1The Gazette
/ Kaitlyn Weaver & Andrew PojeDate of Birth: April 12, 1989/ February 25, 1987
Hometown: Houston, TX / Waterloo, ON
Residence: Toronto, ON & Hackensack, NJ/ Toronto, ON &Hackensack, NJ
Height: 5’6”/6’3”
Club: Sault FSC / Kitchener–Waterloo SC
Training Site: Hackensack, New Jersey
Coach: Nikolai Morozov
Choreographers: Lori Nichol, Nikolai Morozov
For further information please contact David Baden at:
IMG
Phone: 212.774.4336
Email:
1 Kaitlyn Weaver & Andrew Poje
* Two-Time World Medalists* Two-Time Canadian Ice Dance Champions *
* Two-Time ISU Four Continents Champions * Olympic Competitors *
Career Highlights2017 - Skate Canada - 2nd
2017 - Autumn Classic International - 2nd
2017 - World Team Trophy - 4th (team)
2017 - World Championships - 4th
2017 - Four Continents Championships - 5th
2017 - Canadian Championships - 2nd
2016 - Cup of China - 2nd
2016 - Rostelecom Cup - 3rd
2016 - Team Challenge Cup - 1st (Team)
2016 - World Championships - 5th
2016 - Four Continents Championships - 3rd
2016 - Canadian Championships - 1st
2015 - Grand Prix Final - 1st
2015 - Rostelecom Cup - 1st
2015 - Skate Canada - 1st
2015 - World Championships - 3
2015 Four Continents Championships - 1
2015 Canadian Championships - 1
2014 Grand Prix Final - 1
2014 NHK Trophy - 1
2014 Skate Canada - 1
2014 Nebelhorn Trophy - 1
2014 World Championships - 2
2014 Olympic Winter Games - 7
2014 ISU World Figure Skating Championships - 2
/ 2014 Canadian Championships - 2
2013 U.S. International Classic - 2
2013 World Championships – 5
2012 World Championships – 4
2012 Four Continents - 3
2012 Canadian Championships -2
2011 Grand Prix Final -4
2011 World Figure Skating Championships -4
2011 Canadian Championships - 2
2010 ISU Final - 5
2010 Canadian Championships - 3
2010 Four Continents - 1
2009 Canadian Championships - 3
2009 Skate Canada - 3
2009 Four Continents - 5
2008 Canadian Championships - 2
2007 Canadian Championships - 3
2007 Junior Worlds - 3
Background
For the Olympic season, the elegant and emotive Canadian duo of Kaitlyn Weaver and Andrew Poje are presenting an updated version of the free dance that established them as a leading lady and leading man of ice dance. Each year, ice dancers present programs that they hope will not only win favor with judges and officials, but also capture the attention of audiences around the world. Weaver and Poje’s “Je Suis Malade” is an unforgettable, iconic program that takes viewers on an emotional journey.
After viewing the program, Dancing with the Stars pro Anna Trebunskaya said, “They have all the right ingredients: charisma, chemistry and great dynamics in their own bodies.”
No ice dance team in the world brings more life experience to their performances than Weaver and Poje, which is evident in the sense of joy and nuance with which they skate. Throughout their partnership, they have persevered through setbacks to achieve stellar results and leave an indelible imprint on the sport.
“We find the silver linings in all the difficult moments and show ourselves what we can do no matter what happens—going through adversity and showing our strength,” says Poje.
Before they go out to skate a competitive program they embrace, which calms them and lets them know they’re in it together.
Their sense of unity was sealed during their first season together when Weaver uprooted her life and moved to another country because she knew a partnership with Poje was meant to be. They won their first ISU title at the Four Continents Championships in 2010. They repeated as Four Continents Champions in 2015.
Time and again, they have won praise from professional dancers for seamlessly translating dance to the ice.DWTS and internationally renowned ballroom/Latin dancer Julian Tocker described their Argentine tango free dance from 2013–14 as: “Both were very involved, emotionally connected and on the same page. It was very clear that they were in tune with each other. You saw that constantly.”
So You Think You Can Dance all-star Paul Karmiryan, described their 2014-15free dance set to music from Four Seasons as follows: “I felt their timing was nearly flawless in their partner work. They did an amazing and beautiful performance.”
The primary goal on Weaver and Poje’s list is competing in the Olympic Winter Games for the second time. They worked tirelessly—through injuries, setbacks and disappointments—to qualify for the 2014 Games. Walking into Fisht Olympic Stadium in Sochi, Russia, Weaver and Poje were elated.
“Coming into the stadium, hearing the cheers and being surrounded by our Canadian teammates felt amazing,” said Poje. “At that moment we became true Olympians.”
“There was such incredible energy and excitement,” said Weaver. “I felt like electricity was running through my body.”
More experienced, but no less enthusiastic, Weaver and Poje hope to see what the 2018 Olympic Winter Games in PyeongChang, South Korea will bring. Ice dance has become more intensely competitive than ever and is often the focal point of the competition. They want to take to the ice and deliver performances that will further cement them in skating history.
Throughout their career, this dynamic duo have received input from some of the most innovative and inventive names in the sport. They now train with renowned coach, choreographer Nikolai Morosov, who coached 10-time Canadian Champions Shae-Lynn Bourne and Victor Kraatz to the first World Championship title ever won by a North American team. Weaver and Poje also seek out instruction from people in the dance world.
Morosov coaches in both New Jersey and Moscow, and Weaver and Poje travel with him. The time in Russia enables them extensive exposure to the arts, dance and culture, which fuels their performances.
Competitive success brings opportunities. Theyhave toured with Stars on Ice Canadaseveral times.They enjoy sharing the experience with friends from the skating world, but also use the shows to hone their performance skills and connection with the audience.
“We’re out there to get emotion and expression across to the audience so that they have a great experience and a great show,” Poje said. “We get better at performing.”
Away from the ice, Poje was tapped to do a photo shoot for Azzarenko, a men’s fashion and lifestyle magazine. The photos were shot at various locations around Detroit, including an incredible abandoned church. He wore several different styles of clothes—from casual pieces to an extravagant, modern tuxedo.
Since 2014, Weaver and Poje have been ambassadors for Right to Play, an international humanitarian organization that uses sport and play programs to improve health, develop life skills and foster peace for children and communities in some of the most disadvantaged areas of the world. They’ve made several appearances and are deeply moved by the organization’s mission.
“It’s something we believe in and feel the message is incredibly important,” said Weaver. “We speak about our experiences at the Olympics. That sets the stage to talk about how important sport is in our lives and how important it is in lives of children across the planet.
“That’s such a beautiful thing about Right to Play; they teach important life skills through sport and games.”
Mindful of a life to come after skating, both are university students, taking part in distance learning education with the University of Waterloo. Weaver is exploring public relations and media, and Poje is studying biomedical science.
The things Weaver and Poje have learned from skating have set them up to conquer whatever life sends their way.
“I’m really looking forward to seeing where we can go from here,” said Weaver. “I’m very excited to be living this adventure with Andrew.”
You can follow them on Twitter @WeaverPoje and get the latest news on their Website:
For further information please contact David Baden at:
IMG
Phone: 212.774.4336
Email: