Pioneer Valley Fencing Academy
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Coaches

All PVFA coaches are fully vaccinated against Covid-19.

PVFA coaches are trained, certified, are bound by the USFCA Code of Ethics and Safesport rules, and do not tolerate abuse or mistreatment of our students.  We believe that we offer a safe environment for our students that is free from all forms of harassment and discrimination, and the trust we have gained from them and their parents reinforces that belief.
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Fencing Master Paul Sise

Certifications:

Maitre d'Epee, Fleuret - United States Fencing Coaches Association (USFCA) and the International Academy of Arms(AAI)
Prevot de Sabre- United States Fencing Coaches Association (USFCA) and the International Academy of Arms(AAI)
Examiner Trainer - United States Fencing Coaches Association (USFCA)
Level 3 - United States Fencing Association (USFA) Coaches College in foil, epee, and saber
Level 3- USFA Armorers College
Leader Level-American Sport Education Program (ASEP)
USA Fencing Professional Member and SafeSport Certified
Epee Referee 
Life/Coach Member of USA Fencing

One of only four certified Fencing Masters* in all of New England, Coach Sise trains both fencers and coaches. Paul teaches beginner through advanced classes and individual lessons in foil, epee, and saber. His students range from recreational fencers to many A-Rated fencers, college fencing scholarship recipients, and national and international medalists. 
Several of his students have also earned coaching and refereeing certifications.  He is the author of A Basic Foil Companion and A Basic Fencing Companion which were published by SKA Swordplay Press (temporarily unavailable due to the closure of the publishing company) , and "Height Differences in Epee Fencing and Strategies for the Shorter Fencer"  which was his thesis for Fencing Master certification.  He is the author of several articles that have been published in  "The Swordmaster" magazine. From 2011 to 2020 he was a member of the Certification and Accreditation Board (CAB) of the United States Fencing Coaches Association and served as the board's Chairman for two years.  Paul was also a member of the USFCA's 2017 and 2019 Coaches Academy staff.  Sise's course, "Coaching Fencing Students with Special Needs" was added to Fencing Metric's course catalogue in 2021.

For those interested in becoming fencing coaches, or improving their current skills,  Paul offers coaching clinics in the New England area along with John Krauss of the Down East School of Fencing. Masters Sise and Krauss are two of only a handful of coaches that have been selected to teach the USFCA's official NCDP clinics.

*The others being John Krauss, Bill Shipman, and Michael Marx.


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RJ Ferullo

Certifications:
Moniteur d' Escrime - Foil and Saber USFCA
Level 1 Foil, Level 2 Epee and Saber - USFA Coaches College.

Leader Level-American Sport Education Program (ASEP)

Robert "RJ" Ferullo teaches the saber class and is available for saber lessons on Tuesday nights. He is the Head Coach of UMass Fencing  and was the head coach for the Northampton High Fencing Team for over a dozen years.  He co-authored the essay "Coaching Fencers with Learning Disabilities " which was published in the Winter 2006 edition of "The Swordmaster" magazine. Coach Ferullo also contributed to the Fencing Metrics course "Coaching Fencing Students with Special Needs."

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Ken Mondschein

Certifications:

Maitre d' Armes Historique USFCA
Prevot d' Fleuret, Epee USFCA
Moniteur d' Escrime Sabre- USFCA.

Ken has a Ph.D in medieval history and he teaches the Historical Fencing classes at PVFA. He has over twenty years of experience in fencing and other Western martial arts and has studied both in the US and in Europe. He also holds a second-degree black belt in karate, is an accomplished equestrian, and enjoys jousting. Buy his books The Art of the Rapier and The Art of the Two Handed Sword.


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Kelly Fitzroy

Certifications:
Moniteur d' Armes - Foil, Epee, and Saber- USFCA

Kelly teaches the Saturday Youth Class as well as individual foil and epee lessons. She is also associated with Rainbow Rescues Inc, a volunteer run animal foster care and placement program.


Assistant Coaches
We have many Assistant Coaches to help keep the club running efficiently and to help keep everyone safe and having fun while they learn.  


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Camilla R.  Sise

Certifications:

Moniteur d' Armes - Foil, Epee, and Saber- USFCA
USFCA Prevot written exam - Passed
Referee in Foil, Epee, and Saber

Camilla is the head coach the Amherst College Fencing Club  as well as a coach of Northampton High School's fencing team. She also helps with coaching duties at PVFA. 


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Nicole Mann

Certifications:

Moniteur de Saber
USA Fencing Coach Member and
SafeSport Certified

ISSA-Certified Fitness Professional

Nicole helps coach the Tuesday saber class and is the head coach for the Northampton High School fencing team.  Nicole is a certified Personal Trainer and is also a proud member of the U.S. National Guard. 

Youth Class Assistants Our teenage fencers have the option to earn USFCA coaching certification through our Assistant Moniteur program by helping to teach our Youth fencing class. 

Our current youth assistants are:
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Sean Quinlan

Certified Assistant Moniteur d' Epee, USFCA

Sean is a competitive epee fencer and is working to earn an Eagle Scout certification.



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Quinlan (left) scores the gold medal winning counter-attack against an A rated fencer in Boston.

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  Fitz Campbell

  Certified Assistant Moniteur d' Epee, USFCA
   Fitz is a competitive epee fencer, pianist, and tennis player. Fitz has earned a reputation for being patient and supportive when working with young children.

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  Kerem Erden

  Kerem fences saber at PVFA. Because our youth class students learn foil and saber,   his saber skills are very welcome.


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 Willa Barman

Willa is a competitive epee fencer, musician, and gymnast. She is the only    PVFA fencer who can walk the length of the fencing strip without her feet  touching the floor.

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Sam Barr

Sam is a competitive epee fencer, musician, and goal keeper for his high school's soccer team.




New Students Wanted!  Fencing is fun, great exercise, and we provide equipment!
Make Friends and Stab Them!