'Disney on Ice' performer talks about living her dream

By Alice Gerard

Senior Contributing Writer

Julia Choi says that being a skater with “Disney on Ice” is giving her a chance to live her childhood dream of performing in skating shows.

She is coming to Buffalo to perform with the show, titled “Disney on Ice Presents Into the Magic,” from Jan. 23-26 at KeyBank Center.

“I still remember my first days at the studio and being show the ropes and the ice and everything,” Choi said. “It was the most surreal. I thought that I was dreaming. Even after a few seasons, it still feels like I’ve just started. I’m surrounded by such wonderful people. I have such supportive friends and cast and crew. It feels like we are a team bringing these stories to life.

“This is my third year with ‘Disney on Ice,’ and I’m into the magic. I started skating when I was just shy of 5. It was because my childhood best friend was a couple of years older than me and so she was figure skating. I would go to her classes. I was basically waiting until my mom said I was old enough to be able to join her on the ice. I haven’t really gotten off since then.

“I remember growing up and going to ‘Disney on Ice’ shows. There’s something for everyone on our show. We have some of the classic stories, like ‘Cinderella’ and ‘Beauty and the Beast,’ and we also have more modern stories, like ‘Moana’ and ‘Frozen.’ To be a part of an entire family and enjoying different stories that resonate with them is really cool. I think that’s the best part, especially being able to travel and bring the magic to them is really cool.”

And now, Choi, a 2022 graduate of Northeastern University in Boston, said she is excited to be part of bringing the magic to audiences.

“I’m lucky enough to portray Moana in our show, ‘Disney on Ice Presents Into the Magic,’ ” she said. “On top of that, I’m also another ensemble member, as well. I’m a cupcake in ‘Be Our Guest’ from the ‘Beauty and the Beast’ segment. I’m also one of the ball guests in Cinderella’s ball, which I think is one of my most favorite parts of the show. It looks super magical. But I also get to portray the role of Moana, as she embarks to save her island. It’s honestly hard to describe how cool that is. I sometimes struggle with finding the words because I still can’t believe it.”

Choi said she really enjoys interacting with audiences during the shows, as well as watching the reactions of children to the performance.

“I love when kids dress up,” Choi said. “Sometimes, the kids will try to mimic the choreography, which I think is really cute. I am always looking into the audience because I feel making that intimate eye contact with any audience member is really special. I feel there’s a mutual understanding of a beautiful moment for the families, but also a privilege for me to be able to help be a vessel of that to them and of that magic. It’s just like a bond, I think. The audiences and the audiences’ energy always keep us going and motivate us to be the best performers that we can.”

Julia Choi is one of the stars appearing in “Disney on Ice” at KeyBank Center in Buffalo. (Images courtesy of Feld Entertainment/PinckneyHugoGroup)

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Choi acknowledged that, as someone who was trained since the age of 5 to be a competitive figure skater, she had to learn new skills as a ‘Disney on Ice’ performer. One of these new skills is portraying a character as an actor.

“The skating is something we’ve trained for,” she said. “It's a really unique sport because of the feeling of gliding on the ice and the wind on your hair. I don’t think that could really be emulated by many other things. It’s a really fun time.

“The acting was a cool experience with Moana, in particular. She is not the most refined Disney princess. She’s really stubborn, and she is funny and curious. So, I feel like I also resonated with some of those things.

“For me, to be able to practice and to feel what expressions bright that to life in the best way. It’s constantly evolving and I’m constantly working on it. It is really fun. It’s a new skill. My friends, after the shows, say, ‘Julia, your acting! It’s so good! We’ve never seen you do that before!’ ”

Another new skill that Choi had to develop was to perform her role in different languages, including Portuguese, Spanish and French.

“I find it a really cool challenge to be able to try and learn dialog and the songs in another language,” Choi said. “We were in South America. We had done the shows in Portuguese and in Spanish. We’ve also been to Quebec a couple of times that I’ve been on the show. We’ve actually just finished in Quebec. That is interesting because it is a lot of work, but it is really super rewarding when I feel like I can deliver the same thing to people who don’t speak the same language as me. They pay the same amount to be able to have these stories brought to them. I have to do my due diligence to try and make sure that I can deliver that in the best way I can.”

When asked about her hopes for the future, Choi said she would like to push her limits and challenge her fears. She said she loves what she is doing and wants to continue as long as possible.

“I really adore the show that we’re on,” Choi said. “Every year, they open and close a different show. And so, I hope to be able to continue skating and to stay on the show as long as it’s open, and to be able to experience a new show and to develop new skills. Some shows have different aerialists, which, when I first joined Disney, I didn’t think I would ever say I would do. I do have a fear of heights to a small degree. But seeing some of my colleagues being able to do some of these aerial routines on ice is just really cool. So, I’d love to be able to experience that. But, overall, I think it’s just being able to enjoy doing this while I can.”

“Disney on Ice” images courtesy of Feld Entertainment/PinckneyHugoGroup

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Choi has a few suggestions for children who are interested in following her path.

“I would say to work hard and not to give up,” Choi said. “Things don’t come easy. Skating is definitely not the most innate sport. You’re literally learning how to walk on a different surface. Be patient, but be persistent, and really appreciate what the sport gives you, which is the feeling of the wind in your hair. And to be able to do something that combines artistry and athleticism. And to have fun. With any sport, it can be quite an intense environment, but just to remember why you love the sport in the first place. That’s what will keep them there.”

When Choi isn’t performing in shows, her favorite activities include exploring the cities that she is visiting, journaling, cooking, crocheting and taking classes. She is currently learning Korean and is taking a class in computer science. Some of her favorite cities to visit, she said, include Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; San Jose, California; and Savannah, Georgia. She said she also enjoys cuddling with her two rescue dogs.

Cuddle time with her dogs is a special treat. “Because we travel, I see (the dogs) if my family comes to visit or if I’m able to go home,” Choi said. “We are on the road, but I do FaceTime with my parents often to see them. I have two dogs and (my family was) able to come down for Christmas, so I was able to get some much-needed cuddle time with them, which was really fun.”

Choi said she is looking forward to coming to Buffalo.

“I have a good friend from college in Buffalo,” she said. “I’ve already messaged her and she’s going to send me her recommendations. I’m excited. I love going to cities that my friends grew up in. I get to see a taste of them that I wasn’t able to see in college. It is cold, so I’m preparing for that.”

She suggested people come and see what “Disney on Ice” is all about.

“I would just say to go to Disneyonice.com to see what times work best for families,” Choi said. “We’re playing from the 23rd to the 26th at the KeyBank Center in Buffalo. It’s a really wonderful, well-balanced show. We love being able to be there and perform for you all. So, I highly recommend everyone come check it out.”