Anyone who has spent any time in the Midwest during winter has likely tried his or her hand at skating. Whether figure skating, playing hockey, or just having some seasonal fun, skating is a popular hobby all over the region. For some, however, donning a pair of ice skates means much more than just entertainment. For people like Emma Astrup, skating is a way of life, a passion. When these types of athletes lace up those blades, they are transported to a new world. This weekend, participants of the 2015 Moorhead Ice Show would like to share that world with you.
Fifteen-year-old Emma Astrup has been skating since she was two years old. From the moment her mother laced on that first skate, Astrup has been hooked. “I love how skating is such a different sport than most,” she explained. “Because of the musicality mixed with technique that takes part in each individual program, it’s really so many sports in one.” Astrup dreams of touring with Disney on Ice after graduation, something that has been a goal of hers for many years. “What catches my eye about Disney on Ice is that it’s everything I love: Disney, skating, performing, and traveling,” she said. Ultimately, however, Emma has goals that will take her places off the ice as well. “My dad always says, ‘school comes before skating,’ so I would like to go to medical school for my future education.”
Astrup will be performing a solo as Taylor Swift during the upcoming show, attractively titled
“Ready to Rock.” According to Moorhead Figure Skating Coordinator Dawn Franklin, the show is a journey through the history of rock, including appearances by Elvis, The Beatles, The Supremes, Michael Jackson, Madonna, Big Hair Bands, and much more. “All decades of music will be represented,” Franklin promised. “It will be a great show for all ages since it appeals to everyone.”
The show will include more than 175 skaters ranging in age from 3-20, each at varying experience levels. “There are soloist doing difficult jumps and spins as well as groups of three-year-old girls just learning to skate,” Franklin explained. “We will even have the U.S. Bronze Medalists (1st alternates to Worlds) in pair skating this year.” It is quite a transition from the shows Franklin participated in as a beginning skater. Like Astrup, Franklin has been skating since she was very young. “The rink manager, Archie Vraa, had a skating class,” she explained. “We decided to have our first ice show in the late 70s. It was very basic, no spotlights, a black garbage bag curtain, no actual costumes, and only a handful of skaters.”
Skating has always been a way of life for Franklin. “My sister, Shelly, and I skated all through our school years and we both tested in five different disciplines with U.S. Figure Skating, passing five gold medal tests each: Gold Figures, Gold Freeskate, Gold Freedance, Gold Ice Dance, and International Ice Dance,” she explained. “Combined that is approximately 88 or more tests over the years.” For the past twenty-five years, Franklin has shared her experience and knowledge as a coach. “I’ve had students compete at National competitions, skate with Disney on Ice, and my favorite fun fact is one of my long-time students, Mark Ladwig, placed in the top 10 at the 2010 Winter Olympics in Pair Skating,” she explained with pride.
These days, Franklin still skates to choreograph routines, teach new skills, and exercise. Her biggest passion, however, is helping young skaters like Astrup reach their own dreams. Astrup will be competing in national competitions this year for the first time. “I’m very excited,” she said. “It’s going to be a great experience and a great opportunity for exposure to other competitors, coaches, and judges outside the Midwestern region.” In the future, Astrup would like to find a dance partner to train for bigger national competitions. For now, she is excited to be highlighting her skills for the people of the Red River Valley.
The modern ice show has come a long way since Franklin took over directing duties during the 1988/89 season. “There were about ten skaters taking private lessons and competing here in Moorhead, and I was the only private lesson coach in the city,” she explained. “Over the years we have grown to around 60-65 private lesson, competitive skaters.” Working with the wide range of ages and skill levels is something that appeals to Franklin. “I love the variety of teaching: boys and girls, young and old, from figure skating and power skating to hockey players of various levels,” she said.
Franklin would like to encourage everyone to check out one of the three scheduled shows this weekend. It promises to contain something for sport and music enthusiasts alike. “Basically it is a fun, entertaining show at a great price – including cute costumes, fun music, cool lighting,” she said. “We even turn the heat on.”
The “Ready to Rock” 2015 Moorhead Ice Show will take place at Moorhead Sports Center March 20-22. Show times are 7:00pm on Friday and Saturday and 1:00pm on Sunday. Tickets are available at the door for a price of $7 for ages 13 and older, $5 for ages 4-12, and free for children age 3 and younger.