Jane Elizabeth Taylor
Professional Skating Instructor
Jane Elizabeth Taylor began skating at the age of 10 at the Martha’s Vineyard Arena. As an amateur, she competed throughout New England and trained extensively in Lake Placid, NY. While earning her undergraduate degree, Jane competed for the University of Delaware. She is a four-time eastern conference champion and a four-time collegiate national medalist, including gold medals in 2000 and 2002.
Jane is a U.S. Figure Skating gold medalist and a rated & ranked member of the Professional Skaters Association. She serves as a ratings examiner for the Professional Skaters Association. She holds registered ratings in free skating & group instruction, a Hockey III rating and a Level I ranking. Jane holds a master rating in moves in the field. She coaches skaters of all ages & abilities and has guest coached all over the United States. She is the coach of USFS silver medalists, single gold medalists, double gold medalists and triple gold medalists within USFS’s testing structure. Jane was part of the first generation of collegiate skating and is very proud to watch her former (but still current) skaters compete for their collegiate teams at their respective colleges & universities: Connecticut College, Dartmouth College, Stonehill College, Fairfield University, Denver University and Harvard College. Jane directs the Skating School of Martha’s Vineyard’s summer program, which encompasses all levels of figure skating and hockey power & skating skills. She also directs MVFSC’s Bridge & Freestyle programs and has worked with the MVRHS boys & girls ice hockey teams. She coaches hockey players in junior leagues, PG years and D1 & D3 schools. Like with her figure skaters, Jane enjoys watching many of her hockey players during their seasons at their respective colleges and universities: Nichols College, Wilkes University, University of New England and Trinity College. Off the ice, Jane is a four-time marathoner and teaches health education at the Tisbury School. She holds a B.A. from the University of Delaware and an M.Ed. from Fitchburg State University. When she’s not running, teaching or coaching, she enjoys reading, traveling, going to the beach and spending time with her two nieces.
Jane is a U.S. Figure Skating gold medalist and a rated & ranked member of the Professional Skaters Association. She serves as a ratings examiner for the Professional Skaters Association. She holds registered ratings in free skating & group instruction, a Hockey III rating and a Level I ranking. Jane holds a master rating in moves in the field. She coaches skaters of all ages & abilities and has guest coached all over the United States. She is the coach of USFS silver medalists, single gold medalists, double gold medalists and triple gold medalists within USFS’s testing structure. Jane was part of the first generation of collegiate skating and is very proud to watch her former (but still current) skaters compete for their collegiate teams at their respective colleges & universities: Connecticut College, Dartmouth College, Stonehill College, Fairfield University, Denver University and Harvard College. Jane directs the Skating School of Martha’s Vineyard’s summer program, which encompasses all levels of figure skating and hockey power & skating skills. She also directs MVFSC’s Bridge & Freestyle programs and has worked with the MVRHS boys & girls ice hockey teams. She coaches hockey players in junior leagues, PG years and D1 & D3 schools. Like with her figure skaters, Jane enjoys watching many of her hockey players during their seasons at their respective colleges and universities: Nichols College, Wilkes University, University of New England and Trinity College. Off the ice, Jane is a four-time marathoner and teaches health education at the Tisbury School. She holds a B.A. from the University of Delaware and an M.Ed. from Fitchburg State University. When she’s not running, teaching or coaching, she enjoys reading, traveling, going to the beach and spending time with her two nieces.
Beth Blankenship O'Connor
Professional Skating Instructor
.jpeg)
Beth O’Connor is a native to the Vineyard and began skating at the age of nine. Throughout her skating career, Beth won numerous medals at competitions and was invited to participate in many ice skating shows with skaters such as Paul Wylie, Nancy Kerrigan and Todd Elderedge. In 1997, Beth received a BA in Mathematics and a minor in Sports Medicine and Secondary Education from Merrimack College. After college, Beth pursued her dream of becoming a show skater and worked for Busch Gardens, Tampa, FL., Advanced Entertainment Group, Ice Capades, and Rosstyn Ice Shows and Rink Designs. These jobs allowed her to travel all over North America and the Caribbean.
Beth is a full-time coach with the skating club since 2004 and is the director of the Martha’s Vineyard Pre-School Skating Program and the club’s Learn to Skate USA program. Beth is a member of US Ice Rink Association, USA Hockey the Professional Skaters Association (PSA). She holds ratings as a Certified Program Director and Group Instructor, Registered Moves In The Field, Hockey III rating and a Level I ranking with PSA. She has her Level 3 USA hockey certificate as well. She coaches with the MV Youth Hockey House Mites and Instructional program.
She is the mother of three children, 12 year old Mabel and 11 year old twin boys, Luke and Cooper.
Beth is a full-time coach with the skating club since 2004 and is the director of the Martha’s Vineyard Pre-School Skating Program and the club’s Learn to Skate USA program. Beth is a member of US Ice Rink Association, USA Hockey the Professional Skaters Association (PSA). She holds ratings as a Certified Program Director and Group Instructor, Registered Moves In The Field, Hockey III rating and a Level I ranking with PSA. She has her Level 3 USA hockey certificate as well. She coaches with the MV Youth Hockey House Mites and Instructional program.
She is the mother of three children, 12 year old Mabel and 11 year old twin boys, Luke and Cooper.