Tuesday, May 24, 2011
Meghan Lewis
Meghan L. Mei's first coach stopped by before the show to say hello and to give her encouragement to Mei.
Thursday, May 5, 2011
EOI practice
Students of the Jamestown Skating Academy are putting the finishing touches on Excellence On Ice, which will be performed at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday at the Jamestown Savings Bank Ice Arena. Tickets are available at the arena box office, by phone at 484-2624 or on-line at www.jamestownarena.com.
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Women’s Skating Champion Appeared At JSBIA In 2005
By Scott Kindberg (skindberg@post-journal.com)
The Japanese woman who captured the world figure skating championship on Saturday in Moscow has a connection to Jamestown.
Miki Ando appeared at the Jamestown Savings Bank Ice Arena in August 2005, one of hundreds of skaters who took part in Skate Chautauqua. The event annually attracts many of the world's best figure skaters, who have their talents evaluated by some of the sport's top judges.
Ando didn't disappoint.
"She was very shy and very beautiful, a wonderful skater,'' recalled Kirk Wyse, who has coordinated the event with Lenel van den Berg and Mary Handley since 1995. " I think the fact that of all the competitions that take place around the world that she chose Skate Chautauqua to debut a new program was a tribute to the reputation of Skate Chautauqua.''
Local attorney and sports historian Greg Peterson was impressed. Initially drawn to the rink to interview Ando's then-coaches, former Olympic champions Carol Heiss and Hayes Jenkins, Peterson quickly recognized the young woman's talents.
"The original storyline was Hayes and Carol, the husband and wife who were both Olympic gold medalists,'' Peterson said. "I had interviewed both of them the year before and we kind of became acquaintances thereafter. I went over to the rink to videotape (Heiss) and I could see (Ando) was a special talent.''
Armed with his camera, Peterson videotaped Ando's performance, too, and he has posted it on-line on YouTube.
"I'm interested in history and, certainly, sports is part of that history,'' Peterson said. "Everybody has a story to tell and I believe that story should be documented. Second of all, especially when it comes to sports, you never know when you might see the stars of tomorrow today. To document that is kind of fun. Finally, to look back and say, 'Golly, they were here,' and to be able to visualize that makes it special."
Ando arrived in Jamestown with quite a resume. In addition to being Japan's national champion, she was also ranked No. 4 in the world and was the first women to ever land a quadruple jump in competition. By 2007, she had claimed her first world championship.
See ANDO, Page B-2
World title No. 2 came Saturday when she defeated Olympic champion Kim Yu-na of South Korea. The competition was originally scheduled for Japan before it was devastated by an earthquake and tsunami in March.
"In (Ando's) interview afterward, she was very humble,'' said Wyse, who watched the competition on-line. "She mentioned that she was very happy that she skated so well for the people who went through so much.
"Figure skating is a national sport in Japan and for her to win at a time of strife in her country is a great, uplifting thing."
Having elite skaters at Skate Chautauqua is nothing new. Sarah Hughes, the 2002 Olympic champion, appeared in Jamestown in the late 1990s.
"As we were watching (the world championships) on the Internet," Wyse noted, "I said, 'Oh, my God, we have a world champion and an Olympic champion who have skated at Skate Chautauqua.''
Wyse and van den Berg, the co-directors of the Jamestown Skating Academy, will have another chance to showcase figure skating talent on Saturday when they produce Excellence On Ice at the JSBIA. Show times are 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.
VIP on-ice tickets are $30 and reserved arena seating tickets are $10 or $12.
The box office at the JSBIA is open from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
To reserve tickets by phone, call the Excellence on Ice ticket line at 484-2624 or reserve tickets online atwww.JamestownArena.com. Excellence on Ice is sponsored by The Post-Journal, the Warren Times Observer, Cummins Jamestown Engine Plant, Chautauqua Region Community Foundation and SE-93.
Sunday, May 1, 2011
The Natural
May 1, 2011
By Scott Kindberg (skindberg@post-journal.com) , The Post-Journal
Adrian Rosenberg admits to not being too fond of heights. He even says he fears it.
But the Pittsford resident appears to be about ready to conquer that fear.
In a big, big way.
