Molly & Dmitre

Hello my name is Molly and I am from Doncaster,UK. I’ve been skating since 2006, I moved to Toronto in 2017 when Dmitre and I teamed up. I received my permanent resident status in Canada in 2022 since then I have been working part time in a tanning salon as the assistant manager & an eyelash technician to help fund my training. I am a very creative individual and I love to express myself through that trait! I enjoy playing around with arts&crafts, embroidery, make up, nails & kareoke! One of my favourite parts of the season is creating our new costumes. I take pride in designing all of my own dresses with help from Carol & our mums. I love to research fashion and take ideas to our dress maker who then does an amazing job of bringing the ideas to life! Being so involved in this process makes performing in the dresses feel more special. I am a huge family person, living away from home is hard but the 5 of us always try to meet up throughout the year, usually at competitions when travelling! At home I have a little pug named Rocco and our family horse is named Sienna.

Hi I’m Dmitre, I was born in Massachusetts and raised in Ajax,Ontario. I’ve been skating since 2000, I’m a second-generation ice dancer following my father, coach and biggest inspiration Juris Razgulajevs.  I’m very fortunate to have a small group of great lads I can call my best friends for almost 15 years. They’re a big part of my life and who I am today. In high school we enjoyed pc building which later morphed us into avid gamers. We recently got into the beautiful sport of golf which is what I love to play on the weekend after a week of training. It allows me to spend more time outside and another reason to hang out with the boys. I enjoy the off-ice weight training almost as much as gliding on the ice. I love spending time outdoors in the summer with my friends, Molly & my family and drinking a nice cold Corona. 

We are a couple on and off of the ice so getting to perform together and travel the world doing what we love is amazing. In the 2022/23 season we were named on the Canadian National team for the first time and were allocated our first senior Grand Prix (Grand Prix de France). We were invited to our first national team camp where we had an amazing time with all of our fellow Canadian teammates. At both of our International assignments for the season (Nebelhorn trophy & Grand Prix de France) we were invited to perform in the galas, again this been a first for us! We were been invited to skate in the gala because of the performances of our free dance, Dolly. Last season we took a different & challenging approach to the free and went for a fun, character  driven piece that was like nothing we had done before. Both of us loved this program and the art we created with the coaches over the year. I (Molly) personally became very attached to this character and program and it will always be a special to me. Next season we aim to push ourselves again with more challenging programs and showing more variety in our performing & technical skills. We will keep working hard towards our Olympic dream, alongside our amazing coaching team, best friends and teammates at Ice Dance Elite. 

Hello, my name is Carolane. I am 26 years old and I was born on the south shore of Montreal. I have always lived in Montreal until we moved to Toronto, last summer, to train with Carol, Juris, Jon and Marc.

I have always been drawn to artistic sports and activities such as ballroom dancing, violin and all types of arts but I have also played hockey and tried all types of other sports.

As a kid, I was very shy and introverted. Figure skating really helped me develop my personality and gave me the opportunity to meet new people, make new friends and taught me life skills helping me in all aspects of my life up to now.

I am training towards my biggest dream, my olympic dream, alongside an amazing team of coaches, friends and most of all , my best friend, boyfriend and partner, Shane .

Hey, my Name is Shane Firus. I am 27 years old born and raised in North Vancouver British Columbia. I have moved all over Canada to pursue my goals in skating and now live and train in Toronto.

Growing up I played every sport imaginable and was finally introduced to Figure Skating at the age of seven to improve my basic skating skills for hockey. Upon realizing that I would never grow, I dropped hockey for the much prettier sport of Figure Skating. Skating always gave me a sense of freedom that not all sports can give and I quickly fell in love with it.

In my spare time I love to read anything that I can get my hands and spend time with Caro and my dog Prince. Since we moved here one year ago, it’s been fun to explore Toronto and to get to know the ins and outs of the city.

Conclusion

This season, we chose to skate to a Tina Turner, donna Summer and Barbara Streisand medley for our rhythm dance and for the free dance, we are preparing a soft, yet powerful program to the sound of Charles Aznavour.

