| Our Coaches and Our Training |
Now in our third full competition season, we train year-round following a progressive
cycle. In addition to training on the ice, our training as juvenile ice dancers includes classical
ballet, ballroom dance, high intensity calisthenics and weight lifting. Gold's Gym in Bellmore,
New York recently became our official gym, sponsoring our development with their donation of
gym membership.
From January to May we focus on develop our strength and prepare for the following
competition season. We select music and develop our new free dance, learning required
compulsory dances and refining new and different skating elements. Or competition season
starts in early June and ends in early to mid December. It's the most intensive training period
for us culminating with the U.S. Junior Figure Skating Championships in December. During
these months we work on maintaining strength, power, aerobic and anaerobic conditioning
while we refine our programs and meeting the demands of frequent competition.
Regardless of the time of year, our days are full. We absolutely love training both on the difficult
days and on the days when things come more easily. When we master something we've
struggled on for months, the feeling is indescribable.
cycle. In addition to training on the ice, our training as juvenile ice dancers includes classical
ballet, ballroom dance, high intensity calisthenics and weight lifting. Gold's Gym in Bellmore,
New York recently became our official gym, sponsoring our development with their donation of
gym membership.
From January to May we focus on develop our strength and prepare for the following
competition season. We select music and develop our new free dance, learning required
compulsory dances and refining new and different skating elements. Or competition season
starts in early June and ends in early to mid December. It's the most intensive training period
for us culminating with the U.S. Junior Figure Skating Championships in December. During
these months we work on maintaining strength, power, aerobic and anaerobic conditioning
while we refine our programs and meeting the demands of frequent competition.
Regardless of the time of year, our days are full. We absolutely love training both on the difficult
days and on the days when things come more easily. When we master something we've
struggled on for months, the feeling is indescribable.
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Alex Esman and Marina Koulbitskaya immigrated to the US from the former USSR
where they both earned their Bachelors Degree in Education of Physical Culture & Sport,
along with the title, Master of Sport. Their skating careers span over three decades with
the last several years dedicated to developing the next generation of elite competitive
figure skaters here in the U.S.
where they both earned their Bachelors Degree in Education of Physical Culture & Sport,
along with the title, Master of Sport. Their skating careers span over three decades with
the last several years dedicated to developing the next generation of elite competitive
figure skaters here in the U.S.
The Soviet Senior National Team. Like Marina, Alex Esman's amateur career shined. He was a member of the Ukrainian Junior and
Senior National Figure Skating Teams. Coached by legendary Natalia Dubova, Alex Esman was the Ukrainian Senior Ice Dance
Champion.
Senior National Figure Skating Teams. Coached by legendary Natalia Dubova, Alex Esman was the Ukrainian Senior Ice Dance
Champion.
As professionals, Marina and Alex skated for over a decade as lead soloists for the Moscow Ballet on Ice. Then under the
leadership of World and Olympic Coach Tatiana Tarasova, they skated for two years as principle skaters in the Russian All Stars
Company. Both were two-time members of Olympic Ice Dance Gold Medalists, Jane Torvill and Christopher Dean's World Tours and
here in the U.S., they were principle skaters for the Ice Theatre of New York.
leadership of World and Olympic Coach Tatiana Tarasova, they skated for two years as principle skaters in the Russian All Stars
Company. Both were two-time members of Olympic Ice Dance Gold Medalists, Jane Torvill and Christopher Dean's World Tours and
here in the U.S., they were principle skaters for the Ice Theatre of New York.
When Alex Esman arranged to have Evgeny Platov choreograph our 2006-2007
Season Free Dance, it was nothing short of a dream come true. At three, we were
gliding across the floor in our socks pretending we were Evgeny Platov and his partner
Pasha Grishuk. Evgeny was our early life inspiration. His talent, technical excellence
and speed are legendary. Along with his partner Pasha Grishuk, Evgeny won 3
European titles, 4 World Championships and the Olympic gold medal for ice dance in
both 1994 and 1998. This year Evgeny has continued to work with us beyond
Season Free Dance, it was nothing short of a dream come true. At three, we were
gliding across the floor in our socks pretending we were Evgeny Platov and his partner
Pasha Grishuk. Evgeny was our early life inspiration. His talent, technical excellence
and speed are legendary. Along with his partner Pasha Grishuk, Evgeny won 3
European titles, 4 World Championships and the Olympic gold medal for ice dance in
both 1994 and 1998. This year Evgeny has continued to work with us beyond
We've studied ballroom dance with Alan Krasilnikov, Irina Chernukha and now with Stephanie Falciano. Our work with
Stephanie is very important to us right now. In addition to teaching us the elements of each ballroom and Latin dance,
Stephanie helps us develop our partnering skills and connection to each piece of music we are working with during each
season. With ballroom, it's all about the details of each movement and each facial expression and what each movement
and facial expression means.
