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 both Singles and Pair Skating
Represented Team Canada Internationally for over 10 years
Bronze Medalist at Four Continents in Pairs
Fourth Place at Skate Canada and Skate America
Senior Grand Prix Circuit Competitor
Coaching experience for 20 years
Skated professionally for companies all over the world after retiring from competitive figure skating
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 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
Gold tested
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.
Katya Gzovdkova
(Available Year-Round)
Accomplishments and Coaching Information
Russian National Team member on Senior level in Ice Dance
ISU Grand Prix Series medalist & competitor in Ice Dance
Three time gold medalist at Russian Cup
International Level Master of Sports ranking
Studied at Russian Institute of Theatre Arts
20 year professional skating career
18 years of coaching experience
Trained national and international competitors in National Solo Dance Series
Katya specializes in strong skating technique, choreography, and bringing out the skater's artistic expression.
Kyla Jewell
(Available Year-Round)
Accomplishments and Coaching Information
10 years of coaching experience
Competed multiple years at Junior Nationals in Ice dance and Pairs, as well as at Sectionals in Junior singles
Performed as a Chorus Skater with Holiday on Ice in Europe and the UK
Gold tested in Moves in the Field and Freestyle
Internationally tested in Ice Dance
Novice tested in Partnered Free Dance
Junior tested in Pairs
Kyla loves working with both figure and hockey skaters of all levels. Her goal is to help skaters learn and improve skills to reach their skating goals.
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.
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.
Tanis Blythe
Junior Coach
Tanis has five years of coaching experience and eleven years of skating experience with Glacier Skate Academy. She has completed the Intermediate Moves in the Field test and the Pre-Bronze Dance test. During her skating years, she performed in many club ice shows. Tanis enjoys teaching skaters and watching them grow in the sport.
Tanis teaches Learn to Skate, Star Skate, and Jr Club.
Allie Blythe
Junior Coach
Allie has completed the Intermediate Moves in the Field test, the Pre-Juvenile Free Skate test, and the Bronze Dance test. She has ten years of skating experience and two years of coaching experience with the Glacier Skate Academy. Allie has performed in many club ice shows and competed in and out of Montana. She is enthusiastic, loves the outdoors, and enjoys coaching skaters.
Allie teaches Learn to Skate, Star Skate, and Jr Club.
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 working on his Novice Moves in the Field.
Willem teaches Learn to Skate, Star Skate, and Jr Club.
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.