Erika Hoffman

About

Personal Profile:
I began my lifelong skating journey when I was 2 years old, my mom and my aunt who both grew up in the sport, introduced me. My mom later went on to judge and my aunt became my coach. Skating became my passion. I enjoyed both singles and ice dance and competed regionally and sectionally. I passed my gold tests in Moves, Free Skate, Dance and Free Dance. In addition, I passed the International Dance tests and the Canadian Gold Free Skate and Dance Tests. I was introduced to Synchronized Skating at age 11. I competed nationally and internationally at the Novice, Jr and Senior levels and at the Sr. World Championships.

I’m grateful to share my passion for this sport with my athletes. I have been coaching since 2001 and have coached beginners through Sr. level skaters in freestyle, moves, dance and synchro.

Outside the rink, I’ve worked as an elementary school teacher for 6 years. I am an avid Red Sox fan, but enjoy all sports, photography and art and love traveling with family and friends.

Formal Education:
Northeastern University, Master of Arts in Teaching, Education
Sigma Epsilon Rho Honor Society
Providence College, Bachelor of Arts, Double Major in History and Studio Art

Coaching Philosophy:
I love coaching because it blends my two passions, teaching and skating, together. Watching athletes develop a sense of mastery and agency for their own skating is rewarding. As with all things in life, I believe strong basics are the key to excellent skating. Technique and understanding of the sport are essential to being able to grow and tackle more difficult skills. Beyond the basics, skating can give us something special to carry us beyond the walls of the rink. Skating can help us believe in ourselves and our teammates. It can encourage us to build each other up so that together we can achieve great things. Stumbles, setbacks, and missteps are all part of skating and life. It is how we choose to respond to them that makes all the difference. I believe we can come back stronger and better prepared each time we are faced with challenges.
My goal is always to make every athlete feel supported and safe. I want them to find joy in their skating, and also learn reliable techniques to build upon.

Experience

Coaching Since:
2001

PSA Ratings:
PSA Certified Rating – Synchronized

PSA Rankings:
PSA Level IV Ranking

Students’ Competitive Achievements:
Regional & Sectional Competitors
Athletes tested from Basic Skills through Sr Moves in the Field, Sr Free Skate, Gold & International Dance Tests
Athletes competing on TEAM USA Synchronized Skating: Jr/ Sr teams
Athletes competing on National Synchronized Skating teams: Juvenile/Intermediate/Novice/Adult/Masters
Sectional Competitors – Synchronized Skating Preliminary and Pre-Juvenile

Synchronized Teams:
Sectional and National Medalists (Preliminary/Juvenile/Intermediate/Novice/Jr/Adult)

Last 4 Years – Students’ Competitive Achievements:
Individual students competing on TEAM USA Synchronized Skating: Jr/ Sr teams
Individual students competing on National Synchronized Skating teams : Juvenile/Intermediate/Novice/Adult/Masters
Individual students competing on Sectional Synchronized Skating Preliminary/ Pre-Juvenile teams

Synchronized Teams:
2020 Novice National Medalists
2020 Adult National Champions
2020 Novice Sectional Medalists
2019 Novice National Competitors
2018 Intermediate National Competitors
2017 Intermediate National Medalists
2016-2019 Adult National Medalists
2017-2018 Intermediate Sectional Medalists
2016-2020 Adult Sectional Medalists
2016-2020 Preliminary Sectional Medalists

Disciplines:
Moves in the Field, Ice Dance, Singles, Edge Work/Turns, Synchronized and Choreography.
Emphasis on the development of sound skating fundamentals to include Balance, Posture, Stroking, and Quality Edges.

Competitive Background:
Regional, Sectional Competitor- Novice & Junior Dance
Novice International Competitor- Ice Dance
Regional & Sectional Figure Competitor

Synchronized Skating:
5-time ,Synchronized Skating World Competitor, 2007-2011
Haydenettes, U.S. Champions in 2007, 2008, 2010, and 2011
World Bronze Medalist 2010 & 2011
2011 World Short Program – Bronze Medal
2011 Mozart Cup Silver Medalist
2010 World Short Program – Silver Medal; Long Program – Bronze Medal
2010 Cup of Berlin Bronze Medalist
2009 French Cup Bronze Medalist
2008 World Free Skate Bronze Medalist
Member of first Junior World Challenge Cup Team, 2001, Bronze Medal
Junior National Champions, 1999 and 2000
Novice & Junior International Medalist
Novice National Champions, 1997
National Synchronized Competitor, 1996-2015

Show History:

Awards

Coaching Awards, Accomplishments & Seminars:
Skaters tested through USFS Gold Tests in Moves, Free Skate, Dance and International Dance Tests

Synchronized Skating:
5 National Medals as Head Coach (Novice/Intermediate)
9 National Medals as Choreographer and Assistant Coach (Adult)
8 National Medals as Assistant Coach (Novice/Junior)

Skating Awards, & Accomplishments:
Quadruple Gold Medalist, U.S. Figure Skating
– Free Skate, Moves in the Field, Dance, Free Dance
Completed International Dance Tests
Canadian Gold Free Skate and Dance Tests
Novice International Competitor in Ice Dance
Regional & Sectional Competitor Novice & Jr Dance
New England Regional Medalist – Figures

Original Member of the USFS D.R.E.A.M Program 2008-2010

Synchronized Skating:
5 -Time- Synchronized Skating World Competitor, 2007-2011
Haydenettes, U.S. Champions in 2007, 2008, 2010, and 2011
World Bronze Medalist 2010 & 2011
2011 World Short Program – Bronze Medal
2010 World Short Program – Silver Medal; Long Program – Bronze Medal
2008 World Free Skate Bronze Medalist
3-time Sr International Medalist
Member of first Junior World Challenge Cup Team, 2001- Bronze Medal
3- time Jr International Medalist
Junior National Champions, 1999 and 2000
2-time Novice International Medalist
Novice National Champions, 1997
Member of Team Cheerios Team of the Year, 1998
National Synchronized Competitor, 1996-2015

Affiliation with U.S. Figure Skating, PSA, ISU:
US Figure Skating Board of Directors, Athlete Member, 2013-2017
US Figure Skating Athlete Advisory Committee Elected Member since 2005
Synchronized Skating Vice-Chair for Athletes Advisory Committee 2010-2014, 2017-2019
US Figure Skating Nominating Committee Elected Athlete Member 2005-2006

Member of various USFS committees since 2005 including: Tests Committee, Synchronized Skating Committee, Dance Committee, Collegiate Committee, Strategic Planning Committee, Ethics Committee, Sanctions and Eligibility Committee, International Judges and Officials Committee, Collegiate Programs Committee, Judges Committee, Membership Committee, Safe Sport Complaints Subcommittee, International Officials Management Subcommittee & International Officials Committee

USFS Festivals/Camps:
USFS Dream Camp, On-ice Faculty 2017
Team Leader, USFS Training Festival 2011-2014

Seminars/ Continuing Ed:
PSA Nationwide Seminars
PSA Regional Seminars
PSA/USFS Synchronized Coaches College

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