More than an hour before they were slated to perform, champion figure skaters Jessica Huot, Christian Erwin and skaters from Ice Theater of New York took to the ice, weaving around public skaters with amazing ease.
While this served as a warm up for their scheduled demonstration at the Newport Skates rink in Jersey City on Jan. 19, their movement on ice occupied by skaters from the general public made it clear just why they were considered champions.
Huot is a six-time Finnish national ice dance champion, and Erwin was three-time USA national competitor.
Huot started skating like many of those on the ice around him in the warm up, as a part of a group class. Later when she realized she had talent, she took private lessons.
Her performances closely resemble dance for a good reason. She also loved ballet when she was younger. She realized that she could combine the two, and went to Lake Placid at 14 years old to train, and then elsewhere, working with coaches to perfect her craft. But she also continued her studies and eventually attended MIT.
Not yet wearing their performance costumes, these skaters and those who were to perform before them moved with the grace of dancers, showing their talents as they spun and jumped, performing remarkable feats on the ice, often as other skaters moved around them. They drew cheers even during warm ups from the scores of adults and kids along the sidelines. Even commuters paused to watch.
Skating under the skies
Newport Skates is the only outdoor, uncovered ice skating rink in Jersey City, located at 95 River Drive in Jersey City
Other performers included Aiden Lee, Emily Zhang, Laura Jacobson, Valerie Levine, Matthew Thomas, Iland Sherma, Salley Jeanne Watkins, and Wesley Campbell.
Huot and Erwin concluded the show with a specially choreographed duet to “Feeling Good” by Michael Bublé.
Ice Theatre of New York is an organization that focuses on pieces that combine dance with skating. It was founded in 1984 and features a professionally-trained ensemble. Their skaters have performed national and internationally, and have been funded through grants by the National Endowment for the Arts, the New York State Council on the Arts and the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs.
Al Sullivan may be reached at asullivan@hudsonreporter.com.