SKATERS’ TALENTS REACH FAR BEYOND THOSE ON THE ICE


DANA MARIE NUZZO, 32 SAYREVILLE, N.J.


SC OF BRIDGEWATER, N.J. ADULT PRE-BRONZE


“Sport


plus music equals Me, Completed.” That’s how Dana Marie Nuzzo sees herself.


Nuzzo


is a unique combination of artist and athlete. She is a classically trained fl utist and soprano vocalist. A former roller skater, she has spent


much of the last two years working on her ice skating craft. “Musical knowledge defi nitely helps


with skating,” said Nuzzo, a neurology practice transcriptionist. “My family has a vast musical background.” Although she struggled early on with some of the basic elements, Nuz- zo’s skating, as well as her confi dence, has evolved to the point where she now helps fellow adult skaters with their skills. “Now I have footwork, jump combi-


nations, much better spirals and spins,” Nuzzo said. “Performing diffi cult moves while portraying the music recycles ner- vous butterfl ies into pure joy, which is an excitement unlike any other. “On public sessions I’m approached


by other adult skaters. It’s truly rewarding when they ask for advice and I can en- courage them.” Nuzzo practices fi ve to seven hours a


week and counts herself blessed to have the talent and positive infl uence of coach Gale Pilla. Nuzzo, who was inspired to begin


skating after watching Olympic champi- on Katarina Witt perform Carmen at the 1988 Olympic Games, is working to pass the pre-bronze moves and free skate, and plans to one day compete at the U.S. Adult Championships.


48 NOVEMBER 2012


THOMAS HARRISON, 47 MILLSBORO, DEL.


ADULT BRONZE FREE SKATE As a U.S.


Airways fl ight attendant, Thomas Harrison was reintroduced to skating by a coworker when he was in his 20s. “He told me about a rink in Harrington, Del., Harrison recalled. “I had no clue where it was. I walked in and skated a bit, and the former skating director off ered me a job.” That improbable encounter has led


to a lifetime of fun and achievement on the ice for Harrison. He’s been coaching for 11 years,


teaching learn-to-skate through pre-ju- venile classes. “Watching my students reach new


levels is gratifying,” said Harrison, who also


assists with show choreography


for the two annual Bay Country FSC ice shows.


Harrison has also played a variety of


characters in the shows and worn what he calls “bizarre” costumes, including San- ta, Prince Charming, Jack of Hearts, Scar from The Lion King, Gaston from Beauty and the Beast and the Genie from Aladdin. “I have taken some really funny falls


preparing for these shows,” Harrison said. “Skating is a great way to have fun except when it hurts!” He trains an average of two hours a


week, and more when he has time. Harri- son enjoys a strong working relationship with his coach, Jerry Santoferrara, the current skating director. “We have become very good friends,”


Harrison said. “I now know I can push my- self further than I thought I could.” Harrison’s involvement with skating


extends beyond time on the ice, includ- ing serving as vice president of his club and assisting with test sessions.


Tim David


wears many hats — competitor, performer, organizer and manager. “Skating


gives me purpose on and off ice,” David said. “It’s on my mind 90 percent of the time.” David trains three times a week and doubles that commitment when a com- petition is around the corner. He uses visualization for tests and events, with a motivational music playlist to help make performances become second nature. His coaches over the years have included Doug Webster, Karen Kwan, Derrick Del- more, Doug Mattis and Nicole Bobek. “At the 2012 U.S. Adult Champion-


ships, I was in full control but unfortu- nately felt too comfortable and bent my ankle on a take-off ,” said David, who fi n- ished fi fth. As a youth skater, David studied dance


and performed several times a year. “Learning to manage nerves con-


ditioned me for skating and being on stage,” he said. His perseverance paid off in 1999 and 2000 with Summer Conservatory scholar- ships from New Jersey’s State Theatre, the Paper Mill Playhouse. There, he took inten- sive voice, theatre and dance training. David, who is an executive assistant


at a private school, is the creator of www. OneStepCloserNYC.org. He codirects an annual benefi t ice show with partner Bri- an Mancuso. One Step Closer benefi ts the AIDS Resource Foundation for Children, providing housing, education, food and medicine to newborn infants and children. Inaugural headliners included Oksana Bai- ul, Tai Babilonia, Elaine Zayak and Lucinda Ruh.


This past skating season, David rep-


resented Melissa Bulanhagui and Chris- topher Caluza at the Philippine nationals and other competitions. Both won senior titles and David was thrilled with his rinkside view.


BAY COUNTRY FSC


TIM DAVID, 32 NEW YORK, N.Y.


NORTH JERSEY FSC ADULT SILVER


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