Eight year old Maria Brant. (Contribured photo/ Westerner Park)

By rdnewsNOW staff

Dream come true

Upcoming Stars on Ice Holiday show to feature 8-year-old Maria Brant

Dec 8, 2024 | 8:01 AM

Eight-year-old Maria Brant is set to take centre stage at the upcoming Stars on Ice Holiday show at the Peavey Mart Centrium.

She’ll join figure skating champion Kaitlyn Weaver in a performance set to take place on Sunday, Dec. 22 at 4 p.m.

“I’m so excited to skate with all the other skaters,” Brant said. “This is a dream come true. I’ve been practicing a lot because I want to do my best.”

Brant learned how to skate at just three-years-old and trains regularly at the Red Deer Skating Club.

The youngster received the opportunity to skate alongside Weaver after one of her coaches Jennifer Shigematsu nominated her.

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“Maria is an incredible talent whose passion and dedication to skating are inspiring,” Shigematsu said.

“This opportunity is not just a dream come true for Maria but a proud moment for the entire Red Deer skating community. I hope everyone in our city will join us at the Peavey Mart Centrium to cheer her on and celebrate this milestone in her journey.”

Brant will join Weaver in a special performance to Believe from The Polar Express, which was choregraphed by Weaver that captures the spirit of the holiday season.

“This year in Stars on Ice Holiday, I have the privilege of skating with Maria Brant in Red Deer,” Weaver said.

“The show is built around the magic of Santa Claus, with our title piece being Believe from The Polar Express. Although the song speaks of the holiday season, the metaphor runs deeper. I love the ability to connect with young skaters with big dreams, and I think this piece will be a reminder (to Maria, to the audience, and to me!) that anything is possible, if you believe.”

There will also be plenty of other performances in the star-studded Stars on Ice Holiday show, which features legendary skaters such as Elvis Stojko, Kaetlyn Osmond, Kaitlyn Weaver & Andrew Poje, and more.