EK dance star takes on Disney Ania is Queen of ice tour
GREGOR FARQUHARSON
An East Kilbride ice skater has been wowing huge crowds on tour.
Ania Weglicka, 21, is a cast member with Disney On Ice, touring around the world and performing to thousands each night.
Ania is a former pupil at St Andrew’s and St Bride’s High School and has been skating for the majority of her life.
Speaking to the News, she said: “I have been skating for 13 years and I trained with the East Kilbride Figure Skating Club (at the Olympia Shopping Centre). My coach was Yvonne Cameron and I started when I was eight-years old.”
Leaving school three years ago, Ania joined the team at Disney On Ice almost as soon as she left.
She is now a regular in the show and is part of the ensemble.
She said: “I joined right after high school and I wasn’t sure what to expect.
“I am an ensemble skater which means I’m part of all the big production numbers and get to be part of every segment of the show.
“I knew it was going to be a lot of hard work and training but I wasn’t sure how I would adapt to living on the road but it turned out to be the best thing for me, I absolutely love it.
“Every week for the first day of shows we come in a few hours early. We do class for 30 minutes where we work on our edges and guiding to be in sync with one another.
“After every show we have ‘open ice’ to skate by ourselves and to work and improve our skills.
“My favourite character would have to be Ariel, she has always been one of my favourite princesses since I was a little girl.”
Ania explained that she has learned so much from her time skating, and that even today she still picks up tips from people.
And she urges all upcoming skaters to follow their dreams.
“It is an incredible experience being able to do what you love, travel and work with people from all over the world,” she added.
“I have had the chance to learn from other skaters who have been inspiring me to improve in my own skating skills and performance every day.
“For anyone that would like to pursue skating as a career I would tell them to work super hard and keep working towards their goals whether they are big or small - never give up on them.”
You can see Ania and the rest of the Disney On Ice team when they visit Glasgow’s SSE Hydro from April 16 - 18. Tickets area available from www.disneyonice.co.uk