Nadiia & Peter

Hi, I'm Nadiia, and I became a part of the IDE family in 2016. My journey, however, starts back in Kyiv, Ukraine. I was born in the fall of 2003; my parents brought me to the rink for some private lessons beginning at two. I can't say I was the best student, as I always cruised away into the big kid's groups, and it drove my coaches crazy. As I grew up and got older, my life kept revolving around skating, but I also wanted to become a ballerina since I was very young. 

One day my parents finally brought me to the academy, and I was accepted. Since that time, I remember my days would consist of skating, school, ballet and sleep, hardly having enough time to break or relax. Those years shaped me into the person you all know me as today. Five years ago, I moved to Canada not speaking any English, but passionate, happy and excited for my new life. I was on edge between choosing Skating or Ballet, I did not have a partner, and I believe it was faith that Peter and I met. He moved in to live with my family in 2017, a year after I immigrated. I quit ballet and started working harder at skating. After winning Novice Nationals, placing at JGP and Nationals, I feel proud every day to compete for Canada. With the pandemic, Peter and I grew closer; we matured behind the scenes and look forward to getting back to competing. Covid took away my part-time job, and I decided to bring back my other childhood dream. I opened up my chocolate business, "CocoaKind," and now work hard every day to make a little Nadiia proud of achieving her dreams.

Hi I’m Peter. I was born in Rotherham in the U.K. I started skating in 2009 and have been training at IDE since 2017.

I have always enjoyed sports including cycling, swimming and athletics. It was as a result of my children’s athletics group being cancelled one Saturday morning that ultimately led to me starting to skate. I was 7 years old and, after a couple of lessons, had my sights set on playing hockey. My first coach, Nancy (in conspiracy with my Mom), convinced me that I would be a better hockey player if I ditched the hockey skates and did figure skating first. To be honest, once I realised that you could do jumps and spins, I forgot about hockey.

To begin with I did free skating and ice dance. I competed at advance novice level in both disciplines at British Nationals before deciding to concentrate on ice dance.

In 2017 I was without a partner and travelled to Canada for a try-out with Nadiia. I think we both felt straight away that the partnership would work. A few months later, after completing my high school exams, we started training together. The move to Canada was a little daunting at first. I was 15 years old and my parents remained in Britain, but I was made to feel part of the family at home and at the rink.

Nadiia and I have become good friends who support and understand each other. We are learning together and working hard to achieve our shared goals, but are also having fun along the way. 

When we aren’t at the rink, I’ve continued to spend time on activities like cycling and fitness. Nadiia is really good at ballet and she has helped me progress. When we couldn’t be at the rink we took the opportunity, through online lessons, to do different styles of dance. I’d like to say that I’ve helped Nadiia with her baking videos but really it’s just by eating the cakes and chocolate - they are really good!

In the meantime, I’m looking forward to competing again and sharing our new programs.

With the next season approaching we are working hard in preparation for any future competitions we’re hoping have. We are happy to announce that our RD we will be to “Chances Are” and “Peppermint twist”.  It’s a very fun and lively program with lots of character. For our FD, we decided on a folk program. It will be to music from “Blue Shawl” tied with Maria Lazareva’s interpretation of “Katyusha”. Both of us are delighted to have given you an insight into what our programs will be this upcoming season, and we hope to perform them for you in the near future!

-Nadiia and Peter

Emma & CHRISTIAN

Hi, I’m Emma! I am a Junior Ice Dancer with Christian Bennett, and have been a part of the I.D.E. family since January 2019. Training with I.D.E. has opened the door to many experiences, friendships, and learning opportunities that have all played a large role in who I am today.

I am a very passionate and forward-looking person, and I am always chasing my next goal. Aside from skating, I have a big passion for entrepreneurship, and I currently own and operate two start-up businesses. In February 2021, I launched ‘Stitched By Em’ (IG @stitched.by.em), my made-to-order sustainable fashion brand. Sewing has been a lifelong hobby of mine and it has been a joy to turn my ideas into a reality that I can share with the world. In June 2022, I founded my swim academy ‘Swim With Em’ using my backyard pool. My favourite part about teaching is witnessing the growth in confidence of my swimmers. I help them set goals for the end of each class, and seeing them succeed inspires me to continue working towards my own personal goals, whether it’s school, skating, or work-related. 

