Ice Twizzle

This week Beate-Helene Andersen, coach and founder of the Bergen Umbrellas talks to us about synchronised figure skating (synchro). The amazing story of the Bergen Umbrellas unfolds in this episode, as we find out how one persons idea to give passion to skaters, created a synchro skating team that has given back to her, as much as she gave to it.Beate-Helene very bravely ventured into the world of synchro knowing very little about synchronised figure skating, though an accomplished skater and coach herself, her move to form a synchronised skating team was a bold one. The most heart-warming part of this process was the reason behind it, to encourage a passion in figure skating.We hear what it is like to create and nurture a synchro team from scratch and struggles that involves. From starting the team, to now when they are competing, the journey is an interesting one. One that perhaps has given back to Beate-Helene, as she watches something quite lovely grow. The future for Team Bergen Umbrella is bright, you heard it here first. Listen to the story so far of Beate-Helene and the Bergen Umbrellas.If you are interested in either joining the Bergen Umbrellas or are able to help Beate-Helene with your synchro experience as a coach or choreographer, please feel free to contact her on Instagram on:@Team_BergenumbrellasOr we can pass your details on by contacting us at:info@icetwizzle.com

This week we talk to the figure skater turned entrepreneur Marie-Pier Chouinard, the founder of Brilliance & Melrose.Marie takes us through the journey from competitive figure skating to Disney on ice, show biz and travelling the world. The complex turn of events that led to the creation of the ever-popular Brilliance & Melrose brand.Brilliance & Melrose is quickly becoming a well-known brand thanks to Marie's background in fashion and skills in business, but who is the person behind the brand? And why is Marie so passionate about skating clothing and accessories? From jewellery to knits, Marie's fascinating story of how this all came about makes for great listening and shows the figure skating passion that Marie has, which in-turn gives the brand such a genuine appeal.To take a look at the Brilliance & Melrose range visit https://brilliance-melrose.com/Follow Marie and her exciting creations on Instagram at https://www.instagram.com/brilliance_melrose

This week we speak to Małgorzata Osypińska (Margret) from Nordic Ice Theatre. Margret is the founder and artistic director of Nordic Ice Theatre, Norway's new and first Ice theatre company.With a unique blend of figure skating, artistic choreography and live musicians on the ice, Nordic Ice Theatre is going to blow your socks off.The utterly beautiful figure skating performances with classical musicians on the ice, in the shockingly beautiful backdrop of Bergen, Norway, as seen on YouTube, prompted this one on one interview.There is something beautifully different about Nordic Ice Theatre (or Nordice as it is known to some), the combination of figure skating, live musicians and beautiful choreography create an experience that is sublime.In this interview we hear how Margret and the rest of the Nordic Ice Theatre company are creating a new future for figure skating in Norway, by being the first ice theatre company in Norway; and by  delivering their own unique take on incorporating live music intrinsically with the performance. Margret speaks about how her figure skating career, dance and choreography expertise combined with skills from what is now the Nordic Ice Theatre team to form something that we at Ice Twizzle, and shortly the rest of the world will realise is greater than the sum of its parts.Though those parts are spectacular including:Maciej KuśFigure skater, multiple Polish National Champion and Representative, currently coach at Bergen Kunstløpklubb  Beate - Helene AndersenFigure skater, coach at Loddefjord Idrettslag, coach of the synchro team Bergen Umbrellas  Ingrid Louise Vestre Figure skater, junior coach at Bergen Kunstløpklubb Julia MalikSoprano and cellist, Nordic Ice Theatre´s Musical Director, General Director of Sunrise Bridge Music Production  Anders Hannevold Composer and pianist, Nordic Ice Theatre´s in - house composer Vladimira ScigulinskaViolinist; currently plays in the first violin section at Slovak State Philharmonic KosiceNordic Ice Theatre also work with guest artists in their upcoming show ‘Winter Tales'.So get comfy, listen to the show and feel very special that few people have heard the voice of Margret or Nordic Ice theatre, so you will be able to say, I heard of them on a podcast before they were world famous and gave something to artistic figure skating that was both awe-inspiring and uniquely Nordic Ice Theatre.To find out more about Nordic Ice Theatre, check them out at:Their website-https://www.nordicicetheatre.com/On Instagram-@_nordiceOn You Tube-https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGPhdLGLIJc3A1HY_vz6brQOn Facebook-https://facebook.com/nordicicetheatre

This week we talk adult figure skating with Chloe from the 'Figure it Out blog'. We all know as adult ice skaters, that skating is not always easy, but is ever challenging and plenty of fun. Sometimes knowing where to share your thoughts with like-minded individuals can be tough, especially with people on social media showing the best of their skating, it can be intimidating.That is where Chloe (of @Chloeonice_ Instagram fame) comes in, with her fresh new look at adult skating and a new Facebook group (figure it out group) come in. Chloe has created a virtual 'safe space' for adult skaters to share their setbacks and successes. This group is non-judgmental and aims to be a warmer and less intimidating environment for adult ice skaters in comparison to the 'show reel' Instagram highlights that can be daunting for adult skaters wanting to share their experiences.You can check out the group on face book - Figure it out groupOr check Chloe on Instagram - @Chloeonice_ Also the Figure it Out Blog website at https://figureitoutblog.com/

