Alana Christie
Director of Synchronized Skating & Head Coach
A Minneapolis native, Alana Christie started competing as an individual skater at a young age. She is a double gold medalist in freestyle and moves in the field. After a dozen plus years as an accomplished freestyle skater, Alana skated two seasons for Team Braemar Junior where the team was the 2011 World Junior Bronze Medalists and the 2012 U.S. Synchronized Skating National Junior Champions.
Alana was a member of Miami University Senior Varsity Synchronized Skating team for four seasons, from 2013-2016, where they represented Team USA, claiming medals in international competitions across Europe. She was part of three U.S. Senior World Teams, competing at the World Championships against the best synchronized skating teams in the World. She also served as a co-captain of Miami Senior during the 2015-2016 season. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from Miami University with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology and Health with a concentration in Sports Leadership and Management.
Alana truly has great love and passion for the sport of synchronized skating and is committed to building a world class organization and to giving competitive Twin Cities skaters an opportunity to be a part of this incredible sport. Alana founded the Northernettes in 2017 and is currently the Head Coach of the Junior, Novice, Intermediate, Pre Juvenile and Preliminary Teams (2022-2023 season).
Director of Synchronized Skating & Head Coach
A Minneapolis native, Alana Christie started competing as an individual skater at a young age. She is a double gold medalist in freestyle and moves in the field. After a dozen plus years as an accomplished freestyle skater, Alana skated two seasons for Team Braemar Junior where the team was the 2011 World Junior Bronze Medalists and the 2012 U.S. Synchronized Skating National Junior Champions.
Alana was a member of Miami University Senior Varsity Synchronized Skating team for four seasons, from 2013-2016, where they represented Team USA, claiming medals in international competitions across Europe. She was part of three U.S. Senior World Teams, competing at the World Championships against the best synchronized skating teams in the World. She also served as a co-captain of Miami Senior during the 2015-2016 season. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from Miami University with a Bachelor of Arts in Journalism and a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology and Health with a concentration in Sports Leadership and Management.
Alana truly has great love and passion for the sport of synchronized skating and is committed to building a world class organization and to giving competitive Twin Cities skaters an opportunity to be a part of this incredible sport. Alana founded the Northernettes in 2017 and is currently the Head Coach of the Junior, Novice, Intermediate, Pre Juvenile and Preliminary Teams (2022-2023 season).
Hailey Voss
Assistant Coach
Hailey Voss has been skating for over 20 years and has over 15 years of synchronized skating experience. Hailey skated for the Chicago Jazz where she was a member of their Juvenile, Novice and Junior teams. During her time on the Chicago Jazz, she represented the United States as a member of Team USA internationally five times, competing in France, Germany, Italy, Sweden, and Switzerland.
Hailey then skated at Miami University, where she was a member of both the Junior and Collegiate teams. Hailey skated for both teams as a Freshman, where the Miami University Junior Varsity team represented Team USA in Sweden. She skated on the Collegiate team her remaining three years, winning two US Synchronized Skating Collegiate National Championship gold medals (adding to the teams 17 total National Championship wins).
Hailey holds four National Championship gold medals in addition to her five National medals, as well as an international gold medal. Hailey has loved all aspects of synchronized skating since the day she started and loves continuing that passion through coaching and helping to develop competitive synchronized skaters. She is currently the assistant coach for Northernettes Intermediate, Novice and Junior teams.
Assistant Coach
Hailey Voss has been skating for over 20 years and has over 15 years of synchronized skating experience. Hailey skated for the Chicago Jazz where she was a member of their Juvenile, Novice and Junior teams. During her time on the Chicago Jazz, she represented the United States as a member of Team USA internationally five times, competing in France, Germany, Italy, Sweden, and Switzerland.
Hailey then skated at Miami University, where she was a member of both the Junior and Collegiate teams. Hailey skated for both teams as a Freshman, where the Miami University Junior Varsity team represented Team USA in Sweden. She skated on the Collegiate team her remaining three years, winning two US Synchronized Skating Collegiate National Championship gold medals (adding to the teams 17 total National Championship wins).
