Private Lessons are given by an individual coach to a skater. The private ice season fee is paid to EGF Parks and Rec. This fee is in addition to the cost of each lesson paid to your private coach. If you choose to hire a private coach, they will assign a practice time for you each week to improve your Basic Skills, Moves-in-the-Field, Freestyle, Dance levels. etc. They can also keep you informed throughout the season and give you opportunities to compete individually or test over and beyond the Learn to Skate program through U.S Figure Skating.

When choosing a private coach, make sure you ask for their credentials and references.  Remember, they are considered independent business owners that run their own private lessons. Some things to consider when selecting a coach are personality, learning and teaching styles, experience and technical knowledge. 

Private coaches that are not hired by the city to coach other groups, must pay a fee to coach on our ice.

Amanda Fontaine

Personal Bio
Amanda was born and raised in Thief River Falls, MN and started skating with the Thief River Falls Skating Club at the age of 2. She competed individually, and completed her Gold test in Dance. She started coaching learn to skate/basic skills in middle school and continued throughout college, during which time she also did some individual private coaching. Amanda has a B.A. in Communications from UND, and worked in the areas of Marketing & Human Resources for about 6 years. She is married to her high school sweetheart, and is currently a full time mama to their 3 young kiddos - Aksel, Echo, and Anakin! 

Private Lesson Offering
Basic Skills, Moves in the Field, Dance, Freestyle 

Coaching Experience
10 years Learn To Skate / Basic Skills
2 years Private Lessons 

Addison Kraft

Personal Bio
Addison grew up in Devils Lake and skated with the Lake Region FSC for 16 years. She competed individually in various categories and on a synchro team during those years. She will be attending the University of North Dakota in the fall, majoring in Psychology with hopes to get into UNDs medical school.

Private Lesson Offering
Dance and Skating Skills (Moves in the Field)

Coaching History
Addison has assisted with Learn to Skate lessons over the past 2 years. This will be her first year as a private lesson coach.

Amanda Lilleberg

Personal Bio
Amanda was born and raised in Devils Lake and skated with the Lake Region FSC starting at age 2 throughout high school. She competed individually in various categories and on a synchro team. She joined Team ND Synchronized Skating Team as well as UNDs Hockey Cheer Team while in college. She is currently a registered dietitian.

Private Lesson Offering
Freestyle, Moves in the Field, Dance, Basic Skills, Choreography, Power Skating and Synchronized Skating

Coaching History
3 years coaching private lessons at TRFSC
7 years coaching basic skills

Taryn Nelson

Personal Bio
Taryn is from Bismarck, ND. She skated for BFSC for the past 12 years and did synchro for 10. She is currently attending the University of North Dakota.

Private Lesson Offering
Taryn is offering freestyle, skating skills, dance and basic skills lessons as well as choreography and music cutting

Coaching History
Taryn is a USFS certified coach with 4 years of experience.
First year coaching synchro 2024-2025

Jolea Kraft

Personal Bio
Jolea grew up in Devils Lake and started skating with the Lake Region FSC at the age of 2. She competed individually in various categories and on synchro during those years. She is currently a student at the University of North Dakota majoring in Kinesiology and studying Physical Therapy.

Private Lesson Offering
-Skating Skills (Moves in the Field) 
-Dance
-Music cutting 
-Singles (Free Skate)
-Skating Skills 
-Choreography
-Synchronized Skating
-Basic Skills

Coaching History
7 years- learn to skate
4 years- private lessons 
3 years- synchro 

Feebe Harlow

Personal Bio
Feebe was born and raised in Grand Forks, ND!  She currently works for the Grand Forks Police Department in Dispatch! Feebe started skating with Grand Forks Parks & Rec and skated with them for 1 year before moving to BBFSC skating for 12 years Individually and on their Synchronized Skating Teams!!  She now skates with NLFSC along with being a Private and Synchronized Skating coach! 

Private Lesson Offering
Freestyle and Choreography, Moves in the Field, Dance, Solo Free Dance, Basic Skills, Music Cutting and Synchronized Skating

Coaching History
9 years Learn To Skate Coach
6 years Ice Show Choreographer
2 years Private Coaching
1 year Synchronized Skating 

Grace Vetter

Personal Bio
My name is Grace Vetter. I started skating at the age of 3 and skated both individually and synchronized. I will be graduating in November from Northwestern Health Sciences University with my Doctor of Chiropractic. When not on the ice you can find me hanging out with my family or baking in my kitchen!