I am a big believer in small steps taken towards success, because after all, nothing changes if nothing changes (as Carol would say). Christian and I are a new team this season, and we are learning together every day and working hard to achieve our shared goals. We are looking forward to the upcoming season and can’t wait to make our debut as a team.

Hi, I’m Christian! I was born in Atlanta, Georgia, in the United States, and raised in Charlotte, North Carolina. As a child, I was always an outdoorsman. I grew up training and riding horses with my mother. My parents were always very open to letting me try new sports or find new passions. This is what inevitably lead me to ice dance. 

After chatting with a mother at our farm one day, I was introduced to my first coach and mentor, Gary Shortland. Gary took me to several Nationals and helped me to fall in love with ice dancing as a passion. If not for my first coach, I wouldn’t have found Toronto. My coach’s coach, Daphne Frysiek, just so happened to be lifelong friends with Coach Carol Lane. 

After some swift introductions, I visited Canada for the first time back in 2019 and immediately fell in love with the academy. However, I wasn’t done maturing as an athlete yet, so I was advised to take some time before I moved away from home. When Covid-19 hit, I used the next 3 years to grow as a skater and a person by disciplining my mind and body. The Lord blessed me with some amazing opportunities to travel and strengthen my faith, mind, and my skating. 

When I found myself once again in search of a partner in 2023, I reconnected with my old friend Emma Goodstadt from Toronto. Ironically, she and I had skated once before, 4 years ago during my first day in Canada. Emma and I hit it off immediately, and we soon came to learn that we are exceptionally productive together on the ice, as well as complimentary in our styles of learning. She helps me stay organized and grounded while we both help each other to push beyond our comfort zones to improve every day. The coaches saw an immediate match in our styles and lines, and after some discussion, we decided to skate together. 

When we aren’t at the rink, I still enjoy spending time outdoors and being around horses whenever I can. I also find time for writing, weightlifting, and cooking traditional southern-American food. 

In the meantime, I’m looking forward to getting back out to competing and performing our new program. It's been a blessing to be here and to be training among such talented skaters and genuine people. Keep an eye on us ;)

sophia & Billy

Hello, I’m Sophia!! I was born in 2005. I started skating when I was 4 and began Ice dancing at 8 years old. I remember watching a live figure skating competition on TV when I was 4. It was the first time I had ever seen figure skating and I was completely mesmerized by the sport. I was watching Kristi Yamaguchi skate and told my parents that’s what I wanted to do. I began my skating journey at a small club in Newfoundland and then continued skating once I moved to Ontario. After 8 years with my first partner and a year of not competing , I found Billy – or rather we found each other.  I started training with him at I.D.E  in February 2023. 

Skating has always been my passion, my heart and joy. When I am not skating I enjoy cooking and experimenting with various flavours and exotic foods. My dad is my inspiration for cooking. He taught me everything I know. Other pass times of mine are knitting, running, painting and boating. I am not ashamed to say that my two best friends are my dogs. Animals just get me. Somehow life would not be the same without them. Walking my dogs allows me to get away from my crazy life and appreciate all the beauty around me. 

My friends describe me as loving and adventurous. I am always open to trying new things as it brings excitement into my life. As someone who can take things a little too seriously, I try my best to be spontaneous. Sometimes planning is overrated and you just have to do things without thinking(when the time is right). Maybe going with the flow IS the best way to go. 

Hi, I’m Billy Wilson-French from Great Britain more precisely Barnsley in Yorkshire where I trained in Sheffield as a competitive ice dancer with previous coaches Christopher Dean, Yebin Mok and Mark Hanretty. I have represented Great Britain at international competitions and was selected to be apart of the national team.