One of the featured performers at next Saturday's Excellence On Ice at the Jamestown Savings Bank Ice Arena, Rosenberg, 18, has recently been offered the professional skating opportunity of a lifetime from Disney On Ice.
And he's anxious to fly with it.
Literally.
When you're asked to play the role of Peter Pan, the self-proclaimed "boy who never grows up," on a nationwide tour, well, you have no choice but to forge ahead to fulfill a life-long dream, phobia and all.
"This show is a brand-new show,'' said Rosenberg, a Jamestown Skating Academy student for seven years. ''A big part of it will be a Peter Pan production. They hook you up to a cable and you do a flying routine."
"I have a fear of heights, but I'll get used to it."
While a contract has yet to be signed, Rosenberg expects to do so within the next couple weeks.
"I think it's such a unique opportunity,'' he said. "It gives me a chance - besides the travel and meeting all these people - to break the mold."
In other words, instead of following the traditional path of teenagers after high school - Rosenberg will graduate from McQuaid Jesuit in June - he will now be able to purse his professional ice skating dream.
"The more I've skated, the more I've realized it was something I could do with my life,'' he said.
His resume certainly supports that ambition.
A freestyle gold medalist and a two-time national competitor, Rosenberg has been performing at a high level ever since he hooked up with JSA co-directors Lenel van den Berg and Kirk Wyse seven years ago.
"They've been my mentors through this whole thing,'' Rosenberg said. "They've mentored me as coaches and helped me set my goals for skating. Once I realized that competing wasn't the thing I wanted to do, they helped guide me through the whole (Disney On Ice) application process."
Of course, van den Berg and Wyse know a thing or two about professional ice shows.
Van den Berg is a former seven-time national champion of his native South Africa, was a member of his nation's international figure skating team and he also toured professionally for seven years with Holiday On Ice.
Wyse, meanwhile, toured the world, starring with Holiday On Ice and the Ice Capades for 18 years before beginning a full-time coaching career. In 1996, he was the choreographer of world champion Todd Eldredge.
"They know everything inside and out about the business,'' Rosenberg said. "The major advantage for me getting into the show is them.''
"Adrian is a performing natural," Wyse said. "The Disney On Ice production team loved his audition DVD and responded immediately that they wanted him."
Area skating enthusiasts will have a chance to see Rosenberg perform at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. next Saturday when he and the rest of the JSA students perform in what van den Berg and Wyse describe as "America's most spectacular community ice show."
Rosenberg, who will be appearing in Excellence On Ice for a fifth time, will perform two solo numbers - a routine from Aladdin and a routine to the music of recording star Usher.
"Every time I go out there (during Excellence On Ice),'' Rosenberg said, "it's a whole new experience to me because (van den Berg and Wyse) manage to keep it refreshing and new."
The annual ice show has also given Rosenberg, the son of Gary and Graziella Rosenberg, opportunities, most notably the one that is coming up with Disney On Ice.
"I got my first taste of performing in front of a big audience and feeling the high of the applause from Excellence On Ice,'' Rosenberg said. "It gave me a very small glimpse into the world of the professional skating world."
"I think he was 12 when he first performed in Excellence on Ice," said van den Berg. "He skated to the Bee Gees 'Stayin' Alive' and he stopped the show. A new ice show star was born. Trust me, his performances this year will not disappoint."
VIP seating will once again be featured for Excellence On Ice. Flooring material will be placed around the perimeter of the ice accompanied by tables adorned with linens, hor d'oeurves, wine, and soft drinks. The arena seats will be utilized for reserved seating. Concert-style lighting will be provided by APG of Fredonia.
VIP on-ice tickets are $30 and reserved arena seating tickets are $10 or $12.
The box office at the JSBIA is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
To reserve tickets by phone, call the Excellence on Ice ticket line at 484-2624 or reserve tickets online at www.JamestownArena.com . Excellence on Ice is sponsored by The Post-Journal, the Warren Times Observer, Cummins Jamestown Engine Plant, Chautauqua Region Community Foundation, Wegmans, and SE-93.
May 1, 2011
By Scott Kindberg (skindberg@post-journal.com) , The Post-Journal
Adrian Rosenberg admits to not being too fond of heights. He even says he fears it.
But the Pittsford resident appears to be about ready to conquer that fear.
