Meet Payton
About
I’m 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. I’m 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, I also trained extensively in both Lake Placid, NY and Toronto, Canada.
I was coached under Lisa Ervin, Mary Emes, Tommy Litz, Jessica Clark (Roswell), Russell Green, David Cian, and Kara Mietlicki. I’ve also had the privilege of training with Robert O’Toole, Kami Netri, Bobbie Shire, and Paula Wagner.
I’ve coached skaters to medals at the Excel National Final & Festival and the State Games of America, and have also coached skaters to their USFS Gold Medals (one of the highest honors in figure skating) in Skating Skills.
I’m also a trained dancer adept in ballet, modern, jazz, lyrical, hip-hop, and contemporary. I’ve trained with the American Academy of Ballet and Dance in Buffalo, NY, Rebecca Guile of LIV, the Chautauqua Institute, and had the privilege of learning from teachers who have trained and performed with the School of American Ballet, the Joffrey Ballet School, Nevada Dance Theater, American Festival Ballet, Lexington Ballet, and Arkansas Ballet.
Additional Information: I have my BS in Advertising and Marketing Communications from the Fashion Institute of Technology and a Minor in English with an Emphasis in Writing. I enjoy writing, photography, dance, yoga, and watching old movies in my free time.
Experience
Private Instructor since 2014
Learn to Skate Instructor since 2014
Coaches Singles (Freestyle), Skating Skills (formerly Moves in the Field), Ice Dance, Style, Edges, Showcase, and Power Skating
Choreographer for all levels (Snowplow-Senior) since 2016
Coached skaters to medals at the Excel National Final and the State Games of America
Creator, Director, and Head Choreographer for the “Skating Under the Sun Showcase” (2022-Present)
Coached skaters to USFS Gold Medal in Skating Skills (the highest honor in figure skating)
Assistant Director and Choreographer for the “Rising Stars on Ice Show” (2018)
Trained Dancer and Instructor in Classical Ballet, Jazz, Lyrical, Hip-Hop, and Contemporary (trained with Rebecca Guile of LIV, the Chautauqua Institute, and the American Academy of Ballet)
Other Choreography Experience - 8 years experience setting competitive and show programs (Snowplow Sam-Senior IJS/Excel, as well as Ice Dance), Canalside 2017 “Tree Lighting Ceremony Opening Number,” “Pink the Rink” Event (Performer/Choreographer, 2018), Clinton FSC “Fantasy on Ice Show” (Performer/Choreographer, 2018, 2019), Canalside’s “Chillabration” (Choreographer and Performer, 2018)
Private and Group Instructor (Beginner-Advanced) for the Ice Skating School with Melissa Gregory and Denis Petukhov in NYC
Skate Great “Hockey Edge” instructor since 2020
Member of the Ice Theater of New York
Skate Great - Buffalo, NY
Private coach and Learn to Skate instructor for levels Snowplow-Senior
Creator, Director, and Head Choreographer for the “Skating Under the Sun Showcase”
Skating Club of Western New York - Buffalo, NY
Private coach for Singles, Skating Skills, and style/artistry
Choreographer for levels Snowplow-Senior
Genesee Figure Skating Club - Rochester, NY
Private coach for Singles, Skating Skills, and style/artistry
Consultant coach for Ice Dance (Pre-Bronze-Gold)
Choreographer for levels Snowplow-Senior
Ice Skating School with Melissa Gregory and Denis Petuhkov - NYC, NY
Private and group instructor (Beginner-Advanced)
American Academy of Ballet - Buffalo, NY
Instructor and dancer adept in ballet, lyrical, contemporary, jazz, and hip-hop (Beginner-Advanced)
Credentials
Payton is a member of the United States Figure Skating Association and certified under “Coach I.C.E.” In addition, Payton has attended the following educational seminars:
● Kami Netri Seminar - Buffalo, NY (2017)
