Student Figure Skater to Represent USA

Junior to perform in international competition

Krista ClawsonTHE SANTA CLARAApril 9, 2015

[dropcap]I[/dropcap]n a group of over 20 performers adorned in elaborate costumes, junior Tiffany Iskandar glides across the ice rink, spinning in loops and leaping through the air.

Iskandar, who has performed Theatre on Ice for six years, has qualified to compete at the Nations Cup Ballet on Ice 2015 competition in France on April 25 and 26.

Theatre On Ice, a form of competitive figure skating, is commonly known as Ballet on Ice in Europe. U.S. Figure Skating judges evaluate the performances based on technical merit, originality, costuming, artistry and musicality. 

“You can think of it as Disney on Ice, but we compete,” she said

Last June, her figure skating team won the national title for the second consecutive year, securing their place to represent Team USA at the Nations Cup.

“Our team has 26 skaters and we have a tight bond,” Iskandar said. “Given that we have been through many challenging moments, it has truly reinforced our bonds with one another. In Theatre on Ice, we need to trust one another, especially when performing difficult maneuvers.”

Iskandar began skating when she was just seven years old.

“I grew up watching Michelle Kwan on TV, and I would dream about representing Team USA,” she said.

The sport and its corresponding time commitment are extremely demanding — she wakes up well before the crack of dawn every weekend to practice — but Iskandar’s passion for figure skating drives her to rise to the challenge.

“One of my best pieces of advice came from my mom,” Iskandar said. “It’s important to stay focused to your dreams and goals. I recall her saying, ‘When you have hope, you have fears.’ But what pushes you to overcome your fears is the true test of perseverance and determination.”

Iskandar has had many amazing skating experiences, but counts performing in her team’s tribal program during Nationals in 2013 as one of the best. 

“Being a founding member of (San Francisco Ice Theatre) and seeing how much we’ve grown each season, I can’t wait for the world to watch us perform,” Iskander said. “Over these past six seasons, I’ve worked extremely hard and made many sacrifices, and to see it all come together is a surreal feeling.”

Iskandar wants to continue her involvement with the sport by eventually becoming a figure skating judge.

“I really want to cultivate our next generation and to further establish this growing field in Theatre on Ice,” she said.

Contact Krista Clawson at kclawson@scu.edu or call (408) 554-4852.