Ice Dance Coaches

[love2dance]

Does anybody know of a forum where there are classified ads, rinks looking for male ice dance coaches? My friend asked me help him find a rink that is looking for a coach, pretty much anywhere in the US, but he and I want to make sure we do not do anything unethical while looking for one... the rules are really strict, and the last thing he wants to do is step on anybody's toes. If anyone knows of a website, or a rink, or any information, I would really appreciate it!!!
Thanx
Love2Dance

[JDC1]

What about going through skating clubs to find out what rinks might need male ice dance coaches? Just curious why it matters if he's male or female, is it because he can partner the pupil in lessons? There's probably a list at the USFSA site of all the various skating clubs and he could probably email or write the chairs of the clubs.

[sonora]

Male ice dance coaches are a hot commodity. I believe the PSA magazine has coach wanted ads-you may want to order a copy.

What is his test level? What is his experience?

[IceDanceSk8er]

Originally posted by love2dance
Does anybody know of a forum where there are classified ads, rinks looking for male ice dance coaches? My friend asked me help him find a rink that is looking for a coach, pretty much anywhere in the US, but he and I want to make sure we do not do anything unethical while looking for one... the rules are really strict, and the last thing he wants to do is step on anybody's toes. If anyone knows of a website, or a rink, or any information, I would really appreciate it!!!
Thanx
Love2Dance

The easiest thing to do is to contact the PSA about ethics and proceed from there.

http://www.skatepsa.com/

[CanAmSk8ter]

Originally posted by JDC1
What about going through skating clubs to find out what rinks might need male ice dance coaches? Just curious why it matters if he's male or female, is it because he can partner the pupil in lessons?

Yes. In the beginning, it's easy enough for a girl to have a female coach teach her the dances and have a few lessons with a male coach before testing to get the partnering down. That's how we did it at my first club, anyway. There was only one male coach there, and he didn't have time to coach everybody. He only coached the more advanced skaters, while the kids beginning dance worked with one of the female coaches. For the first few tests, the standards aren't that high in regards to mastery of skating with a partner. From about the Bronze level on, most girls prefer to have a male coach with whom they partner on a regular basis. As the tests progress, not only to the dances become gradually more difficult, but the judges look for more and more competency with the partnering. At rinks with enough male coaches to go around, the girls almost always take from them.

[love2dance]

Originally posted by sonora
Male ice dance coaches are a hot commodity. I believe the PSA magazine has coach wanted ads-you may want to order a copy.

What is his test level? What is his experience?

I have a copy of the PSA magazine, and there were actually very few listings in there. He has passed his Senior MIF and Gold Dances, he's not American, and has competed internationally and nationally many times for his country. (He asked me not to give out too much information, so that's why I'm trying not to say too much!) He's had a lot of coaching experiance in his home country, and here he's worked mainly with adult dancers, although he's done some work with LTS and some lower level skaters, as well as higher level dancers, too.

Thank you all for your advice... if anybody else has any suggestions, please let me know!!!

Thanx
Love2Dance

[dooobedooo]

These things generally get done by word of mouth. Suggest you find out the name of the head coach (and/or manager) at a few selected rinks, and write to or ring them. My guess is your friend will be in great demand, especially at "dance-y" rinks.

If this does not work, how about an advertisement in the USFSA newsletter?

As he is not American, there may be issues with insurance, qualifications, visa, etc., but once you get a job offer they will help out with this. I do know of a number of British instructors (for example) who have been successful in the US.

[sonora]

Love2dance, if you would like to email me I will give you some specific contact information for some places I know need male dance coaches.

Your email through this system is disabled or I would email you.

[Skatewind]

http://www.skatepsa.com/home%20page.html

They have job placement ads listed under the section for PS Magazine

[Poohsk8s2]

I know that in CT there is a strong need for Ice Dance coaches as most of the coaches here are working with the elite level dnacers. We also have quite a few rinks that he can build his clientele from. He might want to look in this area.

Many of our coaches get started through the LTS programs, because this is where they meet new students with an interest.