Recently I moved to Toronto on July 4th, 2022, I now train at the Scarborough figure skating club. I moved to Canada in hopes to achieve my goals of medaling at junior world events in ice dance and further down the line medaling at the Winter Olympics. I’ve been skating for 8 years now and have won 7 National titles in both ice dance and solo free skating as well as 40 gold medals, 10 silver medals and 4 bronze. I quit free skating in 2018 to move all my focus on ice dance as I always knew that’s the discipline that sparked my interest most. Outside of Skating, I trained in a dance and musical theatre conservatoire achieving the equivalent of 3 levels all A’s and A stars. After auditioning and getting excepted to both Urdang and Juilliard I chose to turn down those opportunities to pursue my true passion ice dance.

Catharina & Cayden

Hi, my name is Catharina. I was born in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. I moved to Canada when I was about to turn 4 years old, which is when I started skating. I joined the IDE family at the end of 2021 and began skating with my partner Cayden at the beginning of 2022.

Cayden and I are junior ice dancers representing Brazil and I am forever grateful to my partner for choosing to represent my birth country with me.

I’ve always been the kind of kid that wanted to perform and be in the spotlight and skating was something I was instantly drawn to when I moved to Canada. Alongside skating, I also really enjoy multiple different styles of dance, and thankfully the two sports work hand in hand and the different skills I learn work for either one. 

Even though my international career has just begun, I am working to become a better and more accomplished skater with hopes of giving my flag more recognition and seeing it over the Olympic podium one day, as well as working towards my partner and I’s smaller goals along the way.

Hey, my name is Cayden. I am a Junior Ice Dancer with my partner Catharina representing Brazil! I was born in Toronto, Ontario but have since moved to Oakville, Ontario. 

I began figure skating when I was 7 years old after a few brief and highly unsuccessful attempts at playing hockey. From there my passion for the sport began to grow and I have now been happily skating for about 10 years. In 2021, after many years of competing in Ice Dance and Free Skate simultaneously, I decided to join IDE and pursue Ice Dance full time. In early 2022 Catharina and I began skating together full time and we just enjoyed our first season competing together!

When I’m off the ice I enjoy going to the gym, spending time with friends and family and watching sports.

We are committed to constantly making improvements in all aspects of our skating in order to achieve our goals as a team. In just our first season we have felt immense support from the country and it’s passionate skating fans and we hope to continue to represent Brazil well! We hope to do our part in growing Brazil as a nation in Figure Skating and hopefully inspiring the next generation of Brazilian skaters!

CHARLOTTE & AXEL

Hi I’m Axel, i was born in Toronto where i still live with my family. Ive been skating ever since i could. My mom is a coach so i was on the ice as soon as possible! I also used to be a competitive gymnast, but when skating became more serious, i had to choose one sport, and that was skating! I knew i could go further in it, and i enjoyed it a lot more! I am in first year university for accounting at York, which i do part time as to be able to keep up with our training schedule and work. I’ve started to really enjoy my classes and business and i cant wait to see what comes out of it when i finish! For work, i am a coach, i work in the snack bar at the one rink, and i also work at the skating boutique. So I’m basically around skates all the time :^) which i love. I absolutely love skating. I have made so many great friends and memories from it and learned so much about myself. I have the best coaches in the world! Next season we are aiming to go junior, where i hope we get to travel the world and compete and preform, and show everyone all our hard work!

Charlotte and I have only been skating together for about 10 months. We have a lot of work to do still, but we are working hard to achieve our goals. So far this season we are provincial champions at the sectionals event, and this past weekend we competed in Regina for our Challenge. We came first, AND we got the new Canadian record!!!!

Olivia & Elliot

Hi, I am Olivia. I started skating when I was 7. My mom signed me up for CanSkate at Scarborough Figure Skating Club to get me involved in another winter activity other than tobogganing. Ever since, the rink has become my favorite place to be. I enjoy the speed and freedom of being on the ice. Skates are my “magic shoes” and they empower me to do many fun tricks. I joined the IDE dance program in August 2022 and was fortunate to be paired up with Elliot. Working as a team encourages me to train harder and perform better. It is really satisfying when I can feel progress every week.

