Tonya Harding

 "Tonya Harding’s love of figure skating began at age three when she visited the ice rink at Portland’s Lloyd Center mall in Oregon. Despite growing up in a financially struggling family and facing a difficult childhood, Tonya quickly demonstrated extraordinary natural talent. Her mother, LaVona, eventually helped her find a coach, Diane Rawlinson, who recognized her potential. Tonya won her first skating competition at age five and continued developing her athletic abilities. By her teenage years, she was known for her powerful jumps, speed, and remarkable spins. Her determination helped her rise to the highest levels of competitive figure skating despite the financial and personal challenges she faced.

In 1991, Tonya won her first U.S. National Figure Skating Championship and made history by becoming the first American woman to successfully land a triple axel during competition. This difficult jump established her as one of the sport’s most accomplished athletes. She also won a silver medal at the World Championships and achieved additional success at international competitions. Tonya competed in the 1992 Winter Olympics in Albertville, France, finishing fourth. Her athletic achievements made her a standout figure skater, and she returned to win another U.S. national title in 1994, earning a place on the Olympic team for the Lillehammer Winter Olympics.

However, Tonya’s skating career was forever changed by the 1994 attack on fellow American figure skater Nancy Kerrigan. The attack was connected to Tonya’s ex-husband, Jeff Gillooly, and others who conspired to injure Kerrigan. Tonya has maintained that she did not participate in planning the attack, although she later pleaded guilty to hindering prosecution. The scandal overshadowed her athletic accomplishments, and she was subsequently banned from competitive figure skating by the U.S. Figure Skating Association. Losing the sport that had defined her life was a devastating turning point. In the years that followed, Tonya explored other opportunities, including professional boxing, acting, television appearances, and public speaking. She also returned to skating on several occasions, demonstrating that her passion for the sport had never disappeared.

Throughout her life, Tonya has spoken about the difficulties she experienced growing up, including abuse and financial hardship, as well as the challenges she faced in adulthood. She has used her experiences to encourage others who have endured difficult circumstances, particularly people affected by domestic violence. Her story received renewed public attention through documentaries and the 2017 film I, Tonya, starring Margot Robbie as Tonya and Allison Janney as her mother. The film received critical acclaim, and Janney won an Academy Award for Best Supporting Actress. Tonya also reached new audiences through appearances on Dancing with the Stars, where she finished third, and Worst Cooks in America, which she won in the celebrity competition, earning $25,000 for her chosen charity, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Tonya Harding’s life has been marked by extraordinary athletic accomplishments, public controversy, and repeated efforts to find a new direction. Beyond figure skating, she has pursued diverse interests, including boxing, acting, and setting a land-speed record in a vintage car in 2008. Although the 1994 scandal remains a defining part of her public image, her story also reflects the determination required to overcome adversity and rebuild a life after major setbacks. From her early days at Portland’s Lloyd Center rink to her achievements in sports and entertainment, Tonya remains a recognizable figure in American popular culture whose life continues to generate interest and discussion."

 "Originally from Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, Joe began figure skating at age 11 and never looked back. During his competitive career he trained with top skaters and coaches at the Detroit Skating Club. He is a 2-time Gold medalist in Moves in the Field and Freestyle and has experience in pairs and ice dancing. In 2009, he retired from competition and turned toward the spotlight, beginning a professional career allowing him to travel to over 77 countries worldwide. He has performed principal roles in numerous international production shows including Holiday on Ice, Royal Caribbean Cruise Lines, Hot Ice, Ice Creative Entertainment, Drag on Ice, and Magic on Ice. His performance specialties include back flips and a hula hoop ice act. 

As a coach, Joe specializes in jump and spin technique, choreography, skating skills, and jump harness training. He is passionate about building strong technical foundations while fostering a lifelong love of figure skating. Most recently, he joined Tonya Harding’s coaching team, assisting with jump harness training as she works to bring her triple jumps back to the ice. Joe also serves as choreographer and artistic director of Tonya Harding and Friends on Ice.

Beyond the ice, Joe earned his Master of Science in Speech-Language Pathology summa cum laude from Portland State University in 2020. His clinical background is in voice and swallowing disorders, head and neck cancer rehabilitation, and orofacial myofunctional disorders. He works full-time in acute care at two community Oregon hospitals. 

