The Shattuck-St. Mary’s Figure Skating Center of Excellence has pioneered the concept of combining excellence in college preparatory academics and intensive figure skating training. The program offers high-quality instruction in all areas of figure skating, focusing on the individual needs of each skater. This approach gives serious skaters the chance to pursue their academic and college aspirations alongside their figure skating dreams. The SSM program is tailored not only for the competitive skater but also for the skater that is committed and loves to train daily. It allows for skaters to work towards their individual goals while being surrounded by an encouraging team and still have the opportunity to experience other aspects of school life.
Skaters participate in up to five competitions, three test sessions, and two ice shows per year. They receive 3+ hours of on-ice training daily, including tech, style, and power classes, as well as private and group lessons. Additionally, off ice jump, strength and conditioning, and dance classes are offered weekly.
Our internationally recognized coaching staff has skated professionally and offers extensive national and international coaching experience to all age groups. As certified members through the Professional Skaters Association (PSA), coaches travel with our athletes to various competitions worldwide. Additionally, skaters have frequent opportunities to train with renowned guest coaches, such as Surya Bonaly, Phillip Mills, and others.
Student-athletes have access to three ice arenas, a 10,500 sq. foot weight training and conditioning facility, as well as an athletic training room providing advanced aquatic therapy and full-time athletic training staff.
Peter Biver, Figure Skating Head Coach & Director of Figure Skating
Peter Biver is a six-time US Figure Skating Gold Medalist and a former US National competitor in Senior Pairs. As a professional skater, he performed in more than 350 shows throughout Europe and Russia for Holiday On Ice, before transitioning to coaching. Peter has guided athletes at eight National Championships as well as numerous international competitions throughout North America and Europe. As a PSA-rated coach, he specializes in the portable skating harness and jump technique.
Surya Bonaly, Figure Skating Assistant Coach
Surya Bonaly is a three-time Olympian, a 10-time French figure skating champion, a five-time European figure skating champion, and a three-time World Figure Skating silver medalist. She is widely recognized for the “Bonaly backflip,” a move only she has performed which consists of a backflip with a full split in the air, landed on one blade. She was also the first female skater to attempt quadruple jumps (the salchow and toe loop) in ISU (International Skating Union) competition.
Brittyni Carlson, Figure Skating Coach
Brittyni Carlson is a quadruple U.S. Figure Skating Gold Medalist in Skating Skills, Singles, Compulsory Partnered Dance and Solo Free Dance. Her testing credentials also include Preliminary Pairs. Professionally, Brittyni has 18 years of coaching experience in addition to 5 years of experience performing as a professional skater, of which in 4 of those years she toured throughout Europe with Holiday on Ice (HOI). During her employment with HOI and in between contracts she trained at the International Skating Academy in Utretcht, Netherlands. Brittyni was trained in adagio pairs in Australia under the direction of Olympic coaches and performed in various other shows around the United States under multiple short-term contracts. In addition to her coaching credentials, Brittyni has 4 years of experience in aerial arts, specializing in lyra and silks. She has been an instructor for Aerial Dance since 2020, as well as a Certified Cirqfit Lyra instructor and a professional lyra skating specialty act performer. Brittyni also enjoys photography and managing her Skating Inspirations craft boutique business.
Carey Tinkelenberg, Figure Skating Coach
Carey Tinkelenberg is a PSA triple Master Rated coach and director with over 23 years of experience. She is Founding Owner and Director of the Northfield Skating School, national presenter, committee member, and leadership author for U.S. Figure Skating and the Professional Skaters Association, and was one of the inaugural development specialists for Learn to Skate USA. Carey has trained skating coaches on six continents as a Coach Developer with the International Skating Union. Driven by her philosophy of Building Skills and Confidence for Skating and for Life, she guides beginner through gold level athletes to achieve their personal best in both the physical and mental aspects of skating. Originally from Massachusetts, she holds a B.A. in Psychology from Carleton College and now calls Minnesota home. She has served on the PSA Board of Governors and in 2023 was awarded the PSA President's Award of Excellence for the Upper Great Lakes region.
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