301-662-7362 | 1288 Riverbend Way, Frederick, MD 21701

Coaches

Our Skating Instructors

Meet the
Coaches

Every member of our coaching staff has competed at the figure skating or ice dancing level. Each coach is required to maintain:

  •  US Figure Skating (USFS) membership
  •  Learn to Skate USA membership
  •  Continuing Education Requirements (CER)
  •  SafeSport Training
  •  Background Check

Kim Benkoski-Cottingham

Private & LTS Coach

21+ years of coaching experience. Member of USFC and Learn to Skate USA. Triple Gold Medalist (moves in field, dance and Freestyle). Power skating and off ice training experience. Trained at the Olympic training center in Lake Placid, NY with the famed Scotvold’s.

Private Lesson Fee: $32 – 1/2 hour

kbenkoski@yahoo.com

(315) 345-4600

Daniel Dehart

Private & LTS Coach

1+ years of coaching experience. Daniel is a member of USFS and Learn to Skate USA. Double USFS Gold team finalist. Trained 6 years with Olympic bronze medalist (moves in field and ice dance). Four time ice dance national development ze medalist Ruslan Goncharov. Trained with top ice dance coaches and tech specialists.

Private Lesson Fee: $28-1/2 hour

dannydehart@gmail.com

(240) 722-2506

Marie Deluca

Private & LTS Coach

31+ years of coaching experience. Marie is a member of USFS and Learn to Skate USA. Ice skating coach core certification. Safesport certified training in concussion, first responder. State and regional roller skating champion in freestyle. National artistic roller skating team Dance champion 2012-2017.

Private Lesson Fee: $35-1/2 hour

(571) 594-3668

Jessica Dockens

Private & LTS Coach

8+ years of coaching experience. Jessica is a member of USFS, Learn to Skate USA, and USA Hockey. USFS Core Certified Coach and SkateSafe certified. Works with all ages of skaters from beginners to advanced. 8 years of competitive figure skating.  Eastern Sectional Gold Medalist Synchro Skater. Experience with Hockey Instruction.

Private Lesson Fee: $35-1/2 hour

jess_d76@yahoo.com

(240) 344-9955

Ally Fachler

Private & LTS Coach

10+ years of coaching experience. Ally is a member of USFS and Learn to Skate USA. USFS Double Gold Medalist-Moves in Field, Solo Free Dance. 12+ years of freestyle and synchronized skating experience. National-level synchronized skater (2014-2017). 

Private Lesson Fee: $32-1/2 hour

ally.fachler@gmail.com

(240) 397-1707

Amanda Fogle

Private & LTS Coach

24+ years of coaching experience. Amanda is a member of USFS and Learn to Skate USA. 21 years of coaching synchronized skating experience. Synchronized sectional Gold medalist skater. Synchronized sectional Gold medalist coach. Excel National Festival Coach.

Private Lesson Fee: $43-1/2 hour

precisionskater723@gmail.com

(240) 357-5273

Connie Fogle

Private & LTS Coach

20+ years of coaching experience. Connie is a member of USFS and Learn to Skate USA. An International, National, National Development, Eastern Sectional Silver Medalist and Junior National Coach. 2019 U.S. Figure Skating/PSA Honor Roll Coach. PSA Master Rated Freeskate Coach. Specializing in jump and spin technique.

Private Lesson Fees: 

$34-1/2 hour Beginners (Snowplow – FreeSkate 2)

$50-1/2 hour Intermediate – Advance (FS 3 & UP)

connie.fogle2011@gmail.com

(443) 536-5769

Summer Frillman

Private & LTS Coach

6+ years of coaching experience. Summer is a member of USFS and Learn to Skate USA. U.S. Figure Skating Core Certified Coach. Choreography for competition programs. Specializes in teaching beginner and youth skaters. Loves working with kids and helping skaters reach their goals.

Private Lesson Fee: $36-1/2 hour

sumjones02@gmail.com

(703) 282-4136

Cathy Galloway

Private & LTS Coach

21+ years of coaching experience. Cathy is a member of USFS and Learn to Skate USA. Gold moves in Field and Freestyle. South Atlantic Regional Champion Coach. National Senior Ladies Competitor in Australia.

Private Lesson Fee: $38-1/2 hour

catgallo11@icloud.com

(240) 291-6364

Debby Jones

Private & LTS Coach

45+ years of coaching experience. Debby is a member of USFS and Learn to Skate USA. Coached multiple skaters through the Gold test. Specializes in Moves in the Field/Skating Skills. PSA Master Rated Coach in Skating Skills & Group Instruction. Co-Chair PSA Accelerated Coaching Committee and Apprenticeship Program. 29 years of teaching public school.

