A Jefferson City ice skater will be featured through Sunday in the Disney on Ice production of "Dare to Dream" in St. Louis.
Emily Pestka, a 19-year-old Helias High School graduate, skates in the program's ensemble. She began skating when she was 8 years old.
"My mom took me to see the Disney movie 'Ice Princess,' and afterwards, I talked so much about how awesome I thought ice skating was, so my mom decided to sign me up for lessons," she said.
Pestka has excelled in several competitions, many at Jefferson City's Washington Park Ice Arena. During her career she has met professional skaters such Adam Blake, Anna Cobb and Ashley Wyatt.
"My biggest challenge has been balancing my skating life with my school life," she said. "Oftentimes, this took sacrifice, but landing a job with Disney on Ice has made it all worth it.
"I would like to have a principal role in the future with Disney and gain pairs experience. I would also like to establish myself as a choreographer. I would especially like to be a part of the Alvin Ailey Dance Theater. The choreography is so mindful and beautiful; it is breathtaking to watch."
Pestka is one of six cast members fresh out of high school, which she said makes things easier as they tour.
"We spent two weeks rehearsing in Illinois and then started shows in mid-August," she said. "We play a different city every weekend, primarily hitting the major cities on the East Coast. We'll go through May, and it's been such a neat experience because it's a perfect time in my life to do this."
Outside of her skating career, Pestka would like to get a college education and major in psychology or dietetics. She'd also like to become fluent in Spanish and possibly French.
However, the ice is where Pestka loves to be.
"Performing gives me such a rush of emotions," she said. "Feeling the music and the energy of the crowd gives me so much joy and makes me feel at home. My performance style is mainly graceful and poised, with emotionally charged movements. However, I do enjoy a sassy, funky program every once in a while."
Pestka said she wants the audience to get the same "warm, fuzzy feeling" she gets when she watches a Disney on Ice performance.
"If someone wants to be a performer, whether in skating or another discipline, I suggest they devote themselves to developing their own unique style," she said.
All St. Louis performances of "Dare to Dream" will be at the Scottrade Center starting with a show at 7 p.m. today. Friday's shows are at 10:30 a.m. and 7 p.m. Saturday's shows are 11 a.m., 3 p.m. and 7 p.m.; and Sunday's shows are at noon and 4 p.m. Tickets are available online at ticketmaster.com.