RYAN GRAHAM
Observer Reporter
Quesnel’s Selena Van Aert has always had a passion for skating and now gets to show her skills on the big stage, through Disney on Ice. Van Aert, who is coming off her tour for the year, where she performed all over the U.S., also made stops in Toronto, Hamilton, Calgary, Winnipeg, London and Quebec City in Canada. She says the opportunity to travel with the show has been awesome.
“I’ve done quite a bit of travelling growing up so I have seen quite a bit, but it was great being on tour and being able to work in these cities,” Van Aert said.
She became involved with Disney on Ice after submitting an audition tape to the show.
Van Aert says her experience with Disney on Ice has been incredible and she plans to go back next year.
“It was absolutely amazing because I grew so much as a person and I also improved my skating,” Van Aert said.
While performing for Disney on Ice she had four different shows. They were the Princess and the Frog, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Cinderella and Tangled. Although, it was an amazing experience she admits there was an adjustment period.
“Definitely the hardest adjustment was living out of two suitcases and switching cities every week, but it was all worth it for sure,” Van Aert said.
Moving forward she has goals of increasing her role within the show, which includes learning pair skating because it will provide her with more opportunities with Disney on Ice. Van Aert says she immediately fell in love with skating because of everything that’s involved with it, especially the freedom you have.
“You can do so much with your body, the movements and there is so many different ways to improve out there,” Van Aert said. While in Quesnel Van Aert also had the chance to skate with her old figure skating club and give advice to current members, who are thinking about future opportunities with Disney on Ice or skating in general.
“Keep practicing because it’s completely attainable for all of them if they really want to do it,” Van Aert said.
“Practice your skating skills, as well as with a partner because that’s definitely a plus.”