Figure Skating Coaching Staff
Meet the professional figure skating coaching team at Fire & Ice Arena
🔥 OPENING SEPTEMBER 2026 ❄️ — Phoenix's Premier Multi-Sport Destination
Meet the professional figure skating coaching team at Fire & Ice Arena
Our coaching team is nearly assembled as we prepare for our September 2026 opening. We are actively recruiting experienced figure skating professionals who share our commitment to athlete development and excellence on the ice.
Mark Fitzgerald has been involved in virtually every aspect of figure skating for more than 30 years. A longtime member of Team USA, Mark earned a national medal in 1993, represented the United States at two World Junior Championships, competed extensively on the international circuit, and concluded his competitive career at the 1999 World Championships in Helsinki, Finland. Having competed in figures, singles, pairs, and ice dance, he brings an unusually comprehensive understanding of the sport.
Since 2000, Mark has coached skaters at the national and international levels, helping approximately 300 athletes earn U.S. Figure Skating gold medals across multiple disciplines. His students have advanced to Junior Nationals, U.S. Championships, Adult Nationals, and the Junior Grand Prix. A jump specialist, Mark combines extensive pole-harness instruction with expert video analysis to help athletes understand technique, correct movement patterns, and develop their elements safely and efficiently. He is also the author of The Stay Sharp Interactive Manual, a definitive instructional resource on Skating Skills.
Mark has served on multiple U.S. Figure Skating committees since 1994, contributing to Singles, Program Development, and Basic Skills/Learn to Skate USA. As one of 10 business-development consultants selected to help implement Learn to Skate USA, he traveled throughout the Southwest working with rink owners, managers, and program directors as they transitioned to the new curriculum. He also created the organization’s online tutorials for its registration system.
As the founder of Rink Tank Interactive, Mark helped bring skating education into the digital age. The company developed the U.S. Figure Skating Skate Coach app series in collaboration with U.S. Figure Skating, along with the Elite Sk8 instructional apps. Covering everything from Learn to Skate, hockey, and speed skating to elite jumping, pattern dance, solo dance, and Skating Skills, these resources have reached skaters and coaches in more than 72 percent of ISU member countries.
Mark is also the founder of Stay Sharp Sports, a rapidly growing skating-equipment, service, and lifestyle brand with a significant online presence. An authorized EDEA dealer and expert skate sharpener, Mark created the world’s first solar-powered mobile skate shop, bringing professional fitting, sharpening, equipment, and technical services directly to skating communities. Stay Sharp continues to expand beyond traditional skate retail, with a dedicated clothing line scheduled to launch in fall 2026 featuring heated gear and other original innovations designed specifically for athletes, coaches, and life at the rink.
Mark holds a master’s degree in New Media Journalism from Northwestern University and a bachelor’s degree in English and Journalism from the University of Delaware. Fluent in German and French, he brings together elite competitive experience, technical coaching expertise, education, technology, and entrepreneurship—all in service of advancing figure skating and helping athletes reach their fullest potential.
Jill Watson brings decades of elite skating experience, technical knowledge, and professional coaching expertise to every skater she teaches. A three-time U.S. National Pairs Champion, World Bronze Medalist, and 1988 Olympic Bronze Medalist, Jill understands firsthand what it takes to develop strong fundamentals, competitive confidence, and long-term success in the sport.
Since 2005, Jill has coached skaters ranging from complete beginners to World and Olympic-level competitors. Her coaching approach combines clear communication, thoughtful organization, and individualized instruction tailored to each athlete’s goals and abilities. Her background as a personal trainer also allows her to incorporate athletic development, conditioning, and healthy movement into her work with skaters.
Jill earned a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology, Sports Marketing, and Management from Indiana University. Her distinguished career also includes performing with Ice Capades, serving as an Olympic Torch Bearer, being named Figure Skating Athlete of the Year, and induction into the Figure Skating Hall of Fame in 2004. She is a member of U.S. Figure Skating and the Professional Skaters Association and is SafeSport certified.
Lisa brings more than 30 years of coaching experience in figure skating, hockey, choreography, and athlete development. An ESA Certified Coach and U.S. Figure Skating CORE Coach, she has worked at more than ten ice arenas across the country and has developed skaters who have competed at the Regional, Adult National, and National Showcase levels.
