STORY BY KAREN BOSSICK

PHOTOS BY DAVID. J. MURRAY

Experience the athleticism of ice skating paired with the beauty of ice dancing when Ice Dance International returns to Sun Valley as part of its 10 Year Anniversary United States Tour across 14 U.S. cities.

Ice Dance International will perform “SOAR!” at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, March 18, at the Sun Valley Skating Center. For tickets, visit https://icedanceinternational.org/home.

Ice Dance International performs Douglas Webster’s “In the Light.”

The show will feature 2022 Olympic Ice Dance Champion Gabriella Papadakis, two-time U.S. Champion Alissa Czisny and Puerto Rican National Champion Rohene Ward, along with a cast of world-class skaters and choreographers in a theatrical journey of artistry and athleticism.

Others in the cast include Junior World Campion Ice Dancers Oona and Gage Brown, national Junior Champion and internet sensation Ryan Dunk, former Team U.S. member Karina Manta, former Team Canada member Jean-Simon Legare, U.S. open champion Kseniya Ponomaryova and Collin Brubaker.

The ensemble performances showcases repertory by renowned choreographers Edward Villella; French choreographer Benoit Richaud, the ISU Choreographer of the Year in 2024, and Cindy Stuart, who has choreographed 20 productions for Disney on Ice, as well as programs for National, World and Olympic competitors.

Also, Garrett Smith, who has choreographed pieces for The Bolshoi Ballet and New York City Ballet; Rohene Ward, who choreographs for World Champion Kaori Sakamoto and U.S. Champion Jason Brown, and IDI’s Artistic Director Douglas Webster, who has choreographed for Disney on Ice, Holiday on Ice and Skating with the Stars.

Two-time U.S. Champion Alissa Czisny performs Douglas Webster’s “Nocturne.”

“SOAR! is an uplifting and entrancing show,” said Webster. “Prepare to be immersed in the experience as our cast of 10 takes you on an expressive journey through the flight and flow of theatrical ensemble skating. The show continues to build a bridge from sport to art and pushes the boundaries of dance on ice.”

“This performance and tour will be extra special!” added Joy Prudek, a former USFSA gold test medalist in ice dancing who has been involved with Ice Dance International since its beginning. Her parents, Marilyn and Joseph Kasputys, were two leaders in the development of ice dance as a performing art.

Ice Dance International made a splash in Sun Valley early on as world renowned choreographer Edward Villella and Douglas Webster used Sun Valley’s outdoor rink to build their routines as locals watched.

It has reached thousands across the globe through live and virtual performances. And it’s offered free public school programs and therapeutic on-ice programs.

Rohene Ward is both a skater and choreographer.

Villella and Webster founded Idaho Dance International in 2014 with skating icon and two-time Olympic champion Dick Button, Olympian Linda Villella and the late Debbie Gordon. Its board members include skating legends Dorothy Hamill and JoJo Starbuck, Olympic  Bronze Medalist Scott Allen and Josh Babb, who heads up the national synchronized skating movement.

Their idea was to combine the grace of ballet dancing with the athleticism of figure skating in hopes of inspiring the next generation of skaters

The title “SOAR!” refers to the resurgence and fervor for ice skating, which is one of the fastest growing pasttimes, with rink reservations up 698 percent in 2024. It didn’t hurt that 2024 marked the first time the United States swept three top disciplines at the ISU Grand Prix Figure Skating finals with skaters like “The Quad God”—World Champion Ilia Malinin—exhibiting unparalleled athleticism.