Bridgewater Skater Performs At Rockefeller Center In Ice Show

Press release from Mount Saint Mary Academy:

Jan. 17, 2021

On Tuesday, January 12, Mount Saint Mary Academy junior, Cassandra Cavuoto of Bridgewater, demonstrated her figure skating skills during an evening performance at the iconic Rockefeller Center during the first-ever "Rock on Rock!" show which was live-streamed on YouTube.

“I became involved in figure skating at the age of four years old, she said. “My parents exposed me to gymnastics, ballet, swimming, soccer, and piano lessons. But, from the first day I stepped on the ice during a public skating session with my mom, I fell in love with skating. I love my sport. It has become my passion over the years.”

In 2015, Cassandra began working with her three current coaches -- accomplished professional athletes who have taught her to balance a busy, year-round athletic schedule, including hours of ice time, off-ice training, core training, and ballet, and yet remain grounded.

Her coaches are Sinead Kerr-Marshall, a two-time Olympian, European Bronze medalist, and seven-time National Dance Champion for Great Britain. Andrew Naylor, her jump coach, is a six-time British national pair skater who competed in the 1988 Winter Olympics in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, Figure Skating Championships in 1987 and 1989, and 1987 World Championships. Grant Marshall, a two-time Stanley Cup winner in the NHL, has been coaching Cassandra with on-ice and off-ice training.

Like many sports, figure skating was impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic which cancelled the 2020 competitive season for Cassandra.

“We were not allowed to practice in skating rinks, which was heartbreaking. The best we could do for the few months of the pandemic was off-ice training virtually with our coaches,” she shared. “Thankfully, we could get back into the rinks in June, but space and timing were minimal.”

“Miki Shimada, a New York figure skating coach, recognized with COVID-19 the inability for skaters to access the ice for many months. Skaters came back to the ice in the summer of 2020 to resume training but still lost the ability to compete and perform in shows. She was behind the idea of the first official Rock on Rock! Ice Show and she invited professional coaching colleagues to ask their students to unite in this special venue with an opportunity for skaters to perform,” explained Cassandra.

She noted that skaters from a variety of backgrounds (different skating levels and ages) were invited to perform. Some were solo performers, others were ice dance teams and pair teams, and mini-groups. The number of performers were limited to adhere to check-in and safety procedures with COVID-19 even though the performance was outdoors.

“Miki did a fantastic job of pulling this show together in only a few weeks. The weather was beautiful, the setting was gorgeous, and the air was electric. The excitement was uplifting not only for skaters but our coaches, parents, families, friends, and spectators. Miki intended to give a spotlight to skaters who are continuing to work hard despite the limitations of COVID-19, but she lifted so many others in a time when some joy and fun is much needed,” said Cassandra.

“Performing at Rockefeller Center is a once in a lifetime opportunity. It is typically a venue where only elite professional figure skaters and Olympians get invited to perform. I am honored I had the opportunity to perform in this show,” she added. “There is always a bit of performance anxiety, whether in a show or competition or taking a skating test. Still, when I had stepped on the ice at the Rock, I told myself to enjoy this moment in time, and as the music started, I let go and lost myself in the experience.”

“It was awesome, and I will remember it always! To have it streamed so all my family and friends could watch was the icing on the cake,” she noted.

Cassandra recognized her figure skating club, the Northern New Jersey Figure Skating Club, which, she said, “supports a skater's true love of the sport from beginner to advanced or recreational to competitive skaters.”

“They have provided funding support and the hard work of all skaters in the club. It is quite motivational to know they are behind all that we strive to achieve as skaters and in our life,” she noted.

Cassandra has participated as a competitive ladies’ freestyle medalist in local, state, regional, and national competitions since she was five years old. She has competed in two North Atlantic Regional US Figure Skating Championships and the 2019 and 2020 Excel National Festival. She is an accomplished US Figure Skating Association (USFSA) Gold Medalist in Moves in the Field, Junior Ladies Freestyle Competitor, and Pre-Gold Patterned Dance level. She is actively training on completing requirements for the US Figure Skating Association (USFSA), earning Gold Medals in Senior Ladies Freestyle and Gold Patterned Dance recognized as a USFSA triple gold medalist. She is actively training to compete as a third-time competitor in the 3rd annual 2021 National Excel Festival. Cassandra has demonstrated her skills at shows in the New Jersey/New York area with her figure skating clubs.

“Figure skating requires technical, artistic, and athletic capabilities and has taught me a great deal about dedication, commitment, and focus,” said Cassandra. “I have learned about training and caring for my health and my body. Skating has given me confidence in everything I do, including my schoolwork, oral presentations, and interacting with teachers, classmates, coaches, judges, and general people. I love to practice on the ice and enjoy winning in competitions. It teaches you about courage and bravery with every step you take, whether it be one blade at a time on a block of ice or with a life experience. I love most when I step on the ice, whether it be gliding, jumping, or spinning, is the feeling of speed and cool air on my face, the wind blowing in my hair, and the feeling of flying.”

She continued, “From the moment I stepped on the ice for the first time, skating was all about jumping. I would spend the majority of my time at practice perfecting jumps. To perfect a jump requires a lot of practice, dedication, technical and athletic ability, and taking off and landing a jump properly. I feel jumping is the cornerstone of figure skating and the most exciting part of a skater’s program when you watch it. Shows are fun because there is less pressure on the performance than when you are being judged.”

“Skating will always be a part of my life. I hope to skate for a college team if the opportunity is available and maybe even coach someday in some capacity,” said Cassandra.

This press release was produced by Mount Saint Mary Academy. The views expressed here are the author's own.