List of pickleball instructors in Albany, Saratoga Springs and Greater Capital Region
If you are looking for pickleball coaches in the Greater Capital Region, here is a list to get you started. You can find instructors in Albany, Schenectady, Colonie, Clifton Park, Saratoga Springs, Queensbury, Lake George, Latham, Rensselaer and Amsterdam.
This list does not capture the dedicated pickleball ambassadors, official and nonofficial, that welcome newcomers to the court and teach them the game. They are our first coaches and the best.
If you are an instructor and would like to be on the list, email me at cathleen@pickleball518.com.
Updated May 2025
Independent instructors
Kayla Benner
Kaylabenner17@yahoo.com
518-630-7613
With over seven years of coaching experience in pickleball, Kayla began her journey at Gavin Park Recreation. Since then, she has competed in numerous tournaments, earning gold in several of them. Kayla has coached at the Saratoga Regional YMCA and is currently an instructor at SUNY Adirondack Community College. Her coaching experience extends beyond pickleball to a variety of youth sports. Passionate about helping players of all skill levels improve their game, build confidence, and have fun on the court, Kayla focuses on creating a positive and engaging environment for athletes. She teaches in the Saratoga County area.
Peter Bojarczuk
Peter became a Certified Level 2 IPTPA pickleball instructor in 2021 and is Associate Director of “Traveling Pickleball Pros,” instructing large group clinics throughout New York, the tri-state area and Florida. Whether he is teaching adults or hosting junior pickleball camps, Peter has an insatiable passion for nurturing the best players. He has over 15 years of playing experience and has won numerous medals in regional and local tournaments. Peter teaches lessons with the Saratoga Spring Recreation Department. When he’s not teaching, Peter spends his time playing in local leagues and drop-in open play.
Susan Comito
Susan is a former NYS physical education teacher and coach. She became a Pickleball Coaching International Level 2 certified instructor in 2022. Her coaching philosophy centers around tailoring her instruction to each player’s unique abilities and goals. She believes in building a strong foundation by focusing on fundamental techniques while also introducing advanced strategies to enhance players’ performance. Susan teaches in Southern Saratoga County and at the Southern Saratoga YMCA in Clifton Park.
Gina Family
GinaFamily303@gmail.com
518-330-9204
Gina has been playing and studying the game of pickleball for several years. She became an IPTPA Level 1 certified instructor in 2019. Gina enjoys assisting and motivating individuals to learn and improve their skills, discover new techniques and strategies, and achieve their goals in pickleball. She has also been a certified personal trainer and fitness instructor for over 30 years. Gina teaches in Queensbury, Lake George, Clifton Park and all around the Capital Region.
Ray Fox
Ray started playing pickleball with neighbors and friends weekends in 2018. To learn more about the game, he took lessons from Gina Family. In 2021, he became a Level 1 certified teacher from Pickleball Coaching International. Ray teaches at Saratoga Regional YMCAs: Saratoga branch Oct – April indoors and the Malta branch May – Sept outdoors. Ray believes a good understanding of the basics of pickleball will help you enjoy the game as well as improve your skills. As you play this game you have to continue to learn more as you play.
Michelle (Sinon) Jones
jonesie207@gmail.com
Facebook: @Michelle Sinon Jones
919-339-9142
Michelle, whose background is in leadership and teaching coaching, became Level 1 certified through Pickleball Coaching International in 2024. Pickleball coaching brings together everything Michelle is passionate about: connection, thriving, play, and inclusion. Lessons and events focus on both the mental and physical game, since they’re interconnected. Michelle’s indoor lessons home base is the Rensselaer Boys & Girls Club, and she travels to clients all over the Capital Region and Upstate/Western NY.
Mary Pat Knepper
marypat.knepper@verizon.net
413-822-3719
Mary Pat found her passion for pickleball in 2019. She started teaching in 2020 and became Level 1 IPTPA certified in 2022. Mary Pat’s enthusiastic coaching emphasizes the importance of strong fundamental skills. She is committed to helping players reach their goals and become the best player they can be. Mary Pat teaches independently in Averill Park, NY, and surrounding areas and is on the pickleball teaching staff at the Malta Community Center.
Ed Koivula
coachkoivula@gmail.com
518-243-9316
Ed is a former collegiate tennis player that converted to pickleball 13 years ago. He started teaching pickleball in 2017 and became a PCI certified instructor in 2020. He is a 4.5 level player and he works with players new to the game and intermediate players looking to get to the advanced level. He is currently the pickleball instructor at the Lake George Club and teaches classes at the Malta Community Center.
Diego Lebron
diego.lebron.pb@gmail.com
https://www.instagram.com/diego_lebron/
Diego, who is originally from Puerto Rico, came to the Capital Region almost 10 years ago to play Division 1 tennis at Siena College. He is a senior business analyst for a local bank and is pursuing a pro pickleball career. Diego became Level 2 IPTPA certified in 2023. With a passion to help and teach others, Diego has been teaching pickleball and helping players from the beginner level who are looking to learn the game all the way to advanced players who want to improve and play tournaments. Diego will be conducting clinics, Learn 2 Plays, privates and semi-privates at Xtreme Pickleball and around the Capital Region.
Lauren LiGreci
laurenligreci@gmail.com
347-322-9659
Lauren is a former collegiate racquetball player and current youth softball coach. She started teaching pickleball in 2023 and became a Level I Certified Pickleball Instructor through the IPTPA. Lauren’s wheelhouse is teaching folks the game of pickleball no matter their level of play or physical abilities. Lauren has sustained numerous injuries throughout her sporting career and has found pickleball to be a phenomenal way to get moving no matter the obstacles you may face. Lauren has the ability to tailor a class to the level of the students, starting with fundamental techniques and moving towards advanced strategies through a series of fun drills and observed game play. Lauren lives in Niskayuna and teaches throughout the Capital Region.
Brian Santacruz
Santacruz.Spark.PB@gmail.com
203-252-4229
https://cal.com/santacruz.spark.pb
https://www.facebook.com/SantacruzSparkPickleball
Brian Santacruz, a certified PPR Pro and 5.0+ level player, was introduced to the game of pickleball in 2019. Brian quickly ascended as one of the top players in the Northeast achieving a singles gold medal at the USAPA Atlantic Regionals in Massachusetts, men’s doubles gold at the Great Plains Regionals in Colorado, mixed doubles silver with his wife at Nationals in California, and a mixed doubles silver medal at the US Open in Florida. Brian loves to not only compete, but also share his profound understanding and love of the game with the pickleball community. Whether you are just starting to learn the game or are a tournament player looking to move up to the next level Brian is
excited to work with you on your pickleball journey.
Jackie Stimmel Santacruz
Email: Santacruz.Spark.PB@gmail.com
Phone: 518-466-7875
Website: https://cal.com/santacruz.spark.pb
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/SantacruzSparkPickleball
Jackie won multiple Section Titles with the Saratoga Springs High School tennis team and played division 1 tennis at Colgate University. After college, she met her husband Brian on the tennis court where they continued to play tennis until they learned about pickleball in 2019. Jackie and Brian are 5.0+ level pickleball players who enjoy traveling around the USA to play pickleball tournaments. Together they have won silver at Nationals in California, silver at Regionals in Colorado, and silver at US Open in Florida.
Jackie became a certified PPR Pickleball Pro in 2021.
Club lessons
Contact local pickleball clubs and community fitness centers for group lessons and private lessons with staff instructors: List of indoor pickleball in the New York Capital Region