Outside of the rink, I enjoy playing chess/cards/board games with my dad. When I spend time alone, I love LEGOs and video games. Even though school and math contests have filled most of the time I used to play, they are still my favorite things to do in my leisure time.

Hi, I'm Elliot and have been skating since I was four.  As the youngest member of a figure skating family, it was inevitable that I would follow my older sisters into figure skating. I worked on freeskate and pattern dances, but it wasn't until my mom and sisters planted the idea that I should try to find a partner to pursue ice dance did I even consider it. With my previous partner we won the 2022 Provincial Championships in STAR 4/5 dance. To pursue ice dancing more seriously I joined the IDE dance development program in May 2022 and was fortunate to be paired up with Olivia in August 2022. 

Outside of the rink I love to spend time with my family, friends, and our two dogs. I like all sports but love playing ultimate frisbee and football. The football team I am rooting for in the Super Bowl is the Kansas City Chiefs. When I am not cheering for the Chiefs, you can find me gaming or doing my homework.

This season, 2022/23, we are competing in the Provincial Series STAR 6/7 category. We're grateful to the amazing coaches and humbled by the skill of our wonderful role models at IDE. We are excited to discover what the future years will bring and look forward to performing, competing and growing as a team.

Elsa & Tristan

Hi, I'm Elsa. I was born in Toronto in 2013, and started skating at the age of three. In addition to figure skating, I also dance competitively in ballet, acro, and jazz. I love performing, and I even performed on stage in Disney World last year in the Halloween dance show! 

Ice Dance is perfect for me, because I get to combine my love of performance, skating, and dance. I started training with Tristan in the fall of 2022, and we are looking forward to competing together. 

When I'm not at the rink or the studio, I love to read and draw. I also love spending time with my mom and dad, my two big brothers, and my three cats. 

Hi, I am Tristan and I am 11 years old. I joined I.D.E in September 2022. I started skating when I was 4 and really enjoyed Canskate. After I passed Canskate and began Star Skate, I knew I wanted to continue because of the fun tricks you can do and how fast you could go. I really like the I.D.E program as it pushes my abilities and I am learning new things every time we are on the ice :)

When, I am not at the ice rink, I enjoy playing with my cat, Galaxie and playing with my yo-yo where I learned cool tricks from YouTube.  I recently got my PADI Jr Open Water certification and enjoy scuba diving while I am on vacation with my family.  I also enjoy playing the flute, piano, and cello. Some sports that I enjoy doing in addition to skating are badminton, downhill skiing, and volleyball. I am also very interested in astronomy.  In the summer, I also enjoy stargazing, looking at the different constellations and watching the different meteor showers. I am excited to learn more about ice dancing!

Piper & Paul

Hi Everyone!

P2 here. We have been partners now for 12 seasons and represent Canada on the international stage.

Hi I’m Piper. I was born in Rockford, Illinois in the United States. Started most of my skating career in Colorado Springs, Colorado before finding my partner of a lifetime in Toronto. I’ve been apart of the IDE family for almost 12 years now and have loved every minute of it. My outside skating life is mostly spent with my husband and lovely dog Scout. Currently studying interior decorating at George Brown in all my free time. Im really interested in anything design, whether it’s costumes, home or fashion they all spark a bit of happiness for me.  

Hi I’m Paul. I’m from Unionville (just outside Toronto) and have been skating now for 26 years, with 22 of those years at IDE. What I enjoy most about ice dance is opportunity to explore and create every day, and to be able to do so with some of the most important people in my life.

Outside of the rink you can find me loitering in a coffee shop, learning about linguistics, reading, or getting distracted from what I was supposed to be doing.

We’ve had the chance to to share our skating with crowds around the world and truly enjoy telling stories through our programs. This year we’re skating to Lady Bri’s “Do What I Do” for the RD, celebrating the joy we have in ourselves and our dancing, while for the free we are presenting the story from the musical Evita.

Whether you are new to ice dance or an old fan, thank you for being on this journey with us!