Private Lesson Fee: $45-1/2 hour

*currently not accepting new students*

Walter Lang

Private & LTS Coach

25+ years of coaching experience. Walter is a member of USFS. Specializes in ice dance, stroking, power, moves in field, footwork, and choreography. Coach of Regional, Sectional, and National Medalists, also Gold International Dances.

Private Lesson Fee: $50-1/2 hour

langwal527@gmail.com

(617) 605-3809

Mia Lovell

Private & LTS Coach

7+ years of coaching experience. Mia is a member of USFS, Learn to Skate USA, and Pro Skaters. Professional show skater with Ice Creative Entertainment. American Ice Theater level 2 certified choreographer. Specializes in choreography, ice dance, jump, and skill technique. 2024 US Intercollegiate National Champion. Undergraduate degree in Exercise Science.

Private Lesson Fee:

$34-1/2 hour Beginners (Snowplow-Freeskate 2)

$40 1/2 hour Intermediate – Advance (FS 3 & Up)

www.icecraftskating.com

icecraftskating@gmail.com

Shannon Monardes

Private & LTS Coach

7+ years of coaching experience. Shannon is a member of USFS and Learn to Skate USA. 2007 Synchronized Skating Junior World Bronze Medalist. 2007 Synchronized Skating US Gold Medalist. 2005, 2006 Synchronized Skating Silver Medalist. 22 years of skating experience.

Private Lesson Fee: $39-1/2 hour

bauershannon1@gmail.com

(847) 863-4085

Cary Summerlin

Private & LTS Coach

30+ years of coaching experience. Cary is a member of USFS and Learn to Skate USA. Silver Medalist Pairs Skater. Theater on Ice Choreographer. national Synchronized Skating Coach and Competitor. Experience with Hockey Instruction. Sparklers USFS Synchronized Skating Head Coach 7 years.

Private Lesson Fee: $38-1/2 hour

carystarfish@hotmail.com

Kristen Townsend Adler

Private & LTS Coach

18+ years of coaching experience. Kristen is a member of USFS and Learn to Skate USA. Teaches yoga and pilates. experience with hockey Instruction. Mentored under PSA Master Rated Coach Donald Laws. Special Olympics coordinator for the May Day Open.

Private Lesson Fee: $30-1/2 hour

smilysk8@aol.com

(301) 514-6077

Meet Our
Jr LTS Coaches

Gabi

Mark

Sarah

One-on-One Instruction for Every Level

Private Lessons

Private lessons give skaters of any age or level the chance to work directly with one of our professional coaches. They’re a great way to master tricky skills, prepare for competition, or simply progress faster than group lessons allow.

How Private Lessons Work

  • Private lesson agreements are made directly between you and your chosen coach
  • Lessons are taught during public sessions and freestyle times (early mornings, afternoons, evenings, and Saturday midday)
  • Lesson fees vary by coach
  • Ice usage fees apply in addition to coaching fees
  • All ice time and instructor fees must be paid in the Pro Zone before the lesson begins

Important to Know

  • Coaches are independent contractors. Skate Frederick does not handle scheduling, cancellations, or rescheduling.
  • Exchange contact info with your coach to handle communication directly.
  • Cancel lessons directly with your coach. Skate Frederick staff are not responsible for parent/coach communications.

Questions? Call Kelly at 301-662-7362 ext. 16.

Selecting a Coach For Private Instruction 

Congratulations on choosing to enhance your skating with private instruction. Finding the right coach is one of the most important decisions you’ll make as a skater, and the right fit can shape your skating career for years to come.

Use this guide to help you choose a coach who’s right for you:

  1. Check availability. Reach out to one of our instructors listed above to see if they’re accepting new students.
  2. Ask about their coaching philosophy. Every coach approaches the sport differently. Make sure your values align. Do you share the same philosophy and goals?
  3. Agree on a lesson time. Be sure to set up a meeting spot with your instructor for the first lesson.
  4. Pay for lesson at our Pro Shop prior to skating. Instructor’s rates are listed in their bios above.
  5. Try a few lessons. Schedule trial lessons before making a long-term commitment.

Skate Frederick is where Frederick’s figure skaters grow. We offer a complete program for beginners through advanced competitive levels, with freestyle sessions and private lessons available Monday through Saturday.

Ice skating lessons are offered year-round at our dual-rink facility, designed for skaters of every age and ability. Whether your skater is 3 years old taking their first steps on the ice or an adult learning a new skill!