Igor Yuryevich Shpilband (, born July 14, 1964) is an American

ice dancing Ice dance (sometimes referred to as ice dancing) is a discipline of figure skating that historically draws from ballroom dancing. It joined the World Figure Skating Championships in 1952, and became a Winter Olympic Games medal sport in 1976. A ...

coach and former competitor for the

Soviet Union The Union of Soviet Socialist Republics. (USSR), commonly known as the Soviet Union, was a List of former transcontinental countries#Since 1700, transcontinental country that spanned much of Eurasia from 1922 until Dissolution of the Soviet ...

. He is the 1983 World Junior champion with former partner Tatiana Gladkova.

Personal life

Shpilband was born in

Moscow Moscow is the Capital city, capital and List of cities and towns in Russia by population, largest city of Russia, standing on the Moskva (river), Moskva River in Central Russia. It has a population estimated at over 13 million residents with ...

on July 14, 1964, to a Jewish family. In 1990, he and several other Soviet skaters were part of a U.S. tour headlined by

Jayne Torvill Jayne Torvill, OBE (born 7 October 1957) is a British professional ice dancer and former competitor. She and her partner Christopher Dean are considered amongst the greatest ice dancers of all time. The pair won a gold medal at the 1984 Wint ...

and

Christopher Dean Christopher Colin Dean, OBE (born 27 July 1958) is a British ice dancer considered, with his skating partner Jayne Torvill, amongst the greatest ice dancers of all time. The pair won a gold medal at the 1984 Winter Olympics and a bronze medal ...

when one of them,

Gorsha Sur Georgi "Gorsha" Sur (born January 1, 1967) is a former ice dancer who represented the United States and the Soviet Union. With Svetlana Liapina for the Soviet Union, he is a two-time World Junior Figure Skating Championships, World Junior medalis ...

, decided to

defect Defect or defects may refer to: Related to failure * Angular defect, in geometry * Birth defect, an abnormal condition present at birth * Crystallographic defect, in the crystal lattice of solid materials * Latent defect, in the law of the sale o ...

; Shpilband, Veronica Pershina and

Elena Krykanova Elena Krykanova, also romanized as Krikanova, () is a former ice dancer who represented the Soviet Union. With former partner Evgeni Platov, she is a three-time World Junior champion (1984–1986). They began skating together around December 1976 ...

decided to join him. Shpilband got a coaching position in Detroit not long after. He became a naturalized United States citizen in 2000. With his former wife Veronica Pershina, he has a son, Maxim, and a daughter, Ekaterina, a competitive figure skater for the United States. In 2006, he became engaged to skating coach Adrienne Lenda.

Competitive and coaching career

Shpilband was coached by

Lyudmila Pakhomova Lyudmila Alekseyevna Pakhomova (; 31 December 1946 – 17 May 1986) was a Russian ice dancer who competed for the Soviet Union. With her husband Aleksandr Gorshkov, she was the 1976 Olympic champion, one of the oldest female figure skating Olym ...

from age 12 to 20. He and his partner, Tatiana Gladkova, won the silver medal at the 1982 World Junior Championships and then gold in 1983. Shpilband retired from competitive skating following Pakhomova's death in 1986. Following his defection, he began working as a coach and choreographer at the Detroit Skating Club. Gorsha Sur recommended him as a coach to Elizabeth Punsalan and

Jerod Swallow Jerod Swallow (born October 18, 1966) is an American ice dancer. With his wife Elizabeth Punsalan, he is a five-time U.S. national champion, two-time Skate America champion, and competed twice in the Winter Olympics. Personal life Swallo ...

, who were among his first students. Shpilband formerly worked in collaboration with British coach

Elizabeth Coates Elizabeth Coates, sometimes known as Liz Coates, is a British ice dancing coach and former competitor. With Alan Abretti, she is the 1986 Fujifilm Trophy silver medalist and a two-time British Figure Skating Championships, British national silver m ...

