Young Grackles coaches are all rated and ranked by the Professional Skater’s Association (PSA), the official education and accreditation association for figure skating coaches in the United States.
Started Coaching: 2000
PSA Rating:
Free Skating (Master)
Skating Skills (Registered)
Group (Registered)
PSA Ranking: Singles Level IV
USFS Test Level: Senior Skating Skills Senior Singles, Bronze Dance
Skaters’ Competition Results:
2024: Broderick Cotter - National Development Team
2024: Christopher Chapa, Broderick Cotter, Madeleine Langevin - Sectional Singles Finalists
2024: Laurel Brechter, Christopher Chapa - US Pairs Finalists
2023: Madeleine Langevin - Excel National Champion
2023: Christopher Chapa, Makenzie Cotter, Madeleine Langevin, Molly Perciavalle - Excel National Finalists
2022: Christopher Chapa, Madeleine Langevin - Excel National Champions
Educational Background:
Towson University (International Affairs, Spanish)
George Washington University (Sustainable Urban Planning)
Coaching Philosophy:
In the simplest of terms, I want to help others be their best, in their own way; both on the ice and off the ice. I want each of my athletes to take ownership of all they do and to love what they do.
Started Coaching: 2018
PSA Rating: Not Rated
PSA Ranking: N/A
USFS Test Level: Senior Skating Skills, Senior Singles, Senior Solo Free Dance
Skaters’ Competition Results:
2024: Broderick Cotter - National Development Team
2024: Christopher Chapa, Broderick Cotter, Madeleine Langevin - Sectional Singles Finalists
2024: Laurel Brechter, Christopher Chapa - US Pairs Finalists
2023: Madeleine Langevin - Excel National Champion
2023: Christopher Chapa, Makenzie Cotter, Madeleine Langevin, Molly Perciavalle - Excel National Finalists
2022: Christopher Chapa, Madeleine Langevin - Excel National Champions
Educational Background:
The University of Texas at Austin, 2019-2022: B.S. Computational Biology, Business Minor, Certificate(s) in Data Science and Computational Science
Georgia Institute of Technology, 2022-Present: MS in Analytics
Coaching Philosophy:
I want to ignite the next generation of skaters' passion and love for the sport. Above all, I want to help them push through their potential and work hard for their goals.
Started Coaching: 2011
PSA Rating: Moves in the Field (Senior)
PSA Ranking: N/A
USFS Test Level: Senior MIF, Senior FS, Pre-Gold Dance
Skaters’ Competition Results:
2019 Senior Moves in the Field - Elise Little
2019 Junior Solo Dance - Elise Little
Educational Background:
BS Nutrition and Dietetics
MEd Sport Science and Nutrition
CSCS Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist
SSN Sport Specialist in Nutrition
PPSC Pain Free Performance Specialist
Coaching Philosophy:
Train with purpose and intent for whole-hearted, well rounded, individualized success. Skating is not a hobby. It's a commitment that, when capitalized on, produces driven, secure, healthier, happier, emotionally and intellectually capable human beings.
Melissa Vriner was a competitive and professional figure skater for 23 years. A U.S. Collegiate Champion, national competitor and a U.S. Figure Skating gold medalist in free skating, moves in the field and pairs. She holds a B.S. in Exercise Science from the University of Delaware and is a Certified Strength and Conditioning Specialist.
Hugo Chouinard has been immersed into the skating world since the age of 5, creating over 49,000 programs in 27 years. He founded the studio in 1993 and was one of the first skating music designers to create computer-generated mixes.
Mei Gee designs custom protective wear for skaters, including specialty crash pads to provide additional protection where falls are mostly likely to occur.
Kate McSwain is an international figure skating choreographer, earning her Master Rating in Choreography from the Professional Skaters Association in 2017 and her AIT Certification in 2012. She is also certified in Pilates, has extensive training in multiple styles of dance, and over a decade of experience teaching yoga. Kate was the Assistant Director of the 2016 ISU World Championship Opening Ceremonies in Boston, and co-choreographer for the 2014 US Figure Skating National Championship Opening Ceremonies. She resides in Boston but travels frequently both nationally and internationally to teach AIT movement seminars, choreograph for competitive skaters, and consult with Theatre on Ice programs and synchronized skating teams. Kate has a B.A. in Theatre from the University of Colorado.
Patti Larkin is a skate technician at Houston Skate & Sports Orthotics. Patti obtained her degree in Orthotics and Prosthetics at UT Southwestern, and performed her residency at the Texas Scottish Rite Hospital for Children - specializing in all pediatric orthopedic issues. Patti has her American Board Certification in Orthotics. After spending almost 20 years directly in the Orthotic field, Patti retired as an Orthotist and opened Houston Skate & Dance Shop, now known as Houston Skate & Sports Orthotics Center and is now recognized as one of the elite skate fitters in the country, Patti is a regular contributor to both Figure Skater Magazine and USFSA Skating Magazine. She has skaters from throughout the nation and across the world visit her on a regular basis for personalized skate fitting and troubleshooting issues.
