Northfield Skating School

Our coaching staff includes regional and national athletes and long-time recreational skaters from around the nation. Instructors are hired for their skill, enthusiasm, professionalism, and desire for ongoing development. All staff is professionally trained. Being an NSS coach means much more than teaching skating skills: It means being a role model, a team member, and having an active voice in our organization.

Our Core Values: QUALITY ~ COMMUNITY ~ COMMITMENT ~ LEADERSHIP ~ ENTHUSIASM

Our Team

Jump to bios:

• Carey Tinkelenberg, Founding Owner/Director
• Michaela McLaughlin, Skating Instructor
• Sarah Besse, Assistant Director of Preschool/Homeschool Program, Skating Instructor
• Kelly Gulbrandson, Assistant Director, Skating Instructor
• Ally Shaw, Assistant Director, Skating Instructor
• Elizabeth Penny, Skating Assistant
• Melanie Ritz, Skating Instructor
• Alicia Reuter, Skating Assistant
• Anna Sheehan, Skating Assistant
• Tyler Boddy-Spargo, Skating Assistant
• Emma Sayner, Skating Assistant

Carey Tinkelenberg Founding Owner Executive Director Head Coach Carey is a U.S. Figure Skating Double Gold Medalist and a PSA Master Rated Program Director, Senior Rated Group Instructor, and a Registered coach in Freestyle and Moves in the Field. Carey began skating in a USFS Basic Skills Program at age 6. She trained with Olympic Committee Developmental Coaches of the Year Mark Mitchell and Peter Johansson, and with Kate McManus at the Colonial Figure Skating Club in Acton, MA and the Skating Club of Boston. She was the 2010 U.S. Adult National Silver Medalist in Masters Pairs with Peter Biver and the 1998 New England Regional Silver Medalist. She was also a national competitor with The Colonials synchronized skating team. Carey has danced since age 8 (ballet, modern, and jazz) and has been a dance instructor and choreographer for Phillips Academy in Andover, MA and for various groups in southern MN. Carey has coached numerous recreational and competitive skaters ranging from beginner through Senior level skaters. Carey earned her B.A. in Psychology from Carleton College and established the Northfield Skating School in 2005. She has written articles about leadership and management for SKATING Magazine, Professional Skater Magazine, and RINK Magazine and she has delivered presentations at national and international skating conferences on behalf of U.S. Figure Skating and the Professional Skaters Association. In 2008 she was selected as a member of U.S. Figure Skating’s Basic Skills Subcommittee and serves as a mentor to directors and author of national handbooks and training programs. In addition to skating and dance, Carey loves music, yoga, cooking, writing, and traveling.

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Michaela McLaughlin Assistant Director Skating Instructor Michaela has been a figure skater for 17 years. She took “Learn to skate” lessons as a young girl and entered the competition world when she was in 8th grade. She was a part of the Burnsville Skating Club as well as the ISD 196 Icettes team. While a part of the Icettes, Michaela competed in Synchronized Skating as well as many individual and “jump and spin” numbers. In 2003, Michaela and her Icettes team made it to Nationals in Anaheim, California. Her team placed first in the short synchronized routine and 4th in the long synchronized routine! Michaela has much experience working with kids: she coaches cross country and track and field for elementary/middle school aged kids. She has taught French, Spanish, Creative Writing, Pilates and Yoga classes over the past 7 years. During the summers, Michaela leads backpacking and canoeing trips, as well as paddle boarding tours throughout the country. Michaela earned her B.A. in Psychology from St. Olaf College in 2010 and is currently working for her Ph.D. in Educational Psychology from the University of Minnesota.

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Elizabeth Penny Skating Assistant Elizabeth is 14 years old and is a freshman at the Northfield High School. She has been skating for about four years and started with NSS. After taking a couple sessions of group lessons she started taking private lessons with Carey. She had the opportunity to join the Saint Paul Figure Skating Club and has had the chance to compete, skate in shows, and take many different classes. When she’s not skating she likes to hang out with her friends, read, and spend time outside.

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Melanie Ritz Skating Instructor Melanie started skating at Hutchinson Ice Arena at 6 years of age. Throughout her life she has enjoyed skating as a hobby and a competitive sport. She was a member of ISI for twelve years, skating through Freestyle level 8. She competed in many rinks around Minnesota and synchronized skating was an important part of her experience on ice. When she was 13, Melanie joined the Hutchinson Junior Precision Team, the Mini Gems, followed by the Senior Precision Team the Ice Diamonds. While in high school she coached at Hutchinson Ice Arena. In her college years she continued to skate for fun and exercise. After college she moved to San Diego and continued to skate under her favorite coach and National competitor Clara Hoagland. At the San Diego Ice Arena she also trained with their Adult Snychronized Team. She is now a member of the Professional Skaters Association. Bellydancing, salsa dancing, rollerblading and surfing (when in San Diego) are some other hobbies she enjoys. Melanie has an Associate Science degree and in her career she enjoys working with and meeting new people.

