ABOUT US
ARS Artistic Roller Skating
Ars was founded in Bogotá, Colombia, in 2009, by head coach Diana Sanchez, with a mission to promote her passion for artistic skating and develop athletes from recreational to professional levels. She has trained over 1,000 athletes of all ages, some recognized for their achievements in national and international competitions. Since its founding, the organization has organized showcases, invitationals, workshops, and social projects, bringing skating to vulnerable communities and making the sport accessible to everyone.
Breakthroughs such as participation in international competitions since 2013 and representation at the Artistic Skating World Cup in 2019 highlight ARS’ journey of excellence.
In 2023, ARS took a bold step by expanding its vision to Canada, opening a new chapter in its history. This initiative aims to inspire a new generation of skaters and build a vibrant culture of artistic skating in Canada. ARS seeks to demonstrate that this sport is not just about discipline but also a unique blend of resilience, technique, creativity, self expression growth, and community.
ARS specializes in freestyle, figures, pairs, and show skating, emphasizing a holistic and human-centered approach to training.
DREAM BIG DREAMS
Dream Big Dreams is more than a slogan—it’s the essence of ARS Artistic Roller Skating. We believe in pushing boundaries, reaching beyond what we imagine, and striving for greatness. Our philosophy is about ambition, passion, and the courage to dream bigger every day.
ARS VALUES
At ARS Artistic Roller Skating, we believe in more than just skating—we believe in shaping strong, creative, and empowered individuals. Our core values define who we are and what we stand for:
Resilience – Overcoming challenges and pushing beyond limits is at the heart of our journey. We embrace every fall as a lesson and every rise as a victory.
Community – Skating is more than an individual sport; it’s about unity, support, and growing together. We build a space where every skater feels encouraged and valued.
Self-Expression – Every move on the rink tells a story. We encourage skaters to express themselves through movement, embracing their unique style and voice.
Creativity – Innovation fuels our passion. We push the boundaries of artistic skating, blending technique with imagination to create something extraordinary.
Growth – Progress is a journey, not a destination. We focus on continuous improvement, both on and off the rink, inspiring skaters to evolve in every aspect of their lives.
At ARS, we Dream Big Dreams, and these values guide us in making those dreams a reality.
tEAM
Diana Sanchez / Bilingual Instructor in Spanish and English
Diana Sanchez, a former Colombian national champion athlete, brings over 20 years of coaching experience to her role as a Director and Head coach of ARS Canada. Originally from Colombia, Diana has dedicated her career to the development of Artistic Roller skating talent. Throughout her career as a coach, she has embedded her expertise to over 1600 athletes, ranging from beginners to international competitors
Diana’s commitment to excellence is underscored by her extensive training and qualifications. She holds numerous certificates from Rollart refresher courses accredited by Word Skate, demonstrating her dedication to staying abreast of the latest techniques and methodologies in Roller Artistic skating instruction.
Passionate about sharing her love for the sport, Diana embarked on her journey to teach roller artistic skating in Canada in March 2023. Her mission is to foster a vibrant Artistic roller skating community by offering classes and organising captivating showcase performances. Whether working with young children or adults, Diana’s unwavering dedication to her students’ growth and enjoyment shines through in her coaching approach.
Anna Maria Onnis / Bilingual Instructor in Italian and English
Anna Maria, a former Italian athlete, has over a decade of experience in the world of roller figure skating. From her time in Italy, she held the title of Italian national champion in the free skating discipline, marking a major achievement in her athletic career.
Driven by her passion for the sport, Anna Maria now channels her expertise into coaching and fitness. With more than 10 years of firsthand experience as an athlete, she brings a wealth of knowledge and understanding to her teaching approach.
Having relocated to Canada, Anna Maria is enthusiastic about sharing her love for figure skating with students who are keen to learn. Her dedication to the sport, matched with her desire to nurture talent, makes her a valuable asset to the figure skating community in Canada.
Lexus Czarina Ferrer / Instructor in English
Lexus, a dedicated professional with a profound passion for roller sports. Lexus plays a pivotal role in the day-to-day operations of ARS Canada. She collaborates closely with the club’s management team to oversee various facets of club activities, including membership management, facility operations, marketing, accounting, and event planning.
Lexus’s unwavering commitment to the growth and success of roller sports plays a huge part in her dedication to providing exceptional support to club members and stakeholders. She strives to create a welcoming and inclusive environment where athletes of all levels can thrive and pursue their passion for roller sports. Her tireless efforts and passion contribute significantly to the club’s mission of promoting roller sports excellence across Canada.
