Our Team
Emily Zhu
Co-Founder, President
Emily Zhu is a student at Winston Churchill High School. She started skating at age 6. Currently, she is participating in Junior level synchronized skating competitions. She has competed nationally and looks forward to representing Team USA at international competitions. She has won numerous medals at the National Solo Dance Series and Nationals Synchronized Skating Championships. She grew up in the skating community and cofounded Rise On Ice to contribute back.
Arya Chinnaswamy
Co-Founder, President
Arya Chinnaswamy is a student at Winston Churchill Highschool who started skating at age 4. She is currently competing for synchronized skating on a Junior level team. She has earned many medals through synchronized skating and freestyle competitions, her most memorable being placing 4th in the 2020 Synchronized Skating National Championships. She values her skating community and aims to make it more inclusive and accessible for all skaters.
Esther Yi
Social Media
Esther is a student at Poolesville High School. Ever since she started skating at age six, she has been doing ice dance and synchronized skating. She is currently on the Novice team and is a bronze and pewter medalist at Nationals.
Grace Ding
Website Management
Grace Ding is a student at Holton-Arms School. She placed 4th at the 2020 Synchronized Skating National Championships and now skates individually. She is currently a dual athlete, rowing crew in the spring and figure skating year-round.
Delaney Darnes
Events
Delaney Darnes is a student at North Point High School. She is currently competing for synchronized skating and solo ice dance at the Novice level. She loves to skate and has been for 11 years. She placed 4th in the 2020 Synchronized Skating National Championships and has qualified for the national solo dance final twice 2021 and 2022.
Olivia O’Connor
Blog Manager
Olivia is a student at Wootton High School. She started skating at 8 years old and is currently competing in synchronized skating at the junior level. She has previously competed at nationals, and looks forward to upcoming seasons.
Sophia Liu
Sophia is a student at Poolesville High School. She has been skating for 10 years, and her favorite skating move is a double salchow! She currently competes for Team USA in synchronized skating.
Olivia Yao
Olivia Yao is a student at Poolesville High School. She started skating at six years old and has competed in synchronized skating for 9 years. She currently skates for Team USA on DC Edge's junior level synchronized skating team.
College Advisors
Angie Chen
Co-Founder, Advisor
Angie is a student at Winston Churchill high School. She is currently competing synchronized skating at the junior level. She has been skating for 8 years and is looking forward to skating for many years to come.
Tina Li
Advisor
Tina Li is a student at Walter Johnson High School. She competes in synchronized skating at the Junior level and in shadow dance at the Gold-International level. She has represented Team USA in Switzerland, England, and France these past two seasons and placed 1st in the 2023 Britannia Cup.
Interested in joining us?
Are you passionate about figure skating? Do you wish it were more accessible? Are you interested in social justice?
At Rise on Ice, we’re committed to making figure skating a sport for everyone. If you’re interested in helping us make that happen, fill out this form!