Aaron-Taylor (Tate) Austin, Head Coach
Tate, who has been assistant coach of the teams since 2002, is Head Coach. Tate and Jenny Lee led the teams for several years with medal winning programs and coaching. Both the Youth Intro and Junior Classic teams have achieved many medals over the past seasons. Last year was the junior open's team best-ever season, as they won four gold medals, and the bronze medal at the Empire State Games.
Tate was previously a national competitior in ice dance, partiipating in the 2000 and 2001 US. Figure Skating Championships and the North Atlantic Regional Championships. In addition to coaching the synchronized teams, Tate is a professional coach with the Genesee Figure Skating Club.
Tate is in his final year at RIT, studying Business and Marketing.
Allyssa LaPlaca, Assistant Coach
Allyssa, a seven year veteran with the Genesee Express, joins as as Assistant Coach for the Juvenile and Beginner teams. Allyssa has been an instructor at area Learn to Skate programs since 1998. Allyssa has trained in free style, ice dance and Moves in the Field, and has had the opportunity to train with Yuka Sato and other Olympic coaches.
Allyssa received her associates degree from MCC and is continuing her study toward a degree in physical therapy.
The skaters and families welcome the coaches and look forward to another great season of synchronized skating.