Please join us for our Session 2 Parent Meeting, Wed 1/16/13, 7-8pm at the Northfield Community Resource Center, 1651 Jefferson Parkway.
At the parent meeting, you will receive your skater’s class and coach assignment. We will also distribute your open skate passes and Parent Handbooks, review our programs, policies, equipment, Q & A,and more. This is a great chance to have your questions answered and clarify what to expect from lessons and how to help your skater get the most out of our program. It is important to us that parents and skaters have the information they need before lessons begin and we have found this type of communication especially important for new skaters. The meeting is geared toward parents, but skaters are welcome to join us. If you are unable to attend, please contact us for your group and coach assignment and the parent handbook.
On August 17, 2012, Northfield Skating School competitive skater Elizabeth (Lizzy) Penny became the first Northfield skater to compete at the Minnesota State Championships. With two strong axels and no mistakes in her program, Lizzy earned a second place finish in the qualifying round of the Pre-Preliminary girls event and the chance to advance to the final round of competition with the top finishers from each group. She delivered another very strong routine to finish in the top 15 in her division in the state. Lizzy will compete next at the Upper Great Lakes Regional Figure Skating Championship in Green Bay, Wisconsin in October. She is a sophomore at Northfield High School and began skating with the Northfield Skating School’s Basic Skills program in 2006. Lizzy trains privately with NSS Director Carey Tinkelenberg at the St. Paul Figure Skating Club. She is also part of NSS’s staff team as a Skating Assistant. Congrats, Lizzy!
On June 27th, NSS Assistant Director Kelly Gulbrandson passed her Adult Bronze Freestyle Test before a panel of judges in Eagan, MN. In addition to helping lead NSS and working full time as a pharmacist, Kelly trains with NSS Director Carey Tinkelenberg at the St. Paul Figure Skating Club year-round. Congrats, Kelly!
This year we celebrate three graduating seniors among our coaching staff (L to R):
Sarah Besse – Carleton College ’12, NSS Assistant Director, Private Coach, and Skating Instructor since 2009
Ally Shaw – Carleton College ’12, NSS Assistant Director, Private Coach, and Skating Instructor since 2008
Tyler Boddy-Spargo – Carleton College ’12, NSS Private Coach and Skating Assistant since 2010
Sarah, Tyler, and Ally have contributed a combined nine years to the NSS coaching staff. During their time with our school, I have been honored to have seen the growth of each of these coaches as leaders, team members, and teaching practitioners. They have been integral to our program and have impacted the lives of dozens of skaters. Working with our staff is one of the highlights of my role as director and it’s always tough to say goodbye to valued members of our team. Thank you, seniors, for your lasting contributions to NSS. We wish you all the best in your future adventures. Keep us posted on our Alumni Connection!
On June 4th, 2012, Northfield Skating School Director/Founder Carey Tinkelenberg was honored to be Wayne Eddy’s guest on his KYMN morning radio show. Topics ranged from skating to growing up in Massachusetts to attending Carleton College and starting the Northfield Skating School. Listen to 6/4 Show Archive
Emily North – Freeskate 4 Elements, Freeskate & Spin Challenge
Milly Reese – Freeskate 2 Elements and Freeskate
Lily Scott – Basic 2 Compulsory and Freeskate
Lauren Scott – Basic 1 Freeskate
Skaters train at the Northfield Skating School and/or at the St. Paul Figure Skating Club with Northfield Skating School Founder/Director, Carey Tinkelenberg.
This May, Northfield Skating School Owner/Director Carey Tinkelenberg achieved her second Professional Skaters Association (PSA) Master Rating.
The Master rating is the highest rating attainable in the PSA. Coaches and directors become rated in their discipline by completing a series of oral exams, sport science written exams, and meeting experience and continuing education requirements. The minimum requirements for the group coach master rating include 250 hours of coaching at a master level and “exceptional knowledge and understanding” of ethics, business practices, teaching methodology, class management, safety, and equipment. In addition, knowledge of all 13 of U.S. Figure Skating’s specialty curricula is required.
Tinkelenberg completed her master oral exam on May 21, 2012. Her performance prompted an invitation to become an examiner for future exams, and she was honored at the Professional Skaters Association International Conference and Trade Show in Boston, MA on May 23. This marks Tinkelenberg’s second Master Rating. In May 2010 she became the youngest director in the PSA to achieve a Master Rating in the program director discipline.
Tinkelenberg founded the Northfield Skating School after graduating from Carleton College in 2005. In 2008, the school was named a “Model Program” by the editors of SKATING Magazine and Tinkelenberg was presented the June 2008 Making a Difference Award by the Northfield Healthy Community Initiative for the school’s positive impact on youth. Tinkelenberg now serves as a mentor to directors as member of the U.S. Figure Skating Basic Skills Committee instructor/director training team. She presents regularly at director training events nationwide.
On August 17, 2012, Northfield Skating School competitive skater 
This year we celebrate three graduating seniors among our coaching staff (L to R):
This May, Northfield Skating School Owner/Director Carey Tinkelenberg achieved her second 