Private Lesson Offering
I have limited availability. I offer the following: Choreography, Moves in the Field, Freeskate, Dance, Music Cutting, Learn to Skate

Coaching History
I have 4 years of Learn to Skate coaching experience along with 3 years of private and synchronized coaching. 

Kaela Helland

Personal Bio
Kaela was born in Thief River Falls, MN and skated at the TRFSC for 11 years. She moved to East Grand Forks and skated for the NLFSC for 4 years. Kaela is currently attending UND for Kinesiology. This will be Kaela’s third year skating for the UND Hockey Cheer team. Kaela is a triple gold medalist in Solo Freestyle, Moves in the Field, and Dance. 

Private Lesson Offering
Moves in the field, dance, and freestyle

Coaching History
2 years junior coached at the TRFSC 
9 years Learn to Skate coaching
4 years coaching private lessons at NLFSC

Kimberly Idland

Personal Bio
Kimberly was born and raised in Minot, ND where she skated with the Magic City FSC. While skating with the Magic City FSC she  was a part of 3 National Gold Medalist Synchronized skating teams and two World teams along with completing her gold tests in Dance, Freeskate, and Moves in the Field. She is employed at the University of North Dakota as the Student Employment Manager. In her spare time she loves to travel, with some of her favorite travel vacations including Australia, Hawaii, Philippines, New York, and Nashville. 

Private Lesson Offering
- Skating skills (moves in the field)
- Dance

Coaching History
- 28 years of private coaching experience 
- 23 years of synchronized skating coaching experience (IJS and 6.0) 

Brianna Anderson

Personal Bio
Brianna grew up in EGF and has been skating with NLFSC since she was 3 years old. She is currently attending UND to major in Nursing. Brianna currently works at Altru Health System as a Nurse Aide alongside private coaching.  

Private Lesson Offering
Freestyle, Dance, Moves in the Field, Choreography, Basic Skills, and Synchronized Skating. 

Coaching History
First-year private coach with 1 year of junior coaching and 5 years of learn-to-skate experience.

Melissa Badger

Personal Bio
Melissa grew up in EGF and received a Masters of Science in Special Education and a Bachelors in Physical Education/ Exercise Science & Health from UND. She is married with two daughters and her full time occupation is a Special Education Process Facilitator. She also Coaches at Grand Forks Public Schools. 

Private Lesson Offering
Freestyle, Dance, Moves in the Field, Choreography, Power Skating, Basic Skills, Basic Hockey, Power/Edge Class & Synchronized Skating.

Coaching History
- 24 years Individual Private Lessons (Freestyle, Dance, Free Dance, Moves, Choreography, Power Skating)
- 24 years Choreographing Competitive Individual Programs (Freestyle, Short-Program, Artistic, Compulsory, Spins, Team, Jumps, Solo-Free Dance)
- 24 years Ice Show Choreographer
- 12 years Power Skating / Edge Class

Allyson Batko

Personal Bio
Allyson grew up in EGF and has skated with NLFSC since she was 5. She is attending UND to major in Communication and Science Disorders.

Private Lesson Offering
Freestyle, Dance, Skating Skills (Moves in the Field), Basic Skills and Synchro.

Coaching History
- First year coach with 2 years of junior coaching experience.

Ellie Vonesh

Personal Bio
Ellie was born and raised EGF. She received her Master of Science degree in Speech-Language Pathology from the University of North Dakota. Ellie currently works at Altru Health System as a speech pathologist providing therapy to adults and children.  Along with coaching private lessons at Northern Lights Figure Skating Club, she also coaches private lessons in Grafton, ND through the Border Blades Figure Skating Club.  She enjoys working will all ages and skill levels. 

Private Lesson Offering
- Skating skills (moves in the field)
- Dance
- Singles (free skate)
- Basic Skills
- Power Skating
- Basic Hockey Skills
- Music Cutting
- Synchronized Skating 

Coaching History
- 6 years of private coaching experience 
- 5 years of synchronized skating coaching experience (IJS and 6.0) 

Jenna Peterson

Personal Bio
Jenna grew up in EGF and has skated with NLFSC for 12 years. She attends UND.

Private Lesson Offering
Synchro, freestyle, skating skills, and basic skills

Coaching History
- First year coach with 2 years of junior coaching experience.