Artistic figure skating is a movement that is gathering pace, not in the least with help from the United States longest running ice dance company, Ice Theatre of New York.Moira North, who is both the founder and the Artistic Director at ITNY gives an insight into the creation of Ice of Theatre of New York and its fantastic contribution to the arts.Created as a not for profit dance company, Ice Theatre of New York has worked with some of the greatest names in both ice skating, ballet and other artistic forms; It is the unique fusion of artistic disciplines that make both Ice Theatre of New York and artistic ice skating its own special brand of magic.Moira, who is arguably one of the most notable figures in artistic skating takes us through the inspirations and working with John Curry, to bringing hip hop and aerial acrobatics to the ice, from the companies humble beginnings to a world renown artistic ice skating company at the forefront of the movement.You can view some of the amazing work of Ice Theatre of New York by visiting the website at https://www.icetheatre.org

This week we are joined by Kate McSwain, Co-CEO (the other being Garrett Kling) of American Ice Theatre.  Kate gives an insight into the world of artistic ice skating, a fusion of contemporary dance and figure skating.American Ice Theatre is part of the ever growing artistic ice skating movement that not only changes the way the skaters feel about themselves, but the way audiences perceive figure skating. This cathartic form of contemporary ice skating draws from contemporary dance through the medium of figure skating.Kate McSwain explains how American Ice Theatre  is helping skaters to have a healthier view of themselves and how artistic skating can enable skaters to enjoy skating outside of the competition circuit.There is no doubt that artistic ice skating allows for skaters to express themselves outside of the confines of typical figure skating rules, but what is lesser known, is how artistic skating is promoting the human, the person as well as the skating. This form of  contemporary art not only allows skaters to skate for more of their life, but may encourage a kind of personal growth and confidence all of its own, and audiences all over the world are loving it.To find out more about American Ice Theatre, check out the website at  https://americanicetheatre.org/ or email them at info@americanicetheatre.org

This is a fantastic insight into off ice training with the super accomplished Angela Kim. Not only is Angela an ice skating coach, but she is also a Pilates instructor, an aerial acrobat, contortionist, America's got talent contestant and the list goes on and on. After having to re-learn how to ice skate after a double hip reconstruction, Angela gives us some insight to her new off ice training program for figure skaters. A program first developed as a coaching resource has now become a go-to guide for all figure skaters. This latest configuration of the resource  gives adult skaters access to wealth of video workouts and a whole resource for honing their body for figure skating.After a considerable hip reconstruction, Angela Kim has created a resource that aims to provide longevity to figure skaters, focusing on the most supportive and safest ways to train off ice, for on ice performance, giving skaters an exercise resource that will work with their bodies, whilst avoiding the pitfalls that may cause injury or issues in later life.Angela Kim chats frankly in this interview about the Balanced Skaters resource and the events in her own life that has lead to its creation.If you wish to contact Angela Kim regarding Balanced Skaters, Angela is on Instagram at Balanced Skaters, feel free to DM her.Also check out the skating resource at the website www.BlancedSkaters.com.The Balanced Skaters app is available for IOS and Android devices, Just search your app store for Balanced Skaters.

This week we are joined by Jadene, co-founder of Skating Success. Jadene shares some insights into the creation of figure skating choreography and the unique way she shines a light on the psychology behind great ice skating performance and mental health. Jadene now runs master classes for coaches and provides coaching and choreography for students. Feel free to check out the skating success website at skatingsuccess.com or DM her on Instagram or Facebook at @skatingsuccess.

This episode explores off ice fitness, apps for fitness and joy of hiding your cardio workouts in other forms of exercise. Escaping reality using exercise and ice skating. More chat on the up-coming Spiral magazine and general chat on all things ice skating.Follow Ice Twizzle on Instagram at Ice_TwizzleFollow Spiral Magazine on Instagram at spiralmagazine_

This week we welcome Sophie from Spiral Magazine for figure skating talk and the creation of Spiral Magazine out early next year. We discuss off ice training for figure skaters, off ice skates and training with British Ice Skating and the ISU. General ice skating chat and putting the world to rights. This weeks collaboration brings together ice dance, solo skating and difficulty of finding partners. So get yourself comfy for some chilled, unplanned ice skating chat. 

We are back with all things figure skating. A great interview with Gliding Stars of Western New York, an update on breaking in the new ice skates and more. We are back on air and back ice skating.

This episode explores the difficulties in choosing figure skates.  Knowing whether to buy Edea, Jackson, Risport or SP Teri etc can be difficult.  This episode gives valuable insight into buying ice skates that are great for you and offers 'how to' advise when trying on ice skate boots, more importantly, how to go about getting the right sizes of figure skate to try on.Also discussed is 'why are ire rinks cold all of a sudden' and a welcome to all figure skaters to the ice twizzle channel.Its great to have you on board the ice twizzle journey.For further information on all things figure skating visit https://icetwizzle.com/.