Jane Taylor

Director of the Skating School of Martha’s Vineyard’s summer program, MVFSC’s Bridge, Aspire & Freestyle programs 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 and ranked member of USFS.  She holds a registered rating in free skating, a Hockey IV rating and a Level I ranking.  Jane holds master ratings in moves in the field/skating skills and group instruction and serves as a ratings examiner.  She coaches skaters of all ages and abilities and has guest coached all over the United States. She is the coach of USFS silver medalists, single gold medalists, double gold medalistsand triple gold medalists within USFS’s testing structure.  Being part of the first generation of collegiate skaters, Jane is proud to coach this generation, having sent skaters to Connecticut College, Stonehill College, Fairfield University, Dartmouth College, Denver University, Harvard College, University of California at San Diego and Liberty University.  Two of her athletes have competed at the US Collegiate National Championships. 

Jane directs the Skating School of Martha’s Vineyard’s summer program, MVFSC’s Bridge, Aspire and Freestyle programs and has worked with the MVRHS boys and girls ice hockey teams.  She has coached hockey players in junior leagues, PG years and D1 and D3 schools.  

This is the 16th MVFSC ice show that Jane has been part of the directorship team for and she is excited to share her love of the sport with fellow MVFSC coaches and instructors, our current skaters and future generations of skaters. She would like to congratulate all the skaters for a great season and thank them and their families for their continued support of our skating program and our arena.

Off the ice, Jane teaches health education at the Tisbury School.  She holds a B.A. from the University of Delaware, an M.Ed. from Fitchburg State University and an M.A. from Assumption University in Worcester.  When she’s not at school or on the ice, Jane enjoys traveling, reading, going to the beach and spending time with her two nieces.

Beth Blankenship O'Connor

Beth O’Connor is a native to the Vineyard and began skating at the age of nine.   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.  She also met many friends from all over the world that she is still in contact with today.

This is Beth’s 33^rd year teaching and 22^nd year as a full-time coach with the skating club. She 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, and US Figure Skating. She holds ratings as a Level 1 Skating Skills, Level 2 Program Director & Group Instructor, Hockey IV rating with US Figure Skating and a Level 4 Ranking with USA Hockey. She coaches the MV Youth Hockey House Mites and is the director of the Learn to Play program. This past May, she traveled to Milwaukee to the NARCE conference and received her second Skating Director Program certificate with US Figure Skating.

She is the mother of three children, 14-year-old Mabel and 13-year-old twin boys, Luke and Cooper. When not on the ice, Beth is involved in many of her children’s activities.