Local Skater Laces Up for Disney on Ice

Meet Kylee Nielsen:

AGE YOU BEGAN SKATING/PERFORMING: 7

WHY DID YOU START SKATING/PERFORMING? I started skating because I
thought it was fun and at the young age of 7 you don’t know any better. I
wanted to be different; I wanted my own passion and dream to follow.

PERFORMANCE/SKATING ACHIEVEMENTS (Competitions/awards/tests):
I have received my Gold Medal in Moves in the Field, Ice Dancing and
Freestyle. I have been a competitive figure skater for 13 years and my most
awarding achievement was taking first place at State Games of America in
2005.

LIST YOUR INTERESTS/HOBBIES/FAVORITE PASTIME: I love spending
time with my family at our cabin in the mountains. I enjoy riding four-
wheelers, snowmobiling and taking long hikes. Also, drowning myself in a
good book is always relaxing.

ROLE MODEL(S): My family is my role model. My Mom, Dad and
brother have impacted me and made me the woman I am today.

TOUGHEST CHALLENGE (During your performance career): The
toughest challenge I came across was deciding between skating and college. I
could not keep up with my competitive schedule and the classes I was taking.
It was hard to decide when to grow when I wanted to keep my passion alive.
Disney has given me this opportunity to perform, skate, tour and keep up
with school.

PERSONAL AND PROFESSIONAL GOALS: A personal goal of mine is
to graduate from college in a career that I love (which is still undeclared).
Also, becoming a great skating coach, just like the ones I had.

DO YOU HAVE ANY SUPERSTITIONS OR PRE-PERFORMANCE RITUALS?
A funny ritual I have is on competition days I would eat an egg bagel
sandwich for breakfast; it seemed to do the trick every time. Here on tour I
consistently stay stocked up on E-mergency.

WHAT’S THE ONE THING A LOT OF PEOPLE DON’T KNOW ABOUT YOU?
People might not know that I really enjoy running. Even with a busy
skating schedule I would run at least 5 miles a day and enter 5k, 10k, 1/2
marathons and marathon races with my mom.

WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE MEMORY ON OR OFF THE ICE? My favorite memory
on the ice is taking family trips to Sun Valley, ID. They have an indoor and
outdoor skating rink and I really enjoy going and skating with my family
there.

IF YOU COULD BE A PROFESSIONAL ATHLETE IN ANY OTHER SPORT, WHAT
WOULD IT BE AND WHY? I would love to be a professional athlete in
volleyball. I always loved to play volleyball in gym class and thought it was
such a fun sport. It wouldn’t be much of a change because volleyball players
still get to wear spandex.

WHAT IS YOUR MOST PRIZED POSSESSION? My most prized
possession would be my medals I have received throughout skating. I have
many medals and trophies that I cherish because they show my love and
dedication to skating.

WHAT DOES THE FUTURE HOLD FOR YOU? I am not sure what my
future holds for me, but I can tell you this, I am grasping onto every
opportunity I get because with this life I want no regrets.

IS THERE A PARTICULAR CAUSE THAT YOU SUPPORT? WHY? I
support Breast Cancer awareness and run the “Breast Cancer Awareness 5k”
every year in Salt Lake City with my mom.

ARE YOU A MEMBER OF ANY PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS,
ORGANIZATIONS, FRATERNITIES/SORORITIES, ETC.? I am a member of
the Cottonwood Heights Figure Skating Club and have been my whole skating
career.

DO YOU HAVE ANY SPECIAL SKILLS? I love to bake cookies and I am
known for my famous chocolate chip cookies that always seem to stay moist
with a family secret between me and my grandpa.

LIFE ON THE ROAD

WHAT IS IT LIKE TO LIVE ON THE ROAD? Living on the road is a lot of
fun! I have an opportunity of a lifetime to see cities that I never thought I
would see and to perform in front of thousands of fans.

WHILE ON TOUR, WHAT IS YOUR FAVORITE THING TO DO DURING YOUR
FREE TIME? I love to spend time in each city and visit as much as I can. I
try to find at least one thing to do to get me out of the hotel room.

HOW DO YOU KEEP FIT? I enjoy doing yoga and going for a run
outside. When the weather is bad I use the hotel gym which works just fine.

WHAT DO YOU DO FOR FUN? I enjoy spending a full day out in a
different city with friends here on tour capturing memorable moments and
laughter. Sounds cheesy, but very true.

WHAT ARE YOUR TIPS FOR FREQUENT TRAVELERS? Tip for frequent
travelers is to pack light. Yes, I travel with two suitcases, but hey… this is my
closet for a full year. Also, I don’t unpack my bags ever because that is just
asking to lose something.

WHAT ITEM(S) CAN’T YOU LIVE WITHOUT ON THE ROAD? I cannot
live without my blanket and my computer. Typical.

WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED BY BEING ON THE ROAD? I have learned
to live on my own. Handling my own money, flights to see family, hotels,
food, shopping and balancing life out for all my needs.

BEING A PERFORMER

WHAT DO YOU ENJOY ABOUT PERFORMING? I enjoy the rush of
excitement I get out on the ice. I love that a simple smile or wave can make a
fan’s day.

HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE YOUR SKATING/PERFORMANCE STYLE?
I enjoy skating for audiences and telling stories on the ice.

WHAT DO YOU WANT THE AUDIENCE TO GET FROM YOUR
PERFORMANCE? The energy I throw out on the ice I want it right back
because if they are having fun then I can guarantee you that I am as well.

WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO KIDS WHO HAVE A DREAM/DESIRE
TO DO SOMETHING LIKE SKATING/PERFORMING? Always follow your
dreams and never give up because in the end your dreams will come true
with how much passion you put into it.

IF YOU WEREN’T PERFORMING, WHAT MIGHT YOU BE DOING FOR A
LIVING? I would be a full-time college student at a local university,
working at my skating rink as a coach.

FELD ENTERTAINMENT

WHAT FELD PRODUCTION ARE YOU CURRENTLY PERFORMING IN? Disney
On Ice presents Disney•Pixar’s Toy Story 3

WHAT YEAR DID YOU JOIN FELD ENTERTAINMENT? 2010

HOW DID YOU AUDITION? I sent in an audition tape with a resume
and photos.

WHAT DID YOU DO PRIOR TO JOINING FELD ENTERTAINMENT? I was
a competitive figure skater while attending college classes at a local
university.

WHAT COUNTRIES HAVE YOU PERFORMED IN WHILE TRAVELING WITH
FELD ENTERTAINMENT? United States

HOMETOWN INFORMATION

WHERE DID YOU GROW UP? Sandy, UT

WHAT MAJOR CITY IS IT NEAR? Salt Lake City

HOMETOWN CLUB WHERE YOU TRAINED: Cottonwood Heights
Figure Skating Club

WHO WAS YOUR COACH? Suzanne Martinsson

WHAT HIGH SCHOOL/COLLEGE DID YOU ATTEND, AND IF APPLICABLE,
WHAT DEGREE DID YOU RECEIVE? Brighton High School/Utah State
University