. He began coaching with

Marina Zueva Marina Olegovna Zoueva or Zueva (; born 9 April 1956) is a Russian figure skating coach, choreographer, and former competitor in ice dancing. Representing the Soviet Union with Andrei Vitman, she placed 5th at the 1977 World Championships and ...

in 2001. In 2003, Shpilband began coaching at the Arctic Edge Arena in

Canton, Michigan Canton Township (commonly known simply as Canton) is a charter township in Wayne County, Michigan, Wayne County in the U.S. state of Michigan. A western Metro Detroit, suburb of Detroit, Canton is located roughly west of downtown Detroit, and e ...

. On June 3, 2012, Shpilband confirmed that he had been fired from the Arctic Edge Arena. On June 12, it was announced that his new training site is the Novi Ice Arena in

Novi, Michigan Novi ( ) is a city in Oakland County, Michigan, Oakland County in the U.S. state of Michigan. A northwestern Metro Detroit, suburb of Detroit, Novi is located roughly northwest of downtown Detroit. As of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census ...

. His current and former students include: *

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/ Dmitri Dun * Alissandra Aronow /

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* Sofiia Beznosikova / Max Leleu *

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* Eve Chalom / Mathew Gates *

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* Madison Chock / Greg Zuerlein *

Penny Coomes Penny Coomes (born 6 April 1989) is a former English competitive ice dancer who represented Great Britain. With partner Nicholas Buckland, she is the 2014 European Figure Skating Championships bronze medalist and has won six other internatio ...

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Katherine Copely Katherine Leigh Copely (born January 9, 1988) is a former American-born Ice Dancer who competed internationally for Lithuania. With partner Deividas Stagniūnas, she is the 4 time Lithuanian National Champion with Bronze Medals at both Golden Spi ...

/ Deividas Stagniūnas *

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Gleb Smolkin Gleb Borisovich Smolkin (; , born 27 August 1999) is a Russian ice dancer who currently represents Georgia. Representing Russia with his partner, Diana Davis, he is the 2021 CS Warsaw Cup champion and the 2022 Russian national silver medalist. O ...

Meryl Davis Meryl Davis (born January 1, 1987) is an American former competitive ice dancer. With partner Charlie White, she is the 2014 Olympic champion, the 2010 Olympic silver medalist, a two-time (2011, 2013) World champion, five-time Grand Prix Fin ...

/ Charlie White *

Margarita Drobiazko Margarita Aleksandrovna Drobiazko (; born 21 December 1971) is a Russian retired ice dancer. She began competing for Lithuania in 1992 when she teamed up with Povilas Vanagas. With Vanagas, she is the 2000 World bronze medalist, a three-time Gra ...

Povilas Vanagas Povilas Vanagas (; born 23 July 1970) is a Lithuanian ice dancer. With his wife Margarita Drobiazko, he is the 2000 World bronze medalist, a three-time Grand Prix Final bronze medalist, a two-time European bronze medalist (2000, 2006), the 199 ...

Charlène Guignard Charlène Edith Magali Guignard (born 12 August 1989) is a French-Italian ice dancer. Competing for Italy with Marco Fabbri, she is a two-time World medalist, a three-time European champion (2023, 2024, 2025), a two-time European bronze medalis ...

Marco Fabbri Marco Fabbri (born 2 February 1988) is an Italian ice dancer. With his skating partner, Charlène Guignard, he is a two-time World Figure Skating Championships, World medalist, a two-time European Figure Skating Championships, European champion (2 ...

Grethe Grünberg Grethe Grünberg (born 17 December 1988) is an Estonian former ice dancer. With partner Kristjan Rand, she is the 2007 World Junior silver medalist and the 2005–2007 Estonian national champion. Career Grünberg began learning to skate in 1 ...

Kristian Rand Kristjan (or Kristian) Rand (born 12 June 1987) is an Estonian former ice dancer. With Grethe Grünberg, he is the 2007 World Junior Figure Skating Championships, 2007 World Junior silver medalist and the 2005–2007 Estonian national champion. Wi ...

