About Us

The pursuit of excellence has been a hallmark of the Stoery family for generations, and has converged with a love of figure skating for over 60 years. What first began as an interest in skate sharpening grew into Samuel Stoery's apprenticeship with Olympic Champion Pierre Brunet to learn the art of skate sharpening. Skills and techniques which Jess Stoery continues use today to provide the Distinctive Edge difference.

Debbie Stoery

Debbie Stoery has over 35 years of teaching experience. Debbie has coached students to qualify for over 30 World/Jr. World/Internationals, over 30 US National/Jr. Nationals and 26 Midwestern Sectionals—producing over 200 medalists from the Regionals, Sectionals and Nationals to the Junior Worlds (’82 & ’01), as well as thousands of top three placements in USFS non-qualifying competitions.

Glenbrook North valedictorian (’70) and Northwestern University alumnae (’75), Debbie Stoery became the youngest coach to ever pass the highest rating of the Professional Skaters Association by achieving the Master Rating in Figures & Freestyle in 1976. She was the youngest coach on the US International Team in ’80, ’81, and ’83; and is one of a few coaches in the world to hold three of the highest ratings since she passed the Master in Choreography & Style in 1989 and the Master Rating in Moves in the Field in 1997. A recognized leader in utilizing sports science developments to maximize the progress, health and safety of her students, Debbie chaired the PSA Sports Science Committee for five years, was the first coach on the six member board of the US Figure Skating’s Sports Medicine Society, and currently serves on the PSA National Education Task Force.

In over 35 years of teaching, Debbie has coached students to qualify for over 30 World/Jr. World/Internationals, over 30 US National/Jr. Natls. and 26 Midwestern Sectionals—producing over 200 medalists from the Regionals, Sectionals and Nationals to the Junior Worlds (’82 & ’01), as well as thousands of top three placements in USFS non-qualifying competitions. In 2000, she was the only American singles coach of two US National Champions, and followed that distinction by becoming the only American singles coach with students in Junior Worlds and Senior Worlds in 2001. Known for having had a significant impact in the development of USA Olympians Caryn Kadavy (’88), Nicole Bobek (’98), and Evan Lysacek (’06), she has had great satisfaction in seeing her students meet with success and fulfillment in their academic, professional and personal lives.