Show skating hopefuls leapt, spun, and skated alongside some of Disney’s most lovable characters Friday, embarking on a magical journey at the MassMutual Center.
Nearly two dozen young area skaters from the Little Sun Valley Figure Skating club participated in a figure skating clinic with professional Disney on Ice actors/skaters at the MassMutual Center yesterday, just a few short hours prior to a performance of Mickey & Minnie’s Magical Journey.
The guest teachers showed off some of their skills, and gave instruction before Mickey and Minnie briefly busted a move.
“It’s exciting because I like Disney and I like to skate,” said 10-year-old Janet Asselin, of Springfield, who along with fellow skaters from the Little Sun Valley Figure Skating club, participated in the morning event.
Janet’s mother, Merylina, is a guidance counselor at Westfield High School.
“It’s great that these skaters have the opportunity to go on the ice with the actors and professional skaters,” said Merylina.
One pro skater, Alex Demetriou, who grew up in Wales and attended The Blackpool Sixth Form in the United Kingdom, is in his fourth year with Disney on Ice. Skating since age 7, Demetriou became interested in the touring ice show when his best friend joined the Finding Nemo figure skating production. Now he is trying to gain the attention of potential future cast characters. He emceed the clinic yesterday morning.
“You don’t really realize what we are doing as Disney on Ice skaters until you do something like this (clinic),” said Demetriou, who is currently cast as surfer David Kawena from Lilo and Stitch, and Peter Pan’s Captain Hook. “It opens your eyes a bit.”
Demetriou has also played the role of Prince Eric from the Little Mermaid and Peter Pan himself. While previous stops have included South America, the Dominican Republic, Columbia, Venezuela, and Puerto Rico, Demetriou and the entire cast of All-Stars will travel to Western Europe this fall.
“It’s a great opportunity for these kids,” said 27-year-old Karla Schallehn, a Little Sun Valley Figure Skating instructor who lives in Westfield. “For many of these kids, they can only go so far in competing. Show skating opens another door.”
Schallehn’s turn in show skating lasted from 2001-05 when she worked for Spotlight Productions, of Frankfurt, Germany, and Rosstyn Ice Shows in Palm Beach, Florida. Her repertoire included showgirl-themed programs, and a part as the front end of a dog. Her sister, Nikki, now 32, was on the back end.
Schallehn coaches the Little Sun Valley figure skaters two nights a week, instructing the skaters, primarily between the ages of 6 to 17, on basic skills, freestyle, and Olympic-style moves. You can find her every Thursday and Sunday night at Amelia Park Ice Arena in Westfield at the Learn to Skate program.
Schallehn and the Saratoga Stars, a synchronized skate team from New York, are currently practicing a routine set to the tune of Sarah McLachlin’s “I Will Remember You,” for a May 6 dedication to the late philanthropist Albert Ferst.
According to Disney on Ice promoters, tickets are still available for many of this weekend’s showings at the Mass Mutual Center. To learn more about Disney on Ice, visit www.disneyonice.com.
