Aspen Hosts Unique Figure Skating Show Better Together

Aspen will host a unique figure skating show, "Better Together," on April 18 at the Aspen Recreation Center, featuring a mix of professional and local skaters of all ages. The event, organized by the Revolutions Skating Club of Aspen, promises to be a lively performance with music, costumes, and community involvement.

Coach Michelle Hocknell, who runs the Learn to Skate Program, emphasized the importance of community and positivity, especially in current times. "We're in a time where everyone needs to have something to feel really good about and positive about. Come watch our local skaters and our professionals who already know life is better together," Hocknell said. Her dedication to the sport and the club is evident, having coached for 42 years and seeing the joy of accomplishment in her students, whether they're learning a triple jump or a backwards one-foot glide.

The show itself will include 15 numbers, comprising six group numbers and nine solos, with two professional guest skaters, Jordan Moeller and Sonja Hilmer, performing three numbers, including a joint piece. Moeller, known for his beloved backflip, and Hilmer, a nationally ranked skater who creates her own choreography and can jump in both directions, will undoubtedly bring a high level of skill and entertainment to the event. As Hocknell noted, "Both Jordan and Sonja are great, great people, as well as skaters." Moeller's ability to work with children and Hilmer's creative genius in crafting her own numbers are particularly commendable.

The local skaters, ranging in age from 3 to 12, are just as integral to the show's success. Featured skaters include Dagny Watson, Blayke Smith, Valeria Escamilla, Sophia Olivares-Leighton, Mya Conklin, and Claire Chimerakis, among others. For many of these young skaters, this event is not just about performing but about the journey they've undertaken to get here. Ana Escamilla, whose 5-year-old daughter Valeria joined the club about a year ago, shared her excitement about the show. "I'm excited about the show because it's an opportunity for her to have fun and skate with her friends," Escamilla said, highlighting the club's role in providing a supportive and enjoyable environment for its members.

The Revolutions Skating Club, founded in 2009, has a history of nurturing talent, with some of its skaters going on to perform with notable productions like "Disney on Ice." The club's approach to training youth skaters in both figure skating and hockey has been successful, and its openness to guest skaters adds to its inclusive nature. Hocknell's pride in the club and its skaters is palpable, and events like "Better Together" showcase the club's mission and the community's support for its young athletes, demonstrating the value the club brings to the community.

As the event approaches, the question is whether it will attract a diverse audience from across the community. Given the family-friendly nature of the show and the broad appeal of figure skating, it's likely to draw in both skating enthusiasts and those looking for a unique entertainment experience. The numbers back that up, with the club's history of engaging performances and the draw of professional skaters like Moeller and Hilmer.

The outcome of the event will become apparent as it unfolds, but Coach Hocknell reflects on her years of coaching and the joy it brings her, it's evident that this event is about more than just skating — it's about the bonds formed through a shared passion and the celebration of achievement. "I have been coaching for 42 years and the club and our skaters are very near and dear to my heart," Hocknell said, encapsulating the spirit of the event and the community it represents.