Group Skating - Meet the Pros
Christi joined the Winter Club staff in 2011 and has served as Head Pro since 2014. In this capacity, she oversees both the Power Skating, Skating Development classes and Figure Skating programs. Christi also ran the NCWC Mite Development Program for nine years. Christi is a USA Hockey Level 4 certified coach and co-owner of Hockey Skills Academy with her husband, Clark.
A USFS Triple Gold Medalist in Figures, Freestyle, and Skating Skills, Christi’s background, while rooted in St. Louis, started early in Littleton, Colorado, and spanned to training centers in Colorado Springs, and Dallas. Over her two decades of teaching, Christi has worked with a diverse range of skaters, from national and international figure skaters to collegiate and professional hockey players.
Notably, Christi was the Skating Director at the Ice Zone, the practice facility for the St. Louis Blues, during its inaugural season before moving to Minnesota where she played a pivotal role in developing the figure skating program at the esteemed Shattuck-St. Mary's School in Fairbault. During her time at SSM, Christi taught art, served as Challenge Course Director, Strength and Conditioning coach, Risk Management Coordinator and was able to work with several hockey players. Christi’s clinics and lessons are infused with extensive knowledge of edge and stride mechanics, as well as techniques for generating power through transitions. Christi employs video analysis and various teaching aids in her sessions to ensure that each player receives tailored development.
Away from the Winter Club, Christi enjoys spending time with her husband, three kids and dog. She is a graduate of Principia College with a BA in Fine Arts.
The Winter Club has been a home skating club to Barbara for nearly 40 years. She is a four time USFSA Gold Medalist in Figures, Freestyle, Ice Dancing, and Skating Skills (formerly Moves in the Field), and Intermediate in Pairs.
Along with teaching figure skating, Barbara has also worked with multiple levels of hockey players, training them in the biomechanics of strong skating. Barbara previously worked at the Coliseum Skating Club in Voorhees, NJ (home training facility of the Philadelphia Flyers) from 1985-87 where she was the Head Pro of Figure Skating.
Barbara studied Art and Art History at Villanova University, where she met her husband, and together they raised four children. Recently, she enjoys spending time with her grandchildren. Barbara is grateful to be a part of the NCWC family and looks forward to the winter season!
Laura has been coaching at the New Canaan Winter Club for over 30 years where she works to instill a healthy, enjoyable approach to training while building strong foundational skills for safe and efficient development.
She was a former competitive skater from the Smithfield Figure Skating Club where she was trained by Lori Castelli and the late Diane Brown. She later joined and toured with Walt Disney’s Snow White on Ice.
In addition to her years of coaching, Laura also co-authored a story on designer skating attire on elite competitors for American Skating World Magazine in 1998. In 1997, she choreographed the finale of Champions on Ice featuring Olympic Gold Medalist, Oksana Baiul. In the spring of 2015, she was interviewed and appeared on Montreal’s sports network CH24. The television segment highlighted former student and team captain, Max Pacioretty. The story was timed for the Montreal Canadien’s advancement into 2015 Stanley Cup Playoffs.
Laura is a graduate from Syracuse University where she earned a BA in English and minor in creative writing. She continues to work part time in public relations and currently lives with her husband and daughter in Branford, CT.
Barret is a third generation professional after her mother and grandmother. She is a USFS Gold Medalist in both Figures and Freestyle. Barret has been teaching at NCWC for over 20 years. Prior to that, she taught at Beaver Dam in Locust Valley, NY. She works with all levels and ages. Her focus is to give her students the proper skating fundamentals that will assist them in whichever skating discipline they choose. Barret also teaches skating for the New Canaan Country School. Barret is a graduate of Boston College and currently lives in Darien with her husband, daughter, and son.
Jane joined the NCWC staff in 2025. She is a U.S. Figure Skating member and double gold medalist with the Skating Club of New York and Fairfield County. She has competed regionally and locally, up to and including at the senior level. Jane has previously taught group skating lessons to young children of varying ages and abilities. She lives in Darien, CT, with her husband and 4 young children who all love hockey and ice skating.