A U.S. Figure Skating Gold Medalist in Freeskate and Skating Skills, Lisa trained at the Detroit Skating Club under Olympic and World-level coaches. Her background includes freestyle, figures, dance, synchronized skating, power skating, off-ice training, and performance development.
Lisa coaches skaters from beginner through Gold levels, with specialties in elite development, adult instruction, group classes, choreography, and hockey skating skills. She has also served as Power Skating Coach for Centennial High School’s hockey program, founded and coached the Gabriel Richard High School Figure Skating Team, and previously worked as a Figure Skating Director in San Antonio.
Lisa earned a Bachelor of Science in Communications from Grand Valley State University and previously worked in marketing for the NHL’s Phoenix Coyotes. Her coaching philosophy focuses on developing confident, technically strong athletes with character, discipline, and a lifelong respect for skating.
Meegan McDonald brings more than 25 years of coaching experience and four decades of involvement in figure skating. She specializes in freestyle, choreography, edge quality, power, jumps, and spins, working with skaters ranging from beginners and adults to advanced competitive athletes.
A U.S. Figure Skating Double Gold Medalist, Meegan competed through the senior level before beginning a professional performance career. From 1997 through 2013, she traveled extensively as a professional skater with productions including Disney on Ice, Glacier Ice, Rand Productions, Nancy Kerrigan’s Footloose on Ice, and Japan’s Fantasy on Ice. During her performing career, she worked with respected choreographers and skating professionals from around the world.
Meegan later served as Head Coach and Choreographer at Sno-King Kirkland, where she focused on building strong technical foundations while helping skaters develop confidence, artistry, and performance quality. Her coaching philosophy centers on meeting each athlete where they are, strengthening their fundamental skills, and creating a positive environment in which they can grow both on and off the ice.
Tiffany Tilvan brings more than 20 years of experience in figure skating, dance, choreography, and athlete development. A U.S. Figure Skating Double Gold Medalist and former regional competitor, she combines strong technical knowledge with an encouraging, goal-oriented approach to coaching.
Tiffany has coached skaters of varying ages and ability levels in both private and group lessons. Her instruction focuses on building sound technique, confidence, performance quality, and sportsmanship while preparing athletes for competitions, exhibitions, and skating shows. Her background in ballet, jazz, lyrical, contemporary, and hip-hop also strengthens her work in choreography, musical interpretation, and overall presentation.
In addition to her skating and dance experience, Tiffany previously performed as an NHL cheerleader for the Arizona Coyotes, representing the organization at games, promotional events, media appearances, and community functions. She is a certified Learn to Skate instructor and U.S. Figure Skating member who is committed to helping every athlete grow through positive mentorship, discipline, and personalized training.
Addy is a three-time U.S. Figure Skating gold medalist, earning gold in Skating Skills, Singles, and most recently Solo Pattern Dance. With 14 years on the ice and more than a decade of competitive experience, she is also the 2024 Senior Excel Arizona State Champion.
Adelynn qualified for the Senior Excel event at the 2025 and 2026 Excel National Final and Festival, as well as the 2025 Solo Ice Dance National Final. Her skating background includes advanced spins, jumps, ice dance, performance, and athletic conditioning.
Since 2022, Adelynn has shared her love of skating as a junior coach with the Learn to Skate program at AZ Ice Gilbert, teaching everyone from young children to adults. She is SafeSport certified and currently studies sports psychology at Grand Canyon University, furthering her understanding of confidence, motivation, and positive athletic performance.
Addy is a two-time U.S. Figure Skating gold medalist, earning gold in both Skating Skills and Singles. With 12 years of competitive experience, she has competed at the regional, sectional, and national levels.
Addison’s achievements include competing at the 2024 Midwestern Sectional Championships at the Junior level and the 2026 Excel National Final and Festival at the Senior level. She has also participated in multiple seasons of the National Qualifying Series and brings experience in double and triple jumps, advanced spins, skating skills, and performance.
Addison is currently studying exercise science at Grand Canyon University, expanding her knowledge of anatomy, physiology, nutrition, exercise, and sports performance. Her athletic experience, academic background, and genuine love for figure skating shape her thoughtful and well-rounded approach to the sport.