Staff Coach Spotlight: Lorna Brown – Artistry, Movement & Storytelling on Ice
At Skating Edge Ice Arena, our coaching staff represents a wide range of disciplines, experience, and teaching philosophies — all united by a shared goal: helping skaters grow with confidence, purpose, and creativity.
In this installment of our Staff Coach Spotlight series, we’re highlighting an instructor whose work brings a distinct and deeply artistic perspective to the ice: Lorna Brown, founder of Skate of the Art.
Known for her refined eye, expressive choreography, and storytelling-driven approach, Lorna brings an extraordinary depth of experience to Skating Edge — offering skaters access to a level of artistry rarely found in everyday training environments.
A Career Rooted in Movement and Expression
Lorna’s journey began long before she ever stepped onto the ice as a coach. With early training in dance — including ballet, modern, and contemporary movement — she developed a strong foundation in musicality, interpretation, and body awareness. That background became a defining influence throughout her skating career.
She went on to compete internationally for over a decade, eventually turning professional and winning the World Professional Championships. From there, her career expanded into the world of professional ice shows, where she spent years performing as a principal skater and soloist in productions across Europe, North America, and major theatrical venues — including London’s West End, Broadway, and international touring companies.
This extensive performance background continues to shape her coaching today, grounding her work in theatrical quality, intention, and emotional connection.
From the World Stage to the Rink: Teaching Through Story
What sets Lorna apart is not just her technical knowledge, but how she approaches skating as an art form. Her choreography often begins with an idea — an emotion, a poem, a life experience, or inspiration drawn from nature and science. From there, movement evolves organically, allowing skaters to interpret music with authenticity rather than simply “hitting elements.”
Her work has been featured extensively with Ice Theatre of New York, under the direction of founder and artistic director Moira North, who has been exceptionally supportive of Lorna’s choreography. Through this collaboration, Lorna’s work has been presented internationally including, New York, London and Melbourne as well as promoted widely through online platforms and YouTube.
Many of the skaters Lorna has worked with have gone on to perform professionally, carrying those artistic foundations with them throughout their careers.
Why Artistry Matters — Especially for Young Skaters
While Lorna works with advanced and professional-level skaters, she is equally passionate about introducing artistry early in a skater’s development.
She believes that learning choreography and expressive movement from the beginning helps skaters:
Develop stronger musical awareness
Build confidence and presence on the ice
Create programs that feel complete, not just technical
Avoid burnout by staying connected to why they skate
“Artistry and technique aren’t separate — every program has a beginning, middle, and end, just like a story.”
Rather than separating artistry from technique, her philosophy weaves them together — encouraging skaters to understand that every program has a beginning, middle, and end, much like a story.
This approach helps skaters of all ages develop not just skills, but identity and intention.
Technical Excellence & Coaching Leadership
In addition to her artistic work, Lorna is also a highly accomplished technical coach. She previously served as the National and Olympic Coach for Denmark, bringing elite-level experience and international perspective to her teaching.
This combination of technical expertise and artistic vision allows Lorna to guide skaters holistically — supporting both precision and performance quality at the highest level.
Why Skating Edge
Lorna has called Skating Edge Ice Arena home for many years, drawn to the rink’s character, community feel, and commitment to supporting diverse coaching styles. She values environments that prioritize authenticity and creativity alongside structure — and believes that when skaters feel inspired and supported, their growth accelerates naturally.
Her presence adds another layer to Skating Edge’s coaching ecosystem, offering skaters and families access to a wide spectrum of training philosophies under one roof.
Interested in Working with Lorna Brown?
Lorna Brown offers private skating instruction and choreography through Skate of the Art, with a focus on artistry, movement quality, musical interpretation, and high-level performance development.
Skaters and families interested in learning more about Lorna’s coaching approach or exploring choreography opportunities are encouraged to reach out directly:
The strength of Skating Edge lies in its people. Our Staff Coach Spotlight series celebrates the diverse expertise within our coaching team — from foundational skill development to elite-level artistry and performance.
If you’re interested in learning more about our instructors, coaching styles, or finding the right fit for your skater’s goals, we invite you to explore our full coaching staff and discover the many pathways available at Skating Edge Ice Arena.
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