The natural progression from competitive roller skater to teacher/coach came fairly early for me. I got married during college (graphic arts and fashion design major) and couldn’t afford to compete, so I “turned pro” and enjoyed a successful professional teaching career for over 20 years. The majority of my teaching career was in Texas, and also included rink operation, marketing, and eventually became the springboard for my second career as a fashion designer specializing in skating and dancing costumes. The connecting link in all of my career moves was my love of roller skating, but when my husband and I retired in 2013 and moved to a ranch in North Texas, I was removed from the sport because of the distance to the nearest roller rink. So imagine my delight when we finally moved to the NE Tacoma area in 2021 to be close to our youngest daughter and I found roller skating again! 

So now as a retired person looking for a cause to support, and finally with the time to dedicate to that cause, I’ve decided to follow my heart and find ways to promote my beloved sport and bring people together through roller skating. My mission has always been to instill the love of movement with music, provide a challenging and satisfying physical outlet for people of all ages and abilities, and promote inclusion through the shared love of a sport. 

Amateur competitive experience:

National Competitor 1964 – 1974 in Artistic Skating (freestyle, figures, dance) and Speed Skating (individual and relay events). Gold Medal holder in roller dance skating. 

Teaching Experience:

1974 – 1980: Big Wheel Skateland, Arlington, TX (Luther Bernstein, Operator)

1980 – 1982: Head Pro, Forum Roller World, Grand Prairie, TX (Luther Bernstein, Operator)

1982 – 1984: Skating School Director, Skate Station, Anaheim, CA (Skate Management, Inc)

1984 – 1987: Professional Teacher, Skatin’ Place, Irving, TX (Ralph Barker, Operator)

1987 – 1989: Professional Teacher/Club Coach, Texas Skatium, TX (Mary Hannah Warren, Operator)

1989 – 1997: Freelance choreographer and guest instructor for North Texas area skating clubs

Specializations:

Qualified to teach all levels of roller skating; specializing in International-style dance, freestyle, choreography, and dance styling.

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“Real-world” Career Experience:

College and post-college: Freelance graphic artist, specializing in fashion illustration, web design and design for print.

Marketing Communications, Fort Worth Convention & Visitors Bureau, Fort Worth, TX

Communications Director, HFDC Inc. (Home Interiors), Fort Worth, TX

Private Label Childrenswear Designer, Globestar, Inc, Southlake, TX

Owner and designer of bridal and special occasion apparel and accessories, The Star Garden, Richland Hills, TX

President, designer for couture apparel specializing in skating, dancing and performance, SewellDesigns, LLC, Hurst, TX

Fashion design and illustration, graphic design, web design, product development, SewellArts, Hurst, TX