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Ally Shaw Assistant Director, Skating Instructor Ally is a senior at Carleton College and grew up in Bloomington, Minnesota. Ally started skating at four years old in the Basic Skills Program and started taking private lessons at six years old. Since 1997, Ally was a member of U.S. Figure Skating and the Figure Skating Club of Bloomington. She has passed her USFS Senior Moves in the Field and Senior Free Skating Tests. During her competitive career, Ally competed in numerous competitions; was a gold medallist in the 2004 Upper Great Lakes Regional Championships Open Juvenile Division and took second place in the 2004 Minnesota State Competition. Ally has also coached skate school at FSC of Bloomington while participating in their yearly ice show. In addition, she was a member of the Bloomington Butterflies for three years. Outside of skating, Ally was a council member of the Kennedy High School orchestra and co-captain of the cross country team. She is also a second degree black belt and is a devoted Vikings football fan. Ally loves children and is very excited to continue her passion for skating at the Northfield Skating School.

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Sarah Besse Assistant Director of Daytime Preschool/Homeschool Program, Skating Instructor Sarah is a senior at Carleton College.  Teaching skating at Northfield Skating School and flute at Greenvale and Bridgewater have inspired her to teach elementary school next year!  The mental focus, athleticism and controlled movement of skating put her “in the zone.”  She loves the NSS community and is energized by her connections to students, parents, NSS staff, and the many community partners who make NSS happen.  This winter she is excited to launch the preschool/homeschool program.

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Alicia Reuter Skating Assistant Alicia Reuter has loved figure skating for as long as she can remember, and held Tara Lipinski as her skating idol when she watched her win the Olympic gold medal in fourth grade. Alicia got back into figure skating with the Northfield Skating School after she graduated from St. Olaf. She now works at the Rice County Historical Society and is pursuing her Masters of Library Science degree.

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Tyler Boddy-Spargo Skating Assistant Tyler began skating on the lake behind his house with his best friend, a hockey player. Since those days of pond hockey, Tyler has become passionate about skating as well as many other kinds of athletics and physical activities. He has also made the transition to figure skating and has loved the focus and physical control that it demands. Ever since middle school, Tyler has enjoyed a multitude of positions involving education and is very enthusiastic about sharing his experience with the curious and open-minded. Tyler is currently a French major in the class of 2012 at Carleton College and participates extensively in music, theater, dance, gymnastics, and triathlons. In all that he does, Tyler lives to challenge himself and explore the possibilities of his mind and body. He is thrilled to be able to share these goals with the students of NSS!

Kelly Gulbrandson Assistant Director, Skating Instructor Kelly started skating when she was 3 years old and joined the Albert Lea Figure Skating Club at the age of 6. She started competing when she was 7 and continued to skate and compete until graduating high school. While in high school she worked as an instructor for Albert Lea’s Learn to Skate program and assisted coaches for the Albert Lea Figure Skating Club. She took a break from figure skating while completing her Doctor of Pharmacy at Drake University in Des Moines, IA. She currently works as a Pharmacist at Hy-Vee Pharmacy in Faribault. Kelly is currently a member of the St. Paul Figure Skating Club and is working on her Adult U.S. Figure Skating tests.

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Anna Sheehan Skating Assistant Anna Sheehan is a junior in high school attending the Northfield School of Arts and Technology. Anna started skating 5 years ago with the Northfield Skating School, and loves the physical, mental and artistic challenges that figure skating provides. Anna has enjoyed being given the opportunity to be an assistant coach during last years skating season, and loves working with the children and the other coaches.

Emma Sayner Skating Assistant Emma is currently a sophomore at the Northfield High School. She has been figure skating at the Northfield Skating School for the past four years, and has always admired the beauty of the sport of figure skating. In her first year as an assistant coach, Emma hopes to combine her enthusiasm for working with young children, figure skating, and fitness. Emma’s other interests include her cross country team, downhill skiing, and playing the piano and clarinet.

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Hear it from the coaches:

NSS is my sanctuary, my home away from home, and my favorite part of the week. Let me tell you why. NSS connects me with kids of all ages, parents and families, other college students, Northfield businesses and resources and combines all into a unique and vibrant community. Coaching allows me to share my knowledge and love for skating while empowering the skaters to be leaders. Every Sunday afternoon is a new opportunity for the skaters´ energy to revitalize, renew and rejuvenate me.
- Michaela McLaughlin, Skating Instructor since 2006, Assistant Director since 2009

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Interested in joining our team? Contact Carey!

Interested in taking private lessons with one of our coaches? Contact Us to make a request!