Peabody Skating Club

Our mission is to teach children the basics of ice skating in a safe and fun environment. We strive to give the highest quality services for a very affordable price. All of our instructors are members of the US Figure Skating Association and some have been teaching for over 30 years.

Director
Darlene Giardina
The Peabody Skating Club is proud to announce that Darlene Giardina will be the new director of the club starting in 2015. Darlene has been on the club's coaching staff for over 30 years. With this, she also brings over 50 years of coaching experience. She was the director of her own learn to skate program at the Cronin Rink in Revere for over 25 years. Darlene is also on staff at the North Shore Skating Club, Winthrop Skating Association, North East Skating Club, Silver Streaks Skating Club, and FMC Ice Sports. Darlene has coached thousands of children and adults and has choreographed hundreds of programs and show numbers. Darlene is a member of U.S. Figure Skating and the Professional Skaters Association. We wish her well!

Instructors
Tricia Mulcahy O'Donnell
Tricia began skating at the age of six at the Chaval Figure Skating Club in Essex, Massachusetts and has been teaching skating for over 20 years. She has passed her Senior Free Skating and 7th Figure tests and has competed and medaled in numerous opens and inter-clubs at all levels. She travels throughout the United States to attend PSA (Professional Skaters Association) International Conferences, which feature World and Olympic coaches, to learn about the latest rules and techniques in regards to jumps/spins, program content, injury prevention, off ice training, sports psychology, nutrition, and biomechanics. She currently holds active PSA Ratings in both Moves-in-the-Field and Freestyle. She also has a Bachelor of Science Degree in Psychology with a double minor in Sports Management and English. Her students have competed and medaled at competitions such as the State Games of America, ISI Worlds, New England Regionals, and other various opens and inter-clubs throughout the New England area.

Diane Boucas Johnson
Diane began skating on the North Shore, then Commonwealth Skating Club, then moved to the Skating Club of Boston for her training with Thomas J. McGinnis in all aspects of Skating: Figures, Freestyle, Dance and Pairs. She successfully passed almost all levels in each discipline: Figures, Freestyle, Dance and Pairs, and competed in Singles through Junior ladies. She then began skating with partner Roger Collard and won Gold Medals in Regional and Sectionals and Bronze Medals at Nationals. They were alternates on the Olympic team. Having taught both U.S.F.S. and I.S.I organizations, Diane has brought many skaters, children through adult, from basic skills to Nationals in Singles and Pairs, including Adult Nationals, Junior Nationals, Junior Olympics, Regional, Sectionals, and I.S.I Worlds.

Helen Hatch
Helen is a member of the Professional Skaters Association-Basic Accreditation cer A compliant 2015-16. She trained under Olympian Maribel Vinson Owen and was a three time Regional medalist and Eastern Competitor. Helen is presently marking her 25th year as a visiting lecturer of Ice Skating with Salem State University. She has coached competitive students from beginner to Eastern Senior Level and enjoys working with all ages at both recreational and competitive levels.

Nicole Giardina
Nicole was the former Program Director for FMC Ice Sports in Burlington and Chelmsford. She is a member of U.S. Figure Skating and I.S.I and has been coaching recreation skaters of all ages for over 30 years. She coached for the Bay State Skating School, North East Skating Club, and Winthrop Skating Association. Nicole has been with our club for 20 years. She is also a certified dance instructor teaching tap, ballet, and jazz. Nicole is a graduate of Northeastern University and Suffolk Law School. She is an attorney who has been practicing law for over 20 years.

Marcy Hahnen
Marcy has over 30 years of experience coaching Competitive/Recreational Skaters, Tots thru Adults, and JV/Varsity Hockey Teams from Basic Skills to Senior Level. Marcy's students have won titles for National Collegiate Champion, New England Championship, Inter-club, Opens, Adult Championship, and Bay State Games to State Games of America. Marcy is an ISI Certified Gold Judge Choreographer for ice show soloists and production numbers.

Samantha Johnson
Samantha began skating at the age of 5 and joined her home club, the North Shore Skating Club, at the age of 10. She was a member of the Merrimack College Figure Skating Team from 2019-2023, where she performed at the men's hockey games and competed at intercollegiate competitions throughout the North East Region. In May of 2023, she graduated with her bachelor's degree in Health Science. Most recently, Samantha passed her Adult Gold Skating Skills test, becoming a US Figure Skating Gold medalist. Currently, she is attending MGH Institute of Health Professions pursuing her doctorate degree in Occupational Therapy.

Kimberly Way
Kimberly started skating at her home club, the North Shore Skating Club, at the age of 5. She continued her figure skating journey until her senior year of high school. During the years she skated, she attended many competitions including Bay State Games and traveled for State Games of America. Now, she finds joy in coaching others and helping them kickstart their skating journey or just for fun. By the end of April 2024, Kim will have earned her bachelor's degree with a double concentration in Digital Marketing and Social Media Marketing.

Melissa Vecchio
Melissa began skating at the age of 7 with the Mass Bay Skating Club. She has been a coach for almost 30 years at the North Shore Skating Club in Reading. Melissa is the Burbank Pre K Skating Director and a U.S. Figure Skating double Gold medalist.

Founder
Sally Larkin-Bettencourt
Sally founded the Peabody Skating Club in 1974. She had been the Owner, Director, and a Coach for 40 years. Sally recently retired in July of 2015, but still has a strong influence in the Club and has stayed on Director Emeritus. We want to thank Sally for her 40 years of dedication and for sharing her love and expertise of skating to thousands of children and adults. We all wish her the very best for a long, happy, and healthy retirement.