Our Coaches
SCA is privileged to have assembled one of the most accomplished coaching staffs anywhere in the world.
Head Coach
BILL MAY
Bill is a World Aquatics artistic swimming champion in both the mixed duet and men’s solo events, a pioneer who opened the doors of artistic swimming to men, and a trusted mentor to artistic swimmers around the world. Bill trained with Santa Clara Artistic Swimming from the age of 15 and has always been the quintessential SCA emissary, training with Chris throughout his career and becoming an icon in his own right.
Coach
CHRIS CARVER
Chris has been the backbone of SCA and a pivotal figure in the sport of artistic swimming during her tenure as head coach from 1984 until 2022, winning 17 National Championship titles. As coach the US National team between 1987 to 2004, she led Team US to Olympic Gold in 1996 and double bronze in 2004 with groundbreaking choriography and musicality. Chris was inducted into the International Swiming Hall of Fame in 2023.
Coach, Pre-Competitive Program Director
JENNY EKHILEVSKY
As a life-long "Aquamaid", Jenny is a collegiate and National Champion as both an athlete and a coach. Her resume also includes coach to the Netherland's Olympic duet team. In addition to coaching, Jenny also is the director of the pre-competetive program.
Coach
OU LIU, OLY
As and athelete, Ou Liu's accomplishments include medaling Silver and Bronze from the 2008 and 2012 Olympic games. After retiring in 2013, she began her coaching career at SCA. Her resume also includes coaching the Olympic Duet teams for Balize. She is an energetic coach focused on sharing her wide experience with her athletes to improve their skills.
Coach
ANNA KOZLOVA, OLY
In additon to her many outstanding accomplishments in European and World Championships, Anna is a 3 time Olympian, begining in 1992. Representing the Soviet Union in 1992, she later immigrated to the US to win two bronze medals for Duet and Team in the 2004 Athens games. She has represented SCA in many national and international championships before sharing her talents for coaching.
Coach
ANNA VOLOSHYNA
In addition to being the most decorated Ukrainian Artistic Swimmer in history, Anna brings an impressive coaching background to SCA. She has coached national team athletes in three countries – Ukraine, Mexico and the U.S. She developed and coached the routines that secured the first male solo World Championship medal and first Team World medal for USA in 16 years at the World Aquatics Swimming Championships in Fukuoka, Japan.
Coach
ANNA YESIPOVA
Anna became a member of the Ukrainian National Synchronized Swimming Team at the age of 14. She won multiple national titles during her 5 years on the team, becoming a Silver medalist at the 2012 FINA Junior World Championship and the 2013 Junior European Championship. Anna continued her success by winning two-time bronze medalist at the 2015 European Olympic Games and a bronze medal at the 11th FINA Synchronized Swimming World Trophy in Yangzhou, China.
Coach
SUZANNAH BIANCO, OLY
A native of San Jose, CA, Suzannah began her swimming career with SCA and ultimatily won Olympic Gold as a memeber of the iconic 1996 US Synchronized Swimming team. In addition to Olympic glory, Suzannah enjoyed 4 years as a performer for Cirque du Soleil. Her returns preserves many years of experience and SCA heritage.
Coach
BIANCA VAN DER VELDEN, OLY
Bianca is an internationally acclaimed artistic swimmer and coach. Her mission is to help all athletes be their best using her wide experience and creativity.
Coach
SONJA VAN DER VELDEN, OLY
Sonja is a two time Olympic athlete from the Netherlands and award winning coach. She desires to pass on her experience and skills to help artistic swimmers achieve their fullest potential.
Assistant Coach
MICHELE COSTANZA
Michele is a life-long Aquamaid, first as a swimmer and then in 1980 as a coach. She loves coaching and to bring out the best in each swimmer, both as athletes and as team mates.
Assistant Coach
SHANNON KORPELA
As an Assistant Coach, Shannon Korpela has been involved with artistic swimming at all levels. She was a SCA swimmer for 9 years and has coached for over 30 years. She has held many positions on the Pacific Association Board, West Zone and was Vice President of Education and Certification for USA Synchro for 4 years; along with moving up the judges ranks to become a World Aquatics A judge.
Assistant Coach
YULIYA ROYSENTAL
As a former SCA swimmer turned coach, Yulia began her synchro journey in 1994 and now shares her knowledge with athletes wishing to develop in the sport. She has won numerous competitions, from California State Games to Age Group Nationals and U.S. Open, winning her first Age Group Nationals in 2003 in the 14-15 age group and the recipient of the Jerry Smith Sportsmanship. The following year she became a Triple Crown and Grand Slam winner in the 16-17 Age Group Nationals.
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Assistant Coach
JAVIER RUISANCHEZ
A former speed swimmer, he is a nine-time medalist at the World Aquatics Artistic Swimming World Series, winning his first Bronze in 2021, and a Gold in 2022 for his free solo routine. He was the first male to represent Pueto Rico in the mixed duet at the 2022 World Aquatics Championships.