Hailey holds four National Championship gold medals in addition to her five National medals, as well as an international gold medal. Hailey has loved all aspects of synchronized skating since the day she started and loves continuing that passion through coaching and helping to develop competitive synchronized skaters. She is currently the assistant coach for Northernettes Intermediate, Novice and Junior teams.
Jillian Christie
Assistant Coach
Born and raised in Minneapolis, Jillian has had a love and passion for the ice since she was three years old. A highly accomplished freestyle skater, Jillian competed as an individual for over 16 years. She was a two-time Minnesota State Champion, a three-time Minnesota State Medalist, a three-time Upper Great Lakes Regional Medalist, and a twelve time USFS National Showcase Medalist. She is a triple Gold Medalist in Moves in the Field, Freestyle, and Solo Dance.
Jillian was a member of Team Braemar Junior for four seasons, winning two U.S. National Championships and three Midwestern Sectional Championships. They also represented Team USA in four international competitions, including the the 2012 World Junior Championships, where they skated to a fourth place finish.
Jillian was also a four year member of the Miami University Senior Varsity Synchronized Skating team. During her time on the team, they represented Team USA at nine international competitions, earning medals at events across Europe. In addition, she was a member of the 2016 World Team, representing Team USA at the Senior World Championships in Budapest, Hungary.
Jillian graduated Magna Cum Laude from Miami University in May, 2019, with a double major in Media & Culture and Interactive Media Studies. She also works as an onboarding manager for Sportsdigita in Minneapolis. She is currently the assistant coach for Northernettes Intermediate, Novice and Junior teams.
Assistant Coach
Born and raised in Minneapolis, Jillian has had a love and passion for the ice since she was three years old. A highly accomplished freestyle skater, Jillian competed as an individual for over 16 years. She was a two-time Minnesota State Champion, a three-time Minnesota State Medalist, a three-time Upper Great Lakes Regional Medalist, and a twelve time USFS National Showcase Medalist. She is a triple Gold Medalist in Moves in the Field, Freestyle, and Solo Dance.
Jillian was a member of Team Braemar Junior for four seasons, winning two U.S. National Championships and three Midwestern Sectional Championships. They also represented Team USA in four international competitions, including the the 2012 World Junior Championships, where they skated to a fourth place finish.
Jillian was also a four year member of the Miami University Senior Varsity Synchronized Skating team. During her time on the team, they represented Team USA at nine international competitions, earning medals at events across Europe. In addition, she was a member of the 2016 World Team, representing Team USA at the Senior World Championships in Budapest, Hungary.
Jillian graduated Magna Cum Laude from Miami University in May, 2019, with a double major in Media & Culture and Interactive Media Studies. She also works as an onboarding manager for Sportsdigita in Minneapolis. She is currently the assistant coach for Northernettes Intermediate, Novice and Junior teams.
Tori Bennett
Assistant Coach
Tori's love for skating began at age 4 when she first took the ice in her hometown of Cleveland, Ohio. Tori began her skating career in synchro with the Mentor Ice Diamonds at the age of 5, where she skated on a Preliminary and a Pre-Juvenile team. She then spent the majority of her career as a highly accomplished freestyle skater and qualified for the Midwestern Sectional Championships five times in the Intermediate, Novice, and Junior divisions. One of her highlights of her individual career was competing at the US Novice/Junior Challenge skate in Salt Lake City and one of her best finishes at Sectionals was sixth place in Bloomington, MN at the Junior level. Tori is a four-time Gold Medalist in Moves in the Field, Dance, Freestyle, and Solo Free Dance.
Tori reconnected with synchro her senior year of high school with the Mentor Ice Diamonds before attending Miami University. Her freshman year she was a member of the Miami’s Collegiate team and won a US Synchronized Skating Collegiate National Championship gold medal. Her remaining years at Miami, she was on the Senior team, becoming a member of Team USA and competed internationally in Sweden and France. Her senior year, the team skated to a silver medal at the National Championships, earning them a spot on the 2022 World Team where they competed in Hamilton, Ontario. Tori graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science in Sports Leadership and Management with a minor in coaching. Tori is currently the assistant coach of the Pre-Juvenile and Preliminary Teams.