Stephanie is very important to us right now. In addition to teaching us the elements of each ballroom and Latin dance,
Stephanie helps us develop our partnering skills and connection to each piece of music we are working with during each
season. With ballroom, it's all about the details of each movement and each facial expression and what each movement
and facial expression means.
We also study classical ballet. Master of Dance, Slava Fadeyev works with us privately twice a week. Ballet training is helping us develop the core strength,
flexibility and balance needed so we bring grace to our movements on the ice and reduce the chance injury. Slava was classically trained at the Vaganova Academy. An
accomplished performer, Slava performed as a principle dancer for the Kirov Ballet for many years and has also danced with companies in France, England and here in
the U.S., with the Metropolitan Opera in NYC.
flexibility and balance needed so we bring grace to our movements on the ice and reduce the chance injury. Slava was classically trained at the Vaganova Academy. An
accomplished performer, Slava performed as a principle dancer for the Kirov Ballet for many years and has also danced with companies in France, England and here in
the U.S., with the Metropolitan Opera in NYC.
As an amateur, Marina was coached by Alexei Mishin, and Tamara and Igor Moskvin.
She was a member of the Soviet Junior and Senior National Figure Skating Teams
medaling in numerous international events. She was a two-time bronze medalist in the
Soviet National Championships in singles skating and the youngest pair skater in
She was a member of the Soviet Junior and Senior National Figure Skating Teams
medaling in numerous international events. She was a two-time bronze medalist in the
Soviet National Championships in singles skating and the youngest pair skater in
| At the 2007 US Junior Nationals with Alex Esman |
Our figure skating and ice dance coaches since September 2003, Alex Esman and
Marina Koulbitskaya have brought together and lead a team of professionals responsible
for developing all aspects of our skating and dance skills. They're on the ice with us five to
six times a week depending on the training season. Generally we are on the ice for two
hour every weekday morning. Each afternoon we either return for a second session on the
ice or have off ice training. Along with our parents, Alex Esman accompanies us to all of
our competitions.
Marina Koulbitskaya have brought together and lead a team of professionals responsible
for developing all aspects of our skating and dance skills. They're on the ice with us five to
six times a week depending on the training season. Generally we are on the ice for two
hour every weekday morning. Each afternoon we either return for a second session on the
ice or have off ice training. Along with our parents, Alex Esman accompanies us to all of
our competitions.
developing our free dance choreography. We now travel to New Jersey twice a week to train with him and his senior
teams.
teams.
| Alex Esman & Marina Koulbitskaya with Danielle and Alex Gamelin |
It's a well thought out 360 approach to our training and development as competitive ice dancers. Each one of our coaches and their commitment to our
development is deeply appreciated. It takes a lot of money to train like this and to continue training. Considerably more money than our extended family and family
friends can provide over the long haul. That's why, like many other figure skaters across the country, we must seek charitable donations from individuals, small
businesses and corporate sponsors to help us continue meeting our expenses for coaching fees, choreographers, ice time, equipment, costumes, travel and
competition. A training fund has been set up for us through the New England Amateur Figure Skating Foundation and all donations made on our behalf are
tax-deductible under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. We appreciate donations to our fund in any amount. You can make a big difference by making
whatever donation you can today.
development is deeply appreciated. It takes a lot of money to train like this and to continue training. Considerably more money than our extended family and family
friends can provide over the long haul. That's why, like many other figure skaters across the country, we must seek charitable donations from individuals, small
businesses and corporate sponsors to help us continue meeting our expenses for coaching fees, choreographers, ice time, equipment, costumes, travel and
competition. A training fund has been set up for us through the New England Amateur Figure Skating Foundation and all donations made on our behalf are
tax-deductible under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. We appreciate donations to our fund in any amount. You can make a big difference by making
whatever donation you can today.
| Raleigh, NC 2008 North Atlantic Regional Championships |