In a big, big way.
One of the featured performers at next Saturday's Excellence On Ice at the Jamestown Savings Bank Ice Arena, Rosenberg, 18, has recently been offered the professional skating opportunity of a lifetime from Disney On Ice.
And he's anxious to fly with it.
Literally.
When you're asked to play the role of Peter Pan, the self-proclaimed "boy who never grows up," on a nationwide tour, well, you have no choice but to forge ahead to fulfill a life-long dream, phobia and all.
"This show is a brand-new show,'' said Rosenberg, a Jamestown Skating Academy student for seven years. ''A big part of it will be a Peter Pan production. They hook you up to a cable and you do a flying routine."
"I have a fear of heights, but I'll get used to it."
While a contract has yet to be signed, Rosenberg expects to do so within the next couple weeks.
"I think it's such a unique opportunity,'' he said. "It gives me a chance - besides the travel and meeting all these people - to break the mold."
In other words, instead of following the traditional path of teenagers after high school - Rosenberg will graduate from McQuaid Jesuit in June - he will now be able to purse his professional ice skating dream.
"The more I've skated, the more I've realized it was something I could do with my life,'' he said.
His resume certainly supports that ambition.
A freestyle gold medalist and a two-time national competitor, Rosenberg has been performing at a high level ever since he hooked up with JSA co-directors Lenel van den Berg and Kirk Wyse seven years ago.
"They've been my mentors through this whole thing,'' Rosenberg said. "They've mentored me as coaches and helped me set my goals for skating. Once I realized that competing wasn't the thing I wanted to do, they helped guide me through the whole (Disney On Ice) application process."
Of course, van den Berg and Wyse know a thing or two about professional ice shows.
Van den Berg is a former seven-time national champion of his native South Africa, was a member of his nation's international figure skating team and he also toured professionally for seven years with Holiday On Ice.
Wyse, meanwhile, toured the world, starring with Holiday On Ice and the Ice Capades for 18 years before beginning a full-time coaching career. In 1996, he was the choreographer of world champion Todd Eldredge.
"They know everything inside and out about the business,'' Rosenberg said. "The major advantage for me getting into the show is them.''
"Adrian is a performing natural," Wyse said. "The Disney On Ice production team loved his audition DVD and responded immediately that they wanted him."
Area skating enthusiasts will have a chance to see Rosenberg perform at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. next Saturday when he and the rest of the JSA students perform in what van den Berg and Wyse describe as "America's most spectacular community ice show."
Rosenberg, who will be appearing in Excellence On Ice for a fifth time, will perform two solo numbers - a routine from Aladdin and a routine to the music of recording star Usher.
"Every time I go out there (during Excellence On Ice),'' Rosenberg said, "it's a whole new experience to me because (van den Berg and Wyse) manage to keep it refreshing and new."
The annual ice show has also given Rosenberg, the son of Gary and Graziella Rosenberg, opportunities, most notably the one that is coming up with Disney On Ice.
"I got my first taste of performing in front of a big audience and feeling the high of the applause from Excellence On Ice,'' Rosenberg said. "It gave me a very small glimpse into the world of the professional skating world."
"I think he was 12 when he first performed in Excellence on Ice," said van den Berg. "He skated to the Bee Gees 'Stayin' Alive' and he stopped the show. A new ice show star was born. Trust me, his performances this year will not disappoint."
VIP seating will once again be featured for Excellence On Ice. Flooring material will be placed around the perimeter of the ice accompanied by tables adorned with linens, hor d'oeurves, wine, and soft drinks. The arena seats will be utilized for reserved seating. Concert-style lighting will be provided by APG of Fredonia.
VIP on-ice tickets are $30 and reserved arena seating tickets are $10 or $12.
The box office at the JSBIA is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
To reserve tickets by phone, call the Excellence on Ice ticket line at 484-2624 or reserve tickets online at www.JamestownArena.com . Excellence on Ice is sponsored by The Post-Journal, the Warren Times Observer, Cummins Jamestown Engine Plant, Chautauqua Region Community Foundation, Wegmans, and SE-93.
The Natural
May 1, 2011
By Scott Kindberg (skindberg@post-journal.com) , The Post-Journal
Adrian Rosenberg admits to not being too fond of heights. He even says he fears it.
