Lyrical, passionate, and poignant. Those are just three of the many adjectives to describe Jonathan Cassar’s skating, because in recent seasons he has revealed himself to be a quietly stunning presence on the American figure skating scene. Though you may not yet recognize his name, you surely know his coach’s name: Frank Carroll. Cassar moved to California in 2010 to train under Carroll, after finishing his undergraduate degree in dance at Oakland University (Michigan).
Cassar’s dance background is clear on the ice, where his soft edges and expressive hands allow the power in his programs to seem nearly effortless—and who could forget his absolutely glorious spread eagles that swoop around the rink?
Perhaps his most memorable program was his 2010-11 skate to music from Schindler’s List which, though an oft-heard selection among skaters, took on new meaning when Cassar competed with it at the 2010 U.S. Nationals.
We here at The Platinum Edge were privileged enough to be in the crowd then, and to experience the total silence that fell over the arena as he executed its intricate, sweeping choreography. It is doubtful that anyone who was there will forget that moment—or that Cassar will forget the standing ovation that followed.
The Platinum Edge 