Class of 2015: Professional
Sarah Kawahara, known for her innovative and artistic choreographic touch, enters the Skate Canada Hall of Fame in the Professional category.
During her own skating career, Kawahara trained under Osborne Colson, the legendary Canadian coach who worked with several Canadian greats including Barbara Ann Scott, Donald Jackson and nine-time Canadian champion Patrick Chan.
Throughout her illustrious career, which also saw her take a longtime leading role with the Ice Capades, the world-renowned choreographer has created memorable programs and choreographed ice shows for countless skaters, including Toller Cranston, Elvis Stojko, Scott Hamilton, Michelle Kwan, Kristi Yamaguchi, Dorothy Hamill, Peggy Fleming and John Curry, Ekaterina Gordeeva and Sergei Grinkov and Oksana Baiul.
In 1997, Kawahara earned the Best Choreography Emmy Award for Scott Hamilton Upside Down. She added a second Emmy in 2002 for the spectacular Opening Ceremonies for the 2002 Olympic Winter Games. She has also done choreography work for several ice shows including Stars On Ice, Ice Capades, Holiday On Ice and Disney on Ice, as well as for the hit movie Blades of Glory.