* Jessica Joseph / Charles Butler * Jessica Joseph / Brandon Forsyth * Siobhan Karam / Joshua McGrath *

Naomi Lang Naomi Lang (born December 18, 1978) is an American former competitive ice dancer. With skating partner Peter Tchernyshev, she is a two-time Four Continents champion (2000 and 2002), a five-time U.S. national champion (1999–2003), and compete ...

Peter Tchernyshev Peter Tchernyshev (; also romanized as ''Pyotr Andreyevich Chernyshev''; born February 6, 1971) is a Russian-American ice dancer. With skating partner Naomi Lang, he is a two-time Four Continents champion (2000 and 2002), a five-time U.S. nati ...

* Chloe Lewis /

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* Charlotte Lichtman /

Dean Copely Dean J. Copely, Jr. (born August 28, 1989) is an American former competitive Ice Dancer. With Charlotte Lichtman, he is the 2011 World Junior Ice Dance Bronze Medalist and 2011 U.S. Junior Ice Dance Champion. Career Dean Copely began skatin ...

Kavita Lorenz Kavita Lorenz (born 5 September 1995) is a German former competitive ice dancer. With her skating partner, Joti Polizoakis, she is a three-time German Figure Skating Championships, German national champion (2016–2018) and has competed in the fi ...

/ Joti Polizoakis *

Caitlin Mallory Caitlin Mallory (born June 2, 1987) is an American former ice dancer. She is the 2005 Golden Spin of Zagreb silver medalist with Brent Holdburg. In 2008, she began appearing internationally for Estonia with Kristjan Rand. They competed in the fi ...

* Lydia Manon / Brandon Forsyth * Lydia Manon / Michel Klus * Lydia Manon / Ryan O'Meara *

Yura Min Yura Min (; born August 15, 1995) is a Korean-American ice dancer who skates with Daniel Eaton for South Korea, with whom she is the 2020 Korean National Champion. With former partner Alexander Gamelin, she is a two-time South Korean national ...

/ Daniel Eaton * Yura Min /

Alexander Gamelin Alexander Gamelin (born February 22, 1993) is an American-born South Korean ice dancer. He competed from the 2004–05 through the 2014–15 season with his twin sister, Danielle Gamelin. The two won the gold medal in senior dance at the 2015 U. ...

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Maxim Nikitin Maksym Kostiantynovych Nikitin (; born 5 October 1994) is a Ukrainian retired ice dancer. With his skating partner, Oleksandra Nazarova, he is the 2015 World Junior bronze medalist and 2012 Youth Olympic silver medalist. On the senior level, th ...

Avonley Nguyen Avonley Claren Nguyen (born November 22, 2002) is an American ice dancer. With her former partner, Vadym Kolesnik, she is the 2020 World Junior champion, the 2019–20 Junior Grand Prix Final silver medalist, and the 2020 U.S. junior national ...

Vadym Kolesnik Vadym Kolesnik (born October 27, 2001) is an American ice dancer. With his skating partner, Emilea Zingas, he is the 2022 CS Golden Spin of Zagreb bronze medalist and 2023 U.S. Figure Skating Championships, 2023, 2025 U.S. Figure Skating Champio ...

Eva Pate Eva Pate (born May 11, 2000) is an American ice dancer. With her skating partner and husband, Logan Bye, she is the 2023 CS Autumn Classic International champion and a two-time ISU Challenger Series silver medalist. Personal life Pate was bo ...

/ Logan Bye *

Nathalie Pechalat Nathalie is a female given name. It is a variant of the name Natalie/ Natalia which is found in many languages, and is especially common in French and English-speaking countries. Notable people with the name include: * Nathalie (born 1979), Ita ...

Fabian Bourzat Fabian Bourzat (born 19 December 1980) is a French retired ice dancer. With partner Nathalie Péchalat, he is a two-time World bronze medalist (2012, 2014), a two-time European champion (2011–2012), and a five-time French national champion ...