Assistant Coach
Tori's love for skating began at age 4 when she first took the ice in her hometown of Cleveland, Ohio. Tori began her skating career in synchro with the Mentor Ice Diamonds at the age of 5, where she skated on a Preliminary and a Pre-Juvenile team. She then spent the majority of her career as a highly accomplished freestyle skater and qualified for the Midwestern Sectional Championships five times in the Intermediate, Novice, and Junior divisions. One of her highlights of her individual career was competing at the US Novice/Junior Challenge skate in Salt Lake City and one of her best finishes at Sectionals was sixth place in Bloomington, MN at the Junior level. Tori is a four-time Gold Medalist in Moves in the Field, Dance, Freestyle, and Solo Free Dance.
Tori reconnected with synchro her senior year of high school with the Mentor Ice Diamonds before attending Miami University. Her freshman year she was a member of the Miami’s Collegiate team and won a US Synchronized Skating Collegiate National Championship gold medal. Her remaining years at Miami, she was on the Senior team, becoming a member of Team USA and competed internationally in Sweden and France. Her senior year, the team skated to a silver medal at the National Championships, earning them a spot on the 2022 World Team where they competed in Hamilton, Ontario. Tori graduated with a Bachelor’s of Science in Sports Leadership and Management with a minor in coaching. Tori is currently the assistant coach of the Pre-Juvenile and Preliminary Teams.
Alyssa Dutton
Assistant Coach
Alyssa Dutton (Sutter), originally from Hartland, MI, is a 9 year member of Team USA. She has earned 9 National medals at the Junior and Senior Synchronized Skating level (2 of which included Gold finishes for both Junior and Senior divisions). Alyssa has made 3 World Championship appearances which all included top 10 finishes (2003, 2009, 2011). Alyssa was a 4 year member of Miami Univeristy Senior Synchronized Skating Team and previously skated for prestigious organizations including Team Elan and Crystallettes. Throughout her 4 years at Miami University, Alyssa was awarded Rookie of the Year in 2009 as well as the Outstanding Senior award and the Thomas J. Fisher Most Outstanding Skater award following her 2011-2012 season as the Senior Varsity Captain.
Alyssa continued her passion for skating and became the Head Coach at Western Michigan University for the 2012-2021 seasons. As a Head Coach at WMU, Alyssa led the program to several National, Midwest, and Regional titles. Alyssa also created the Western Michigan Synchronized Skating Camp which just hit its 10th year of success! Outside of Synchronized Skating, Alyssa also took the role as a Power Skating Instructor for the NCAA Division 1 Western Michigan University Hockey Team (2014-2019). Today, Alyssa continues to be a Synchronized Skating Consultant, Choreographer, Skills Coach, and Power skating Instructor (Dutton Powerskating) in the Greater Kalamazoo Area.
Assistant Coach
Alyssa Dutton (Sutter), originally from Hartland, MI, is a 9 year member of Team USA. She has earned 9 National medals at the Junior and Senior Synchronized Skating level (2 of which included Gold finishes for both Junior and Senior divisions). Alyssa has made 3 World Championship appearances which all included top 10 finishes (2003, 2009, 2011). Alyssa was a 4 year member of Miami Univeristy Senior Synchronized Skating Team and previously skated for prestigious organizations including Team Elan and Crystallettes. Throughout her 4 years at Miami University, Alyssa was awarded Rookie of the Year in 2009 as well as the Outstanding Senior award and the Thomas J. Fisher Most Outstanding Skater award following her 2011-2012 season as the Senior Varsity Captain.
Alyssa continued her passion for skating and became the Head Coach at Western Michigan University for the 2012-2021 seasons. As a Head Coach at WMU, Alyssa led the program to several National, Midwest, and Regional titles. Alyssa also created the Western Michigan Synchronized Skating Camp which just hit its 10th year of success! Outside of Synchronized Skating, Alyssa also took the role as a Power Skating Instructor for the NCAA Division 1 Western Michigan University Hockey Team (2014-2019). Today, Alyssa continues to be a Synchronized Skating Consultant, Choreographer, Skills Coach, and Power skating Instructor (Dutton Powerskating) in the Greater Kalamazoo Area.
