Ice skating is in 19-year-old Suzanne Basharaheil’s blood. Her cousin Glenn Armstrong is a former two-time national champion and her mother, Shelia Tikhov, is a former artist champion and currently an ice skating coach at Castle Ice Arena in Renton.
But for Basharaheil blades came after horse shoes growing up in Kirkland.
“My mom is such an inspiring skater to watch but she didn’t want to push it on me,” said Basharaheil, whose first love was horse riding competitions.
She discovered her love for ice skating at the age of 12 and her mother began coaching her. The time constraints of practicing and competing forced Basharaheil to leave Kirkland public schools after the fifth grade. But the increased focus made it possible for Basharaheil to graduate from high school by age 15.
Her natural talent took over on the rink as she was the Preliminary Northwest Regional Champion in 2004, Juvenile Northwest Regional Champion in 2006 and in 2007 she followed in her mother’s footsteps to become the Novice Junior/Senior Artistic Champion. But because she began skating at a late age, the Olympics were out of reach.
“I think everyone has those dreams,” said Basharaheil. “But I don’t think I would go back to competing.”
She also served as a junior coach, teaching young children how to skate.
Now, Basharaheil has taken the love she has for the artistry of skating and is a part of Disney on Ice.
“My mom and the coaches with Disney urged me to try it,” said Basharaheil. “I just gave it a shot and sent in my Youtube link and got hired.”
Basharaheil started last summer and said that she has enjoyed the traveling and her new family.
“It has taught me a lot of responsibility,” said Basharaheil, who spoke to the Reporter from Kennewick, Wash. “I used to compete here so it brings back some memories. It is an enlightening experience. It is really exciting to meet new people and see new cities.”
In the show, Basharaheil plays Fawn in the “Worlds of Fantasia” production and said that her character is not very far from her own personality.
“She is very rambunctious,” said Basharaheil. “We have a lot in common with our characters.”
She said that the crowd is made up of young and old with a lot of teenagers. But there is one section of the audience that she likes the most: “I love seeing the children cause they really enjoy the show. It is fun to perform for thousands of people who don’t know you and aren’t judges.”
Basharaheil said that there is one part to being on the road that she is not too fond of: “One tough part is to pack all my clothes into two suit cases.”
The production will be at the Comcast Arena in Everett Nov. 5-8 and at the ShoWare Center in Kent Nov. 11-15.
Preparing for a tour is not quite as grueling as a competition. Rehearsals can take anywhere from one to six weeks.
Basharaheil said that she would like to stay with the company and move up in the ranks. Performing in a pairs routine is her goal. But the teenager said that she has aspirations of going back to school.
“I like to read legal books and would like to study law at some point,” said Basharaheil.
But for now her life is rooted in suitcases and fairytales.
For more information on the Disney on Ice production go to www.disneyonice.com or for tickets call the ShoWare Center at 253-856-6999 or the Comcast Arena at 866-332-8499.