But the Pittsford resident appears to be about ready to conquer that fear.
In a big, big way.
One of the featured performers at next Saturday's Excellence On Ice at the Jamestown Savings Bank Ice Arena, Rosenberg, 18, has recently been offered the professional skating opportunity of a lifetime from Disney On Ice.
And he's anxious to fly with it.
Literally.
When you're asked to play the role of Peter Pan, the self-proclaimed "boy who never grows up," on a nationwide tour, well, you have no choice but to forge ahead to fulfill a life-long dream, phobia and all.
"This show is a brand-new show,'' said Rosenberg, a Jamestown Skating Academy student for seven years. ''A big part of it will be a Peter Pan production. They hook you up to a cable and you do a flying routine."
"I have a fear of heights, but I'll get used to it."
While a contract has yet to be signed, Rosenberg expects to do so within the next couple weeks.
"I think it's such a unique opportunity,'' he said. "It gives me a chance - besides the travel and meeting all these people - to break the mold."
In other words, instead of following the traditional path of teenagers after high school - Rosenberg will graduate from McQuaid Jesuit in June - he will now be able to purse his professional ice skating dream.
"The more I've skated, the more I've realized it was something I could do with my life,'' he said.
His resume certainly supports that ambition.
A freestyle gold medalist and a two-time national competitor, Rosenberg has been performing at a high level ever since he hooked up with JSA co-directors Lenel van den Berg and Kirk Wyse seven years ago.
"They've been my mentors through this whole thing,'' Rosenberg said. "They've mentored me as coaches and helped me set my goals for skating. Once I realized that competing wasn't the thing I wanted to do, they helped guide me through the whole (Disney On Ice) application process."
Of course, van den Berg and Wyse know a thing or two about professional ice shows.
Van den Berg is a former seven-time national champion of his native South Africa, was a member of his nation's international figure skating team and he also toured professionally for seven years with Holiday On Ice.
Wyse, meanwhile, toured the world, starring with Holiday On Ice and the Ice Capades for 18 years before beginning a full-time coaching career. In 1996, he was the choreographer of world champion Todd Eldredge.
"They know everything inside and out about the business,'' Rosenberg said. "The major advantage for me getting into the show is them.''
"Adrian is a performing natural," Wyse said. "The Disney On Ice production team loved his audition DVD and responded immediately that they wanted him."
Area skating enthusiasts will have a chance to see Rosenberg perform at 3 p.m. and 7 p.m. next Saturday when he and the rest of the JSA students perform in what van den Berg and Wyse describe as "America's most spectacular community ice show."
Rosenberg, who will be appearing in Excellence On Ice for a fifth time, will perform two solo numbers - a routine from Aladdin and a routine to the music of recording star Usher.
"Every time I go out there (during Excellence On Ice),'' Rosenberg said, "it's a whole new experience to me because (van den Berg and Wyse) manage to keep it refreshing and new."
The annual ice show has also given Rosenberg, the son of Gary and Graziella Rosenberg, opportunities, most notably the one that is coming up with Disney On Ice.
"I got my first taste of performing in front of a big audience and feeling the high of the applause from Excellence On Ice,'' Rosenberg said. "It gave me a very small glimpse into the world of the professional skating world."
"I think he was 12 when he first performed in Excellence on Ice," said van den Berg. "He skated to the Bee Gees 'Stayin' Alive' and he stopped the show. A new ice show star was born. Trust me, his performances this year will not disappoint."
VIP seating will once again be featured for Excellence On Ice. Flooring material will be placed around the perimeter of the ice accompanied by tables adorned with linens, hor d'oeurves, wine, and soft drinks. The arena seats will be utilized for reserved seating. Concert-style lighting will be provided by APG of Fredonia.
VIP on-ice tickets are $30 and reserved arena seating tickets are $10 or $12.
The box office at the JSBIA is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
To reserve tickets by phone, call the Excellence on Ice ticket line at 484-2624 or reserve tickets online at www.JamestownArena.com . Excellence on Ice is sponsored by The Post-Journal, the Warren Times Observer, Cummins Jamestown Engine Plant, Chautauqua Region Community Foundation, Wegmans, and SE-93.
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