Justyna Plutowska Justyna Plutowska (born 27 June 1991) is a Polish ice dancer. With former partner Peter Gerber, she is the 2013 Finlandia Trophy bronze medalist and 2014 Bavarian Open champion. Personal life Justyna Plutowska was born 27 June 1991 in Gdynia, P ...

/ Peter Gerber *

Elliana Pogrebinsky Elliana Pogrebinsky (born April 22, 1998) is a retired American competitive ice dancer. With Alex Benoit, she is a two-time ISU Challenger Series Tallinn Trophy bronze medalist (2016, 2017), the 2016 Lake Placid Ice Dance International champion, ...

Alex Benoit Alexander Benoit (born October 9, 1995) is an American actor and former competitive ice dancer. With his skating partner, Elliana Pogrebinsky, he is a two-time ISU Challenger Series Tallinn Trophy bronze medalist (2016, 2017), the 2016 Lake Pla ...

* Elizabeth Punsalan /

* Thea Rabe / Timothy Koleto * Samantha Ritter / Daniel Brykalov *

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/ Leif Gislason * Lauren Senft / Augie Hill *

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/ Alex Shibutani *

Jamie Silverstein Jamie Silverstein (born December 23, 1983) is an American former competitive ice dancer. With Justin Pekarek, she is the 2000 Four Continents bronze medalist, the 1999 World Junior champion, and 2000 U.S. silver medalist. With Ryan O'Meara, ...

/ Ryan O'Meara * Jamie Silverstein / Justin Pekarek *

Isabella Tobias Isabella Tobias (; born August 23, 1991) is an Israeli retired ice dancer who competed for both Georgia, Lithuania, and Israel. Earlier in her career, Tobias skated with Otar Japaridze for Georgia and with Deividas Stagniūnas for Lithuania. W ...

/ Deividas Stagniūnas * Isabella Tobias /

Ilia Tkachenko Ilia Alexeyevich Tkachenko (, born 26 December 1986) is a Russian former competitive ice dancer. Skating for Russia with Ekaterina Riazanova, he became the 2010 Trophée Eric Bompard silver medalist, the 2012 Skate Canada International bronze ...

* Robynne Tweedale /

Joseph Buckland Joseph Buckland (born 27 October 1992) is an English ice dancer. With former partner Olivia Smart, he is a three-time British Figure Skating Championships, British national junior champion (2012–14) and competed at three World Junior Champion ...

Tessa Virtue Tessa Jane McCormick Virtue (born May 17, 1989) is a Canadian retired ice dancer. With ice dance partner Scott Moir, she is the 2010 and 2018 Olympic champion, the 2014 Olympic silver medallist, a three-time World champion (2010, 2012, 2017) ...

Scott Moir Scott Patrick Moir ( ; born September 2, 1987) is a Canadian retired ice dancer and coach. With ice dance partner Tessa Virtue, he is the Figure skating at the 2010 Winter Olympics, 2010 and Figure skating at the 2018 Winter Olympics, 2018 Olym ...

* Megan Wing / Aaron Lowe *

Katarina Wolfkostin Katarina Wolfkostin (born October 9, 2004) is an American ice dancer. Together with her partner Dimitry Tsarevski, she is the 2025 World Junior Figure Skating Championships, 2025 World Junior silver medalist, 2024–25 Grand Prix of Figure Skating ...

/ Jeffrey Chen *

Yu Xiaoyang Yu Xiaoyang (; born June 6, 1986, in Harbin, Heilongjiang) is a Chinese former competitive ice dancer. She competed with Wang Chen. They are four-time Chinese national champions (2006, 2008, 2010, and 2013), as well as two-time bronze medalists ...

/ Wang Chen * Emilea Zingas / Vadym Kolesnik

Competitive highlights

(with Gladkova)

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Shpilband, Igor Soviet male ice dancers American figure skating coaches American people of Russian-Jewish descent Jewish American sports coaches Figure skating choreographers Soviet defectors to the United States Living people Figure skaters from Moscow World Junior Figure Skating Championships medalists 1964 births 21st-century American Jews