Jimmy Kuo is an ice-skating coach, consultant, technician and choreographer based in the New Hampshire Seacoast area. For over 15 years, Jimmy has had the privilege of working with figure skaters and hockey players of all ages and levels from around the world. Previously, Jimmy lived and worked in New Zealand and Canada.

Skating lessons and off-ice training sessions are offered in-person and online. In-person skating lessons are held at Dover Ice Arena and The Rinks at Exeter, whereas in-person off-ice training lessons occur at Jimmy’s home dance studio. Online lessons are conducted via Zoom or FaceTime, and students can choose to be either on- or off-ice during these lessons. 

What sets Jimmy apart is his holistic understanding of biomechanics, emphasizing the correct alignment and functioning of the body and mind. With his keen skills of observation and his clear instructions, Jimmy has been able to identify and address hidden issues that skaters had been experiencing for years before coming to him.

Jimmy’s skating theory, filled with unique and effective concepts, stems from his personal journey to health and well-being. At the age of 14, Jimmy suffered a serious hip injury that ended his competitive skating career and prevented him from engaging in everyday activities without pain. No longer able to force moves through sheer strength, Jimmy immersed himself in extensive research and rigorous experimentation to relearn even the most basic skating maneuvers. These experiences instilled in Jimmy a passion for always finding a better way to do things, as he continually questions commonly held beliefs and even regularly challenges his own current understanding.

It is Jimmy’s mission to help students skate with physical alignment that benefits their body, with inner peace that nourishes their mind and with passion that feeds their soul. 

If you are interested in learning to skate or in becoming a better skater, please click here to schedule a lesson.

Certifications:

  • Certified USFS (U.S. Figure Skating) coach
  • World Figure Sport Educator
  • ABRSM (Associated Board of the Royal Schools of Music) Grade 8 Piano 
  • New Zealand schoolteacher certificate (2017)

Education:

  • BSc in Biomedical Science (University of Auckland)
  • MA in Ministry (Biblical Theological Seminary)
  • Master of Teaching (University of Auckland)

Expertise:

  • Compulsory and creative figures (clean tracings over the ice for development of inner peace and body-mind connection and alignment)
  • Moves in the field/skating skills (Effortless ice coverage with seamless transitions)
  • Multi-rotational jumps (soaring jumps that flow in and out with rotations completed well-before the landing)  
  • Spins (centered revolutions defying friction)
  • Choreography (creating meaningful and intentional movements that express the music)
  • Ballet (movements that breathe through the articulation of every muscle and joint, big and small)
  • Pilates (free expressive arms and legs supported by core stability and strength) 
  • Alexander Technique (cascading effects of the position of the skull over the spine) 
  • Music editing (creating a seamless piece of music for choreography)
  • Teaching/Education (utilizing various learning theories and modalities to foster a balanced, personalized learning environment) 

Accomplishments:

  • 2021 World Figure & Fancy Skating Championships Men’s Bronze Medalist 
  • 2004 New Zealand National Figure Skating Primary Men’s Gold Medalist
  • Landed his first quadruple Salchow jump on 21 August 2004

Former coaches and teachers:

  • Gordon Rushton (a student of Olympic coach, Dr. Hellmut May)
  • Irina Voroninskaya (Ukrainian National Junior Ice Dancing Champion, a student of Olympic coach, Tatiana Tarasova)
  • Jack (Principle dancer with Shanghai ballet and guest soloist with New Zealand Royal Ballet) 

Teaching philosophy:

  • Teaching is a two-way street. Instructors teach in order to learn and learn in order to teach, and so a teacher never stops learning.  
  • Students are not empty vessels to be filled. They come ready with a wealth of relevant knowledge and experiences that teachers need to identify and utilize for teaching and learning. 
  • Celebrating small successes helps students build the confidence necessary for major breakthroughs   
  • Treating every student like an Olympian; giving all students the same rigorous instruction that would be given to high-level competitive skaters.

Professional Development:

  • Jump and spin techniques of Gustave Lussi (coach of skating legends, such as Dick Button and Dorothy Hamill)
  • Ice dancing technique of Nathalia Dubova (renowned Olympic coach)  
  • Figures with Karen Courtland Kelly (Olympian and President of World Figure Society)
  • Ballet techniques of Finis Jhung (teacher and former ABT dancer)

Other professional experience:

  • Singer-songwriter
  • Children’s pastor 
  • Private tutor (piano, violin, singing, math, science) 
  • Teacher’s aide 
  • Volunteer with the elderly 

Languages:

  • English (fluent) 
  • Mandarin Chinese (fluent)
  • French (proficient)