Pioneer Valley Fencing Academy
  • Home
  • Info for Beginners
    • Start Fencing!
    • Free Introductory Month for Local Honor Students
  • Schedule and Fees
    • Open Hours and Schedule
    • Fees and Policies
  • What is fencing?
    • What is Fencing?
    • FAQ
  • Online Store
    • Purchase Classes/Lessons/Membership
    • Fencing Equipment and Textbook
  • Coaching Education
    • Coaching Clinics and Certification >
      • Coaching Clinic Testimonials
    • Articles and Books by Paul Sise
  • About Us
    • Coaches
    • Supporting our Community
    • Contact Info
    • Our History
  • Competition Info
    • Competitions
    • Coaching at Competitions
    • Western Mass High School Fencing League
  • Summer Camps/Clinics
    • Summer and Winter Fencing Clinics
Coaches

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.
Picture
Fencing Master Paul Sise

Certifications:

Maitre d'Armes (Master in Foil, Epee, and Saber) - United States Fencing Coaches Association and the International Academy of Arms
Senior Coach Developer - United States Fencing Coaches Association
Examiner Trainer - United States Fencing Coaches Association
Level 3 - United States Fencing Association Coaches College in foil, epee, and saber
Level 3- USFA Armorers College
Leader Level-American Sport Education Program
USA Fencing Professional Member and SafeSport Certified
Foil, Epee, and Saber Referee 
Life Member of USA Fencing, USFCA, and WFencing

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  A-Rated fencers, college fencing scholarship recipients, and national and international medalists. 
Several of his students have also earned coaching and refereeing certifications; most notably Zeno Doeleman who is now a full time elite coach.  Paul is the author  A Basic Fencing Companion, 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 is also the head coach of the Amherst College Fencing Club.

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.




Picture
RJ Ferullo
Certifications:

Moniteur d' Armes - Foil, Epee, 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. 

Picture
Kelly Fitzroy

Certifications:

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

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


Picture
  
   

Camilla R. Sise

Certifications:

Prevot d'Epee, Prevot de Fleuret - USFCA, AAI
Moniteur de Saber- USFCA
Referee in Foil, Epee, and Saber

Camilla is the head coach of the Northampton High School's fencing team. She also helps with coaching duties at PVFA. Camilla has earned national medals in every weapon. 


Picture
Nicole Mann - Currently away but will return in 2026!

Certifications:

Moniteur de Saber
USA Fencing Coach Member and
SafeSport Certified

ISSA-Certified Fitness Professional

Nicole helps coach the Tuesday saber class and the Northampton High School fencing team.  Nicole is an author, certified Personal Trainer, and a proud member of the U.S. National Guard's J.A.G. You can buy her epic fantasy novel
Envoy to Lan’lieana--Book One: No Honor In Glory on Amazon.



Picture
Walker Sorensen

Certifications:

Moniteur de Saber - USFCA
Assistant Moniteur de Fleuret - USFCA
Safesport



Walker is a graduate of UMass, Amherst, where he was saber squad captain for their fencing team under Coach Ferullo. He is now the head coach for the Mt. Holyoke College fencing team. Walker attended the USFCA's level 3B NCDP coaching clinic and the spring and fall 2024 NCDP Core Clinics. He will be available for saber lessons Saturday afternoons unless away with his college team.

Picture

Luka Milekic

Safesport Certified

Luka is a long-time member of PVFA and assists Coach Ferullo in the saber class on Tuesdays. He attended the USFCA's fall 2024 NCDP Core Clinic.

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:

Picture


 Willa Barman

Certified Assistant Moniteur d' Epee, USFCA
Certified referee in foil, epee, and saber.
Captain of the Northampton High School Fencing Team


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. Willa attended the USFCA's National Coaching Development Program levels 3A and 3B clinics, the spring and fall 2024 NCDP Core Clinics,  and a clinic with Olympian David Micahnik.


Picture

Elliot Dinsmore
Certified referee in foil, epee, and saber.

Elliot a three weapon fencer and is the men's foil captain and armorer for the Northampton High School fencing team.  He assists Coach Fitzroy during the Youth class. Elliot attended the USFCA NCDP Core clinic in the fall of 2024.


Picture

Madelyn Wilson

Maddy is an epee fencer and an avid member of Scouting America. Her leadership skills and enthusiasm for helping others help make her a great member of our coaching team.  She assists coach Fitzroy with the youth class when she is not away camping.

Maddy attended the USFCA's spring 2025 NCDP Moniteur clinic in Orland Maine.


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