreational and figure skating lessons throughout my childhood and early teenage years to refine my skills, and later began coaching when I was 15 years old. Since then, I have gained experience working with ages ranging from toddlers to adults, coaching mainly Learn to Skate classes but also some beginner figure skating and hockey classes as well. I am a second year psychology student at York university, with a focus on children’s developmental psychology and psychotherapy. My background in psychology strongly impacts how I coach and communicate. I am deeply passionate about working with children and creating an environment where they feel supported, respected, and understood. My coaching technique puts a strong focus on safety and empathy. With my students I prioritize perfecting fundamental techniques, clear communication, and building comfort on the ice. I strive to help my skaters learn at their own pace, grow their confidence, and turn any initial nervousness into a positive experience!
Hi! My name is Kimberly, but I go by Kimmy. I’m a figure skater with over 10 years of skating experience. I began skating at the age of 3 and have spent the past 3 years competing at the national level and am competing my second year internationally. I have 2 years of coaching experience.
Throughout my skating career, I have earned two international gold medals at the Budapest Cup in Hungary and Mozart Cup in Austria, and I am currently a Triple Gold skater. My experience as a competitive athlete has helped me develop strong skills in discipline, teamwork, perseverance, and dedication.
As a coach, I hope to share my love of skating with others, help skaters build confidence, and support them as they develop their skills and reach their goals. I strive to create a positive, encouraging, and fun learning environment where every skater feels supported and motivated to improve!
I’m excited to share my knowledge and experience with the next generation of skaters.