When he’s not on the ice or at the hospital, Joe enjoys traveling, exploring new places, and spending time with his husband, Billy, and their three cuddly fur babies (Alice, Henry, and Charlie). His favorite place to unwind is the beautiful Oregon coast.” 

 "Shepherd Clark is an International Figure Skating Champion, as well as a US Olympic & World Team Alternate, yet what distinguishes Mr Clark is a career dominating The World Figure And Fancy Skating Championships preserving Figures, the namesake of Figure Skating .......... and The World Professional Artistic Figure Skating Legacy each year in Lake Placid, NY.
 

Shepherd Clark is World Figure Sport's (WFS) most decorated skater, known for winning an astonishing ten consecutive World Figure titles, being inducted into The World Figure Sport Hall of Fame in Lake Placid, NY, where a unique trophy is named for his mother, Suzanne Shelley Clark, who knew Tonya, avd who had passed away tragically, during covid.

Shepherd has performed with Tonya Harding over the years, training their triple axels, and performing in shows together. 

Shepherd is believed to have skated more figures at a world level, in ISU and in WFS events, than any skater in figure skating's history, due to having a career spanning over half a century.

Mr Clark is an entrepreneur in and outside of skating, an artist, and a published writer, who's received two honorary doctorates. He founded a unique art movement in which figure skating takes center stage ..... and a narrative driving this movement with a theme, entitled, "The Other Miracle On Ice". 

 "Anna Bradshaw is originally from Los Angeles and began skating at 8 years old. She had previously trained in track and field, gymnastics, and trained in RAD-style ballet for 10 years while skating. Anna was a competitive figure skater for 15+ years, competing regionally and sectionally for the Southwest Pacific Region under notable coaches such as Charlene Wong, Randy Gardner, Cindy Stuart, and the Kuchiki family. She is a 2x Gold Medalist in Moves in the Field and Freestyle Skating, and is working toward her third Gold in Ice Dance. 

Anna joined Disney on Ice in 2015, touring the world as a lead specialty performer in aerial silks and web. During her time with Disney she became knowledgeable in other aerial apparatuses, adagio pair skills, and character work. She has had the pleasure of performing for numerous PR events in the U.S., Singapore, and Australia, including Dancing on Ice in the UK. 

In May of 2025 Anna retired from Disney and now coaches at Mt. View as a spin specialist and acting Assistant Skating Director for Mt. View Skating Academy. She loves innovative choreography, bringing unique stories to the ice, and also helping skaters develop their jumping skills. Her desire as a coach is to bring a mental and physical positivity to the sport, encouraging passion and perseverance to achieve skaters’ goals. 

In June of 2022, Anna graduating magna cum laude from Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, receiving her Masters Degree in English Literature. When not on the ice, she is an essay advisor for Avalon College Advising, coaching students in their college admissions essays. She will be pursuing her PhD in Literature and War Studies beginning in the Fall of 2027." 

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 "Julia was born and raised in Minnesota, where she began skating at the age of 3. Believing every kid in Minnesota should know how to skate, her parents signed her up for Learn to Skate classes, thinking she might eventually play hockey. Instead, she fell in love with figure skating, and it has been a huge part of her life ever since. Growing up, she explored various skating disciplines, participating in state and regional competitions and performing in theatrical productions through National Showcase and Theatre On Ice. Her passion for performance led her to pursue professional show skating in her favorite place, Sun Valley, Idaho! 

Julia is a 5x USFS Gold Medalist in Singles, Skating Skills, Partnered Pattern Dance, Partnered Free Dance and Solo Free Dance. She is also a 2x Minnesota State Medalist and a National Qualifier in Ice Dance. She spent 5 summer seasons performing with Sun Valley On Ice as an ensemble skater, a featured soloist in select shows and a fire assistant to Ashley Clark. Julia continues to perform and embrace wherever skating takes her. Now based in Boise, Idaho, she coaches part-time and strives to instill confidence, determination and joy in her students.

In 2025, Julia graduated summa cum laude from Boise State University with a Bachelor of Science in Political Science and minors in Political Communication and Global Studies. Outside of skating and coaching, she works in the Idaho Legislature and on political campaigns. She plans to attend Northeastern University next fall to pursue graduate studies in Public Administration, before returning to Boise to continue coaching and serving her community."

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