Our Team
Lorie Charbonneau
Kate Charbonneau Shurts
Christian Conte
Debbie Warne-Jacobsen
Supporting Team
Caryn Kadavy
Garrett Kling
Kim Ryan Lewis
Sheila Thelen
Matthew Matsuura
Jessica Robeck
Off Ice Training
Champion Skating Harness
Electric Spinner
Premier Sport Psychology
Lisa Zamarripa
Ballet + Conditioning
“Great success starts with a great team and Go4Gold Skating Academy was founded on that very principle. We offer customized figure skating curriculum in a dedicated and positive training environment. We use cutting edge technology, technique and elite training strategies. Our team is comprised of top professionals who work together to ensure each skater achieves their own personal success.”
Coach Bios
Lorie Charbonneau
Lorie is an ISU Junior World & Junior Grand Prix Coach who has coached skaters to state, regional, national and international success. Her passion, dedication, continuing education and attention to detail allow each athlete to achieve their skating goals.
After a successful amateur competitive career, Lorie toured as a professional skater with the Ice Follies. She began coaching in Canada in 1981 where she had her first national and international competitors.
· PSA Master Rated Professional Coach
· PSA Ranked Level V ISU International Coach
· 2010 Coaching Manitoba Excellence Award Nominee
· 1997 Skate Canada Manitoba Coach of the Year
· Founder and Owner Go4Gold Skating Academy, LLC
Kate Charbonneau Shurts
Kate Charbonneau Shurts has been coaching since 2012 and is currently teaching in the Minneapolis, MN area (FSC of Bloomington). She has also been teaching learn-to-skate classes since 2008. Kate is the 2009 Canadian Junior Ladies Champion, a Junior Grand Prix silver medalist (Croatia Cup in 2009), and a World Junior competitor. She also competed in the 2010 Canadian Olympic trials where she placed 7th.
In 2014-2015, Kate was the head coach of Tyringe Konstokning Klub in Sweden where she had students medal at international events and compete at the Swedish National Championships. She has also been the head and assistant coach to international competitors from Slovakia, multiple Minnesota state champions, and multiple USFS Gold Medalists in Freestyle, Dance and Moves in the Field.
Christian Conte
Christian Conte (Chris) has been coaching and choreographing since 1992. As one of the first U.S. coaches to utilize Dartfish video analysis software, he is renowned as one of the foremost specialists in video analysis, feedback and jump development. He holds a PSA level five ranking (international coach) and is the Director of Technical Development at the new Go4Gold Skating Academy in Bloomington, MN.
Chris has served as a team coach and/or consultant to four different World and Olympic coaches. He has worked directly with several World and Olympic medalists and multiple ISU medalists from USA, Japan, Russia, Canada and South Korea. He has head coached skaters to medals in Intermediate, Novice and Junior levels at the US National Championships.
Chris is also a well-known choreographer. He has choreographed and created full professional ice shows as well as solos for skaters in Stars on Ice and other NBC telecasts. He was a principle performer with Disney On Ice and Ice Capades, performed with Ice Theater of New York and The Next Ice Age, and created innovative competitive programs for ISU skaters from the U.S., Japan, South Korea, Mexico and India.
Chris is a sought after seminar presenter with Grassroots to Champions, Champion Development, and his own “Perfect Practice” seminars. He has been awarded Video series of the Year three times on Icoachskating.com. For more info, visit his website at www.chrisconte.com.
Debbie Warne-Jacobsen
Debbie Warne-Jacobsen is a National level figure skating coach with a special interest in development and creating strong technique and foundation for competitive figure skaters at all levels. She is a U.S. Figure Skating and Professional Skater's Association Member Coach. She has coached Regional, Sectional and Minnesota State champions and medalists, U.S. National competitors and U.S. Figure Skating Gold Medalists.
As a skater, she trained at the Broadmoor Skating Club under Olympic coaches Carlo and Christa Fassi. She coaches freestyle, moves in the field, electric spinner, off ice jump technique, conditioning and off ice jump harness in a private or group setting. She loves working with all levels and ages from beginners through advanced level competitors, tots to adults.
Caryn Kadavy
Personal Background
Extensive experience in performance, technique, choreography and an individualized coaching approach. Committed to successful skill and performance development of young skaters in order to advance their skating achievements and inspire their appreciation and love of the sport.
Specialization
Freestyle
Moves in the Field
Jumps
Spins
Choreography
Professional Background/Experience
Professional Figure Skater, Coach and Choreographer
PSA Rated – Certified Freestyle
PSA Rated – Certified Sport Science
Achievements
1995-1988 United States Ladies Figure Skating Silver & Bronze Medalist
1987 World Figure Skating Ladies Bronze Medalist
1988 United States Olympic Figure Skating Team Member – Calgary, Canada
Seven-Tme Professional Skating Competition Champion
2007 Professional Skating Association Sonja Henie Award
Double USFS Gold Medalist – Figures & Freeskate
Pre-Gold Dance Medalist
Garrett Kling
Garrett Kling, a PSA Master Rated Choreographer, is thrilled to be part of the Go4Gold team. He has choreographed for beginners through Olympic competitors around the world, which includes 5 continents and 10 countries. He is the Co-Executive Director of American Ice Theatre and conducts seminars around the country. You can find more information at garrettkling.com.
Kim Ryan Lewis
Kim is an acclaimed spin specialist and has been coaching for more than 40 years. A National and International coach, Kim’s “Spinergy” Clinic series brings her unique spin specialization techniques to skaters and coaches around the world.
Kim’s teaching philosophy focuses on an energetic and supportive approach to help skaters reach their maximum potential. A former national competitive skater, she understands the commitment and dedication required to achieve figure skating goals.
Kim has coached Regional, Sectional, Jr. National, and International competitors and has successfully taken skaters through Senior test levels of Figures, Freestyle, and Moves in the Field. She is PSA rated, a PSA presenter, and was nominated for PSA Coach of the Year in 2015.
Sheila Thelen
Sheila Thelen is a rotational and spin specialist at the Go4GoldSkatingAcademy. As a presenter at national and international conferences, she brings 3 decades of high level training experience and products to our team. You'll find Sheila very easy to work with and skaters always enjoy her lessons. Her products include:
Champion Skating Harnesses
Champion Cords (patented)
Champion Electric Spinner
Champion Developmental Seminars
Matthew Matsuura
Matthew Matsuura is a Certified Personal Trainer with over 20 years of coaching experience. A founding partner of Etrain LLC, he specialized in helping clients achieve lasting results through personalized training and expert guidance. He has now teamed up with Go4Gold Skating Academy to provide high-performance athletic training and support for skaters pursuing excellence on and off the ice.
Jessica Robeck
Bio here.