Lisa Zamarippa
Off Ice Instructor
Lisa has been an Off-Ice Specialist for 13 years and a Sports Specific Training for 20 years. She has Certification from ACE and NSCA, and Pilates training through the Physical Mind Institute. She has BA in dance from Texas Christian University, and dance as a Soloist with the Fort Worth Ballet Company and Musical Theatre Productions. She was also a World finalist for ballroom dance. Lisa trains our skaters in ballet, pilates and strength and conditioning to help them be the best they can be on the ice!
Off Ice Instructor
Lisa has been an Off-Ice Specialist for 13 years and a Sports Specific Training for 20 years. She has Certification from ACE and NSCA, and Pilates training through the Physical Mind Institute. She has BA in dance from Texas Christian University, and dance as a Soloist with the Fort Worth Ballet Company and Musical Theatre Productions. She was also a World finalist for ballroom dance. Lisa trains our skaters in ballet, pilates and strength and conditioning to help them be the best they can be on the ice!
Sam Kaplun
On Ice Ice Dance + Skating Skills Coach
Sam started skating in at the age of 7 in Odessa, Ukraine. When he finished high school, he moved back to Kharkov to study at Kharkov’s State Academy of Physical Culture and Sports. Sam graduated in 2012 with a bachelor’s degree in physical education and continued hie skating career in Kharkov with his ice dance partner Anastasia Galyeta and the head ice dance coach in Ukraine, Galina Churilova. In 2007, he received the title of “Master of Sports” by Ukrainian Olympic Committee based on high placement in participating at national and international competitions. From 2002 and until 2008, Sam represented Ukraine on an international level. In 2007-08 and 2008-09, Sam and his partner were a part of the Ukrainian National Team. In 2009, he moved to Oberstdorf, Germany to train with Rostislav Sinicyn and stayed there for 5 months. In November 2009, Sam moved to Ann Arbor, MI to work with Yasa Nechaeva and Yuri Chesnichenko. and in 2012, he joined Igor Shpilband’s team at their training facility in Novi, MI. He spent a part of 2013 at DSC (Detroit skating club) under coaches Angelika Krylova and Pasquale Camerlengo, and participated in the summer camp off season training in Latvia and trained with Russian national team ice dancers under the direction of Irina Zhuk and Aleksandr Svinin. Sam has a lot of experience working with the leading coaches and top class choreographers. He has been a coach in the US since 2010 and uses this knowledge and vast experience in his own coaching.
On Ice Ice Dance + Skating Skills Coach
Sam started skating in at the age of 7 in Odessa, Ukraine. When he finished high school, he moved back to Kharkov to study at Kharkov’s State Academy of Physical Culture and Sports. Sam graduated in 2012 with a bachelor’s degree in physical education and continued hie skating career in Kharkov with his ice dance partner Anastasia Galyeta and the head ice dance coach in Ukraine, Galina Churilova. In 2007, he received the title of “Master of Sports” by Ukrainian Olympic Committee based on high placement in participating at national and international competitions. From 2002 and until 2008, Sam represented Ukraine on an international level. In 2007-08 and 2008-09, Sam and his partner were a part of the Ukrainian National Team. In 2009, he moved to Oberstdorf, Germany to train with Rostislav Sinicyn and stayed there for 5 months. In November 2009, Sam moved to Ann Arbor, MI to work with Yasa Nechaeva and Yuri Chesnichenko. and in 2012, he joined Igor Shpilband’s team at their training facility in Novi, MI. He spent a part of 2013 at DSC (Detroit skating club) under coaches Angelika Krylova and Pasquale Camerlengo, and participated in the summer camp off season training in Latvia and trained with Russian national team ice dancers under the direction of Irina Zhuk and Aleksandr Svinin. Sam has a lot of experience working with the leading coaches and top class choreographers. He has been a coach in the US since 2010 and uses this knowledge and vast experience in his own coaching.
