our leadership:
ashley
carlson
founder & director
Ashley Carlson is an American synchronized skating coach, consultant, and choreographer with just under 30 years in the sport and over a decade of experience coaching elite athletes at the Senior, Junior, and Collegiate levels. A former Team USA coach, she led Adrian College’s varsity synchronized skating program to multiple national and international podium finishes. She also coached Team USA at international competitions in Austria, Croatia, England, France, Italy, Scotland, Sweden, and Switzerland.
Since transitioning from full-time coaching, Ashley has worked with teams across various divisions, from Adult and Masters teams to those competing at the ISU World Synchronized Skating Championships. She also specializes in recruitment, digital marketing, and positive sport psychology consulting for teams worldwide.
As an athlete, Ashley competed in synchronized skating for nearly two decades, earning four U.S. Championships medals, including a gold in the Adult division with the Crystallettes in 2009. She also was a member of the Club Synchronized Skating Team and Intercollegiate Figure Skating Team at Miami University.
Off the ice, Ashley holds a Master’s degree in Positive Coaching and Athletic Leadership from the University of Missouri and a Bachelor’s degree in Speech Communication from Miami University. She currently resides in Richmond, Virginia, with her husband, Ryan, and their son, Cooper.
victoria smith
Assistant director, Canada
Victoria is a Canadian synchronized skating coach and choreographer currently coaching at NEXXICE Synchronized Skating Teams and Trinity Skating Academy in Ontario. A former Team Canada member for nearly a decade, she competed in numerous world championships and ISU events, including winning the 2015 World Synchronized Skating Championships with NEXXICE Senior. She also earned two world medals and three Canadian titles.
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Since transitioning to coaching in 2015, Victoria has worked with national teams like Team France (Chrysalides), Team Turkey (Vizyon), and Team Great Britain (Zariba). She also coached Team USA’s Adrian College senior team to their first podium finish at the US Championships and led Canada’s first Senior Elite 12 team to national team status and a podium finish at their first ISU event, along with a national title in 2024.
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Off the ice, Victoria holds a BA from the University of Guelph and a TEFL certification from the University of Toronto. She became a Skate Canada certified national coach and earned her Chartered Professional Coach designation in 2024.
Why did we start this camp?
This camp was created out of a deep love for adult synchronized skating and a commitment to providing adult athletes with the same opportunities typically reserved for youth skaters. The idea first took shape through a conversation between Ashley Carlson and one of her closest friends—a former teammate from her competitive adult days.
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Ashley’s coaching journey also began with an open adult team—one she skated on herself—so creating a space dedicated to adult synchro felt like a natural next step. Some of her most memorable competitive experiences were as an adult skater, and she knows many other adult athletes share that same passion and dedication to the sport.
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When the idea for the camp started to take form, it only made sense to bring Victoria Smith on board as Assistant Director. Ashley first met Victoria heading into the 2021-2022 season and hired her as an associate coach. The two quickly realized they shared the same values, principles, and lifelong love for synchronized skating. Even after moving beyond full-time coaching, they have remained close, making this partnership a natural fit. Beyond their friendship and shared vision, having both Ashley (USA) and Victoria (Canada) involved gives the camp a true North American feel.
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Ashley’s recent consulting work with KC MOMENTUM and Victoria's coaching with Trinity has further reinforced for them just how vibrant, dedicated, and positive the adult synchronized skating community is. Their experiences have highlighted the need for more spaces where adult athletes can grow, connect, and celebrate the sport they love.
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At its core, this camp is about synchro, community, and fun—on and off the ice. It was designed to create a welcoming and inclusive environment where adult athletes can challenge themselves, build friendships, and be part of something truly special. It’s exactly the kind of opportunity Ashley and Victoria wish had existed when they were competing, and they are excited to bring it to life for today’s adult synchro athletes.
Ashley and Victoria celebrate leading Adrian College Varsity SST to a podium-finish at the 2022 U.S. Synchronized Skating National Championships in the Senior Division (above). Ashley and Victoria (along with Brandon Forsyth) led Adrian College to medals in both the Senior and Collegiate divisions in 2022. (below).
