Our Mission: The Phoenix coaches at the Onyx Suburban Skating Academy focus on building a solid foundation for all divisions. The goal is to provide a training ground for skaters to progress through the levels of synchronized skating, ultimately arriving at the pinnacle of the sport, the Senior Division. Our objective is to cultivate teams that are highly competitive around the world, have them train and compete as elite athletes who consistently perform at a level that allows them to be ranked & recognized as world-class teams. Each of our coaches continues to develop new and innovative ideas with Phoenix Synchronized Skating team programs that will propel the sport to even higher levels of excellence. Jeannine Weinschrod
Jeannine Weinschrod is the Director of Phoenix Synchronized Skating Teams at the Onyx – Suburban Skating Academy in Rochester, Michigan. Prior to her position with Phoenix Synchronized Skating Teams, Jeannine was the Director of Synchronized Skating at the Detroit Skating Club of Bloomfield Hills, Michigan since the inception of Team Élan in 1991. During her tenure as Director, Team Élan won 18 United States Synchronized Skating Championships, and teams under her direction as Head Coach won 9 of these national titles. She has been involved with national medal winning teams since 1983, coaching various levels, with her specialty at the senior level.
Jeannine Weinschrod has her Master Rating in Synchronized Skating through the Professional Skaters Association (PSA). She has Level 6 Ranking from PSA that is awarded to coaches in recognition of successful performances by their skaters at World and Olympic levels. Jeannine serves as Coach Representative on the U.S. Figure Skating Sports Science and Medicine Committee, Membership Committee and served on the Board of Directors of U.S. Figure Skating from 1999 – 2002. Jeannine was named Synchronized Skating Coach of the Year in 2004. In April 2008, Jeannine spent 15 days as a member of the faculty traveling to Cape Town, South Africa to participate in a developmental program for all disciplines of skating. Jeannine specifically focused on the development of Synchronized Skating for the South African Federation. Prior to her involvement in synchronized skating, Jeannine skated with the Ice Capades from 1980 through 1982. She joined America on Ice in 1982 and performed as a member of the cast in Japan.
Helene Wolf
Helene Wolf was formerly the Developmental Director and coach for Team Élan. Helene Wolf’s teams have earned twelve U.S National medals and four National Championships. She has experience coaching in the Youth, Preliminary, Juvenile, Intermediate, Novice, Junior and Adult divisions. Helene is PSA Master Rated in Synchronized Skating, Group Instruction and Moves in the Field with Senior Ratings in Freestyle and Program Director. She also holds a Level IV Ranking with the Professional Skating Association. Helene is the Skating Director at Suburban Ice-Macomb and Co-Director of the Onyx-Suburban Skating Academy.
Hazel Murphy-Dodson
Hazel Murphy-Dodson is a recognized Level Two Skate Canada - National Coaches Certified Program Instructor with a
Kelly Zavsza
Kelly Zavsza was a National level synchronized skater for over 7 years, earning medals at the Juvenile, Novice, Junior and Senior level. She also was synchronized skating International competitor and medalist. Kelly was a member of 2000 World Synchronized Skating team, coached by Jeannine (Cullen) Weinschrod. Kelly attends Oakland University, where she is finishing her Bachelor Degree’s in International Business and Spanish.