Our Coaches
Julie Pondelli
Head Coach
Julie is in her 8th season coaching the Northeastern Figure Skating Club. Julie has been coaching for over 20 years and teaches all level from beginners to regional competitors. She is a triple gold medalist in Skating Skills, Freestyle, and Solo Free Dance. Through the Professional Skater's Association, Julie holds a Senior ranking in Skating Skills, Certified Rating in Freestyle, and Registered Rating in Groups. In addition to coaching for Northeastern, Julie is on professional staff at Colonial Figure Skating Club, Northeast Skating Club, and North Shore Skating Club as well as teaching for many Learn to Skate USA programs in the area.
She is a graduate of Northeastern's College of Professional Studies where she received her MS in Applied Nutrition. She is an Athletics and Fitness Association of American Certified Group Exercise Instructor and a Registered Dietitian, working towards her credentialing as a Certified Sports Nutrition Specialist. She has had the privilege to work with Northeastern's Athletic department for her Sports Nutrition rotation as a part of her dietetic internship.
Julie loves coaching with this team and knows how much hard work it takes to continue your skating career while in college. She has proudly watched the team grow and develop into the competitive team of 65 members that it is today. The team's ultimate goal is to qualify for the National Intercollegiate Finals.
Elizabeth is in her 5th season coaching our team! Elizabeth grew up skating in Centra Pennsylvania and holds her USFS gold medals in MIF and Ice Dance. Elizabeth began coaching group and private lessons in greater Boston over a decade ago, and she founded a high school team for skaters in the Metro North area. Elizabeth specializes in stroking skills, edgework, and compulsory ice dance.
Elizabeth completed both her B.A. in Pure and Applied Mathematics and her M.A.T. in Secondary Math Education from Boston University. At BU, she skated with BU’s intercollegiate figure skating club, and was a member of their 2009 and 2010 National Champion teams.
She loves encouraging her students to fill the rink with their skating. A lifelong mathlete and a fitness lover, when she’s not on the ice, Elizabeth works full time as a high school math teacher and holds a Personal Training certification with the National Academy of Sports Medicine.
Elizabeth Tirrell
Head Coach
Kate McSwain
Choreographer
Kate McSwain (she/her) 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 an extensive training in multiple sytles 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.