GLACIER SKATE ACADEMY COACHES
Glacier Skate Academy has a great team of professional coaches who work together to ensure that each skater achieves personal excellence. Our dedicated coaching staff provides a full range of skating disciplines - freestyle, moves, dance and pairs - with professional specialists in jumps, spins, skating skills and choreography.
When choosing a coach for your skater, there are several factors to take into consideration. To assist you with this process, US Figure Skating and The Professional Skaters Association offer resources at:
The Glacier Skate coaching team asks that all skaters and parents adhere to the Glacier Skate Academy club policies and USFSA Parent Code of Conduct.
All coaches teaching private lessons at Glacier Skate Academy must be USFSA Coach Compliant.
Sean Wirtz
(Available Year-Round)
Accomplishments and Coaching Information
2-time National Canadian Champion in Singles and Pairs
Represented Canada Internationally for over 10 years
Bronze Medalist at Four Continents in Pairs
Senior Grand Prix Circuit Competitor
Coaching experience for 15 years
Skated professionally for companies all over the world
Sean takes great pride in motivating skaters, developing their technical abilities, and helping them achieve their personal goals
Kristin Cowan
(Available Year-Round)
Accomplishments and Coaching Information
10 years of coaching experience
Performed as a principal pair skater for several companies, including Holiday on Ice and Disney on Ice, performing in Europe, North America, and South America for the past 11 years
Professional shows include: Disney on Ice - 'Rockin' Ever After', Holiday on Ice - 'Aladdin', 'Mystery', and 'Spirit', Busch Gardens - 'Turn It Up' and 'Christmas on Ice', Phantasialand - 'Ice College 2016', and Rand Productions -
'Holiday Ice Spectacular'
Bachelor of Science in Accounting
Kristin has a keen eye for performance and choreography and loves to work on artistry and grace with her students.
Jennifer Boye
(Available Year-Round)
Accomplishments and Coaching Information
33 years of figure skating with 13 years competing
20 years coaching experience and directed over 35 Ice Shows
Coached several regional competitors and a two-time National Showcase Silver medallist
Jennifer's mission statement is "To develop athletes to their full potential while instilling a love of figure skating."
Coaching Areas of interest: Moves in the Field, Freeskate, Showcase
Katherine Sivanish
(Available year-round)
Katherine grew up skating competitively in Spokane, Washington. She has so many memories from early morning practices, skating after school, and traveling to competitions. Her friendships from skating and the discipline she learned are her favorite memories from childhood. She is now a mother of three children and loves being at the rink again, helping kids build their confidence both on and off the ice.
Katherine teaches Star Skate and Learn to Skate.
Elyse Knudsen
(Available year-round)
Accomplishments and Coaching Information
16 years coaching experience
Elyse skated professionally for Disney on Ice and as a principal pair skater for Willey Bietak Productions (on Royal Caribbean Cruises). She toured Japan, South America, Mexico and the U.S.
Gold medalist in Moves in Field; Silver medalist in Free Skate; Intermediate Pairs
Degree in Occupational Safety and Health
Elyse loves choreography and is inspired by creating beautiful moments for skaters.
Sophia Burrough
Junior Coach
Sophia has been skating with the Glacier Skate Academy for twelve years and especially enjoys Showcase Skating. She is currently training to join an international ice show. She has been teaching young skaters at GSA for four years. Sophia teaches Learn to Skate, Star Skate, and junior coaching private lessons.
Sophia recently passed Senior Moves in the Field, the highest level in US Figure Skating.
Willem Gray
Junior Coach
Willem has skated with the Glacier Skate Academy for six years. He has won many medals throughout the Northwest, including at the Regional Championships. He is currently competing in pair skating.
Willem teaches Learn to Skate, Star Skate, and junior coaching private lessons.