For Immediate Release: 10/31/2012 8:41 am
Worcester, MA (October 31, 2012) - As part of the inaugural season, Colonial Figure Skating Club Inc. Professionals have partnered with the City to offer programs and services to the Worcester community. This collaboration will include skate clinics, mini-exhibitions and performances. Lessons will be taught by instructors from Colonial Figure Skating Club, which is comprised of more than 40 top professionals, all of whom belong to the Professional Skaters Association (PSA), and many of whom have coached regional, national and international medalists, and hold United States Figure Skating (USFS) gold medals in figures, freestyle and dance.
"We are looking forward to our new partnership with Colonial Figure Skating Club," said City Manager Michael V. O'Brien. "This is the type of activity and energy we want to create in our downtown. It adds a whole new dimension to be able to partner with a professional skating club that can offer such unique programming for all ages."
Beginning on December 1, Colonial will offer a Teen Introductory Class and Adult Figure Skating Class on Saturdays at 3:00 PM for a five-week period. This instructional program will give skaters a perfect starting point to learn beginner elements such as gliding, stopping, introduction to edges, turns, basic spins, jumps, and will prepare skaters to move on to advanced classes. This class consists of 30 minutes of instruction and 30 minutes of supervised practice ice.
Beginning on Thursday, December 6, Colonial will offer a Morning Tot Class, in which children ages 3 - 6 can learn creative and instructional program. Tots and young children will learn to skate using a variety of games and toys such as bubbles, beanie babies and more! This 10-week class will be held every Thursday at 10:00 AM - 11:00 AM and consists of 1 hour of fun!
"Learning to skate inspires self-confidence in children and gives them a healthy activity to enjoy throughout their lives," said Sheryl Franks, Creative Director of Colonial Figure Skating Club Basic Skills Program and a 1980 World Olympic Pair Skater. Ms. Franks also was a Principle Skater with Disney on Ice.
Colonial possesses one of the nation's most experienced, proven and effective team of coaches. This professional team offers first-rate coaching in the fields of free skating, moves in the field, dance, pairs, off-ice training, ballet, modern dance and choreography, all in a modern facility that consists of three ice surfaces, a weight room, ballet studio and administrative offices. Former Olympians, National and International Coaches and experienced Show Performers round out the wealth of experience from which our skaters benefit.
In addition to Ms. Franks, instructors include Sarah Rosenfield, Line Captain and Star of "Disney On Ice" and Beth-Anne Duxbury, Principle with "Disney On Ice" and producer of many benefit shows for the Lymphoma & Leukemia Society, Hurricane Katrina and Why Me/Sherry's House. Colonial Figure Skating Club is an official sponsor and supporter of Why Me/Sherry's House located in Worcester, Massachusetts.
The new collaboration will also include performances by skaters from the Colonial Figure Skating Club 2013 New England Regional, Eastern Sectionals and U.S. National Competitors. Skaters, including freestyle, pairs, synchronized and theatre on ice will perform on Opening Night at the Festival of Lights Celebration, First Night Worcester, New Year's Day and Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Also, special performances will be held during school vacations and holidays.
Pre-registration is required for skate lessons. There is a fee associated with classes. Rentals will be available for $3, if needed. To register for lessons, please call (978) 263-3450. To learn more about Colonial, visit http://www.skatecolonial.org. For more information about the Oval at Worcester Common, please visit http://www.worcestercommonoval.com.
