Why You Should Arrive Early for Skating Performances

Christina (8) (on right) and other skaters ready for their Pops on Ice performance, 1998.

Christina (8) (on right) and other skaters ready for their Pops on Ice performance, 1998.

Competitions, test sessions, and exhibitions can be stressful at times, especially if you’re running late. Here are some tips for less stress before performance and reasons why it’s important to arrive early for skating performances.

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June 3, 2011

Ballet on Ice

Christina and Mark (Photo by David Paterson)

Christina and Mark (Photo by David Paterson)

Do you love ice skating? Do you love ballet? Do you love dance? If you answered yes to one or more of those three questions, Ballet On Ice is the class for you! Ballet is required for most of the top skaters in the world. Russian skaters take ballet lessons from an extremely young age. Male and female skaters of all ages train in ballet to improve their skating.

If you are not training in ballet and different styles of dance for your skating, you may want to seriously consider it. I believe ballet is the basis for all dance. In a way, you could almost say it is the basis for all movement. Ice skaters require grace, fluidity, artistry, passion, and originality. The class Ballet On Ice will develop those aspects of your skating!

Ballet On Ice is: 

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March 4, 2011

Inspiration from the 2011 U.S. Ladies Champion, Alissa Czisny

The 2011 U.S. Figure Skating Championships were all about inspiring performances. As much as I love to see Rachael Flatt and Mirai Nagasu do well, it was wonderful to see the beautiful Alissa Czisny make her comeback to win the gold medal in the senior ladies event.

After her heartbreaking 10th place finish last year (after winning in 2009), Alissa recreated her skating with coaches Yuka Sato and Jason Dungjen. It’s lovely to hear that Alissa’s coaches really believe in her and helped her find confidence in her skating.

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Photo Credit: Alissa Czisny at the 2009 Fiesta on Ice. Photo by Queen Yuna at Flickr Creative Commons.

February 24, 2011

Top 7 Show Essentials

Christina and Mark Performing a Daft Punk Number. (Photo by Jane Vernon)

Christina and Mark Performing a Daft Punk Number. (Photo by Jane Vernon)

What are the most important things you need to perform? You may be skating in an ice show, acting in a play, performing in a concert, or modeling at a photo shoot. Whatever your performance or show, here are my top 7 show essentials.

1. Skates/shoes/equipment  

If you are an ice skater, it is going to be very difficult to skate without skates! If you are a ballerina to be performing on pointe, it will be tricky to perform without pointe shoes. Towels, guards, pads for feet, etc., are also important in helping you perform in your equipment. Remember your equipment! 

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January 28, 2011

Top Tip for Skating Performances and Competitions

Christina Chitwood and Mark Hanretty having fun performing to “Bei Mir Bist Du Schön” from The Swing Kids at the 2009 European Championships. (Photo by Liz Chastney)

Christina Chitwood and Mark Hanretty having fun performing to “Bei Mir Bist Du Schön” from The Swing Kids at the 2009 European Championships. (Photo by Liz Chastney)

Competing and performing can be a nerve-racking experience. It can also be a wonderful and enjoyable experience. How you approach the competition can make all the difference in the world.

From my experiences at many different kinds of ice skating competitions from national championships to international senior B competitions to the European and World Championships, there is one thing I always used to perform my best.

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January 20, 2011