Skating Coaching Staff

The Igloo at Mt. Laurel is extremely fortunate to have such a large and skilled staff to teach and provide their expertise to our customers.  They are available through both group lessons and private instruction.

All our skating coaches are members of the United States Figure Skating Association and the Professional Skaters Association along with other skating organizations.

David Malpass

Skating Instructor

David’s National and International Show experience, and years of dance training has made him a prominent coach in Southern New Jersey and Philadelphia area skating clubs.  He is a knowledgeable technician and is uniquely creative.  David teaches all levels, beginner through competitive, classes and private students in Freestyle, Moves in the Field, and Choreography.

As an amateur, David completed the fifth Figure test, Junior Freestyle and Pre-Silver Dance.  He competed in various singles events, winning numerous medals in compulsory figures and freestyle.  Since becoming a coach David achieved the status of a PSA Registered rating and has attended many training seminars and conferences. He is currently the Director of the Skating Club of Southern New Jersey, the skating club that calls the Igloo home.

Larry Marval

Skating Instructor

Larry brings to the Igloo teaching staff a plethora of experience.  He currently is busy training skaters of all levels, beginners through competitors, in Basic Skills and Figure Skating.  He also has his hand in the training of our youngest future hockey players as well as Power Skating for current players.

Larry’s background includes competing in many regional competitions as well as those in Toronto, Canada, and Lake Placid, New York.  He has passed the Intermediate Level in US Figure Skating School for Figures and Freestyle.  Larry is knowledgeable in the choice of better skating equipment as in Harlick, SP Teri, Riedell, and Jackson boots and all blades.  An appointment with Larry can be made for expert fitting by calling The Pro Shop.

Tara O’Brien

Skating Instructor

Tara is currently attending the University of Delaware but still finds the time to teach Igloo classes as well as maintain the head coach title to a number of skaters ranging in age from four to thirteen.  Her students compete in local competitions and test in the US Figure Skating Program. 

Tara skated competitively fro 1993 to 2000. She has passed US Figure Skating tests through Novice Moves in the Field, Intermediate Free Style and Bronze Dance.  Tara has trained under many notable coaches and uses that knowledge to advance the skills of her own students.  She has attended numerous training camps and seminars and similarly uses those to advance her students.

John Thomas

Skating Instructor

John's diverse experiences have made him a capable coach for all levels.

His accomplishments include: 

John instructs basic ‘learn to skate’ skaters and National and Olympic Competitors in Dance, Freestyle, and Pairs, with emphasis on Choreography, all with the same endless energy.  John also has a decade of experience with Ice Synchro teams and is currently the head coach for an Adult Team whose home rink is in Ardmore PA..

Julie Cardinale

Skating Instructor

Julie has been teaching competitive and recreational figure skating and power skating for 15 years in the Philadelphia region.  She has toured with the companies such as the Ice Capades, Disney on Ice, Busch Gardens, Minnie Madden Productions, and Richard Porter Productions. While on tour Julie performed standout roles such as Inspector Clusseau, Michael Darling, Dale of Chip n Dale, and Daisy Duck, as well as holding the 2nd pair team spot for Disney and in Busch Gardens.

Julie trained and competed near Chicago, Illinois as a youth, where she completed up to her Pre-Gold dance test, before moving to the Philadelphia region to complete her BFA in Fine Arts at Moore College of Art and Design.
Julie has enjoyed all aspects of the ice from performance, skate sharpening and ice hockey, to the management and direction of local skating programs at University of Pennsylvania and the Blue Cross River Rink.

Julie’s fields of instruction include Freestyle, Moves in the Field, Power Skating, Choreography and Group Lessons. She is a member of the Professional Skaters Association, The United States Figure Skating Association, and the Ice Skating Institute.