Payton is a quadruple USFSA Gold Medalist in Skating Skills (formerly Moves in the Field), Ice Dance, Singles (formerly Freestyle), and Senior Solo Free Dance, as well as a CFSA Gold Medalist in Ice Dance. She’s also an Empire State Games Medalist, State Games of America Qualifier, North Atlantic Regional competitor, National Showcase competitor, Middle Atlantic Championships competitor, and a Lake Placid Championship competitor. During my competitive career, she also trained extensively in both Lake Placid, NY, and Toronto, Canada.

She was coached under Lisa Ervin, Mary Emes, Tommy Litz, Jessica Clark (Roswell), Russell Green, David Cian, and Kara Mietlicki. She has also had the privilege of training with Robert O’Toole, Kami Netri, Bobbie Shire, and Paula Wagner.

Payton has coached skaters to medals at the Excel National Final & Festival, the State Games of America, and has also coached skaters to their USFSA Gold Medals (one of the highest honors in figure skating) in Skating Skills.

She’s also a trained dancer adept in ballet, modern, jazz, lyrical, hip-hop, and contemporary. She’s trained with the American Academy of Ballet and Dance in Buffalo, NY; Rebecca Guile of LIV; the Chautauqua Institute with Patricia McBride; and had the privilege of learning from teachers who have trained and performed with the School of American Ballet in NYC; the Joffrey Ballet School; Nevada Dance Theater; American Festival Ballet; Lexington Ballet; and Arkansas Ballet.

Additional Information: Payton has her BS in Advertising and Marketing Communications from the Fashion Institute of Technology and a Minor in English with an Emphasis in Writing. She enjoys writing, photography, dance, yoga, and watching old movies in her free time.

Coaching Philosophy:

My coaching is centered around a goal-driven, individualized approach. I work closely with each skater to understand what they want to achieve—whether it’s competitive success, skill development, testing milestones, or personal fulfillment—and then build a tailored plan to get them there.

By breaking big goals into strategic, achievable steps, I help skaters stay motivated, confident, and connected to their purpose in the sport. My role is to support who they want to become, not define it for them—creating a training environment that is positive, focused, and aligned with each skater’s unique path.