At just 8 years old, Brynne McIsaac made a decision that would change the course of her life and career. After being disappointed by the rigor of academics in her local public schools, she and her parents decided to seek out other options. During this time, she was also growing in her ice skating career, learning the basics and competing in local competitions. She and her family took the leap to attend Laurel Springs, and after graduating at 16 in 2016, she went on to complete a bachelor’s degree in psychology and become a professional figure skater on the Royal Caribbean Cruise Line. Brynne’s time at Laurel Springs helped shape her academic and professional career, teaching her lessons that would stick with her for the rest of her life. 

Figure Skating Dreams
“I first fell in love with ice skating when I attended a friend’s birthday party,” Brynne shared. “Despite not being able to waddle across the rink by myself, I thought it was the best thing ever.” After begging her parents to continue taking her to the rink to practice, they finally obliged and met a welcoming coach who encouraged Brynne to sign up for skating lessons. She began by learning the basics of the sport and from there, she started participating in yearly holiday shows hosted by her local rink. Her first competitive coach also created performance opportunities for athletes of all ages and levels to come together and showcase their individual routines. 

At this time, Brynne also learned from local dance coaches, memorizing group routines and practicing how to perform alongside others. She continued to perform and participate in competitions throughout her education at Laurel Springs, taking part in local competitions as well as competitions overseas. One of her favorite competition memories during her time as a student was during the Junior Grand Prix in 2015. After the intended U.S. representative withdrew from the competition on short notice, Brynne was called to fly to Logrono, Spain and compete in less than a week. “It was such a surprise, I did not even have time to get nervous or worry about how I would place at such an elite competition,” she said. She ended up performing two of her best programs, ending with a 4th overall ranking. 

Nurturing a Passion for Learning at Laurel Springs
In fifth grade, Brynne and her parents noticed how the local school system had been lacking in helping her reach her full academic potential. They explored other options, eventually landing on Laurel Springs because of the ample learning opportunities available. 

During her time at Laurel Springs, Brynne studied topics that applied to both school and life. She learned how to properly manage her workload, communicate with others from around the world, prioritize tasks, and tackle difficult obstacles on her own. “Most importantly, I also learned how to ask for help and rely on teachers and mentors to guide me,” Brynne shared. 

Brynne’s Laurel Springs journey was completed in 2016, when she graduated at the age of 16. She decided to defer from college and immediately pursue her competitive career, eventually participating in the PyeongChang Olympic qualifier. “It was my first year competing at the Senior National competition, and although I had competed at lower level National past events, this was the first year I would compete against others I had idolized for years,” she said. She performed one of her best free skate programs in a packed arena, and though she had low technical skills and minimal experience, she still received a standing ovation from the audience during the Olympic qualifier. “This was the first time I felt the thrill of an entire arena cheering for my performance, and it is the core of why I realized I preferred performing for the enjoyment rather than for the medals,” she commented. 

Brynne continued competing and performing until the world shut down due to the Covid-19 pandemic in 2020. As college students around the world were forced to complete their degrees online, Brynne realized her experience at Laurel Springs would help her transition into a collegiate level program, and she chose to enroll at Liberty University online and study psychology. 

Her passion for psychology started at a young age. As a child, she was interested in brain sciences, paying particular attention to TV shows with brain surgery. At the age of 10, she chose to reach out to a sports psychologist to bolster her development, learning more about how a sports mentality can support her in many facets of her life. “Her influence on my daily and competitive mindset truly helped shape the person I became today,” Brynne said. “I decided to study psychology to not only better my understanding of my own mentality, but also to help others work through their own mental and emotional obstacles.” 

Current Career and Future Plans
Throughout her career, Brynne has lived and trained in many states across the U.S., including Colorado, Florida, and California, and traveled to many countries overseas. Her first official professional figure skater job began in 2022 with Holiday in Ice, and she traveled to cities across Germany, France, Austria, and Holland. 

Currently, she is on her third contract with the Royal Caribbean cruise line. Each contract looks a little different, and can last between six and ten months on the ship with one additional month dedicated to learning choreography and rehearsing the performance. Professional ice skaters on the Royal Caribbean spend five nights performing, and also lend their talents to assist other theater performers with quick costume changes or help with spotlight shows in other theaters onboard. During the day, performers run public sessions for guests to learn skating. 

Brynne enjoys the balanced working hours while aboard the ship. “We can relax and take care of our own well being,” she shared. 

When Brynne’s not working, she enjoys coaching, crocheting, sewing, and any other crafty projects she can work on. She also enjoys traveling, and has been able to see the world while meeting new people. 

Eventually, she would like to move into the field of psychology and pass on the things she has learned about working through mental and emotional obstacles to the next generation of athletes. 

Interested in learning more about Laurel Springs and other alumni like Brynne?
Fellow Laurel Springs School alumni can join Brynne on the LSS Alumni Connect network, and if you would like to be featured on the blog, consider reaching out to alumni@laurelsprings.com. If you’re interested in learning more about getting started at Laurel Springs, join us for a Virtual Open House, where you can meet Laurel Springs staff, current students, and alumni like Brynne! Our premier and accredited college-prep curriculum supports students around the world, and we’ve consistently ranked as one of the top online private schools in the nation. To learn more about what current families have to say, view Laurel Springs School’s Niche page.

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