4:04 p.m., Nov. 11, 2008----Competitors and coaches from the University of Delaware Ice Skating Science Development Center will join an array of figure skaters from throughout the region in live shows at Longwood Gardens near Kennett Square, Pa., beginning Thursday, Nov. 27, and continuing through Sunday, Jan. 11.

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The performances are part of Longwood's annual Christmas season, which features dazzling floral displays, elaborately decorated trees, holiday music, 500,000 outdoor lights, dancing fountains and ice skating shows under the stars.

Each 20-minute skating show will take place at Longwood's outdoor skating venue, nestled near the picturesque Chimes Tower. Shows are scheduled at 5 and 6:30 p.m. Monday through Thursday; at 5, 6:30 and 8 p.m. on Fridays; and at 3:30, 5, 6:30 and 8 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays.

Special tickets are required to view the shows and can be purchased online at the [www.longwoodgardens.org] or by calling (610) 388-1000, extension100. Click here to see a complete online schedule of shows and performers.

Top skaters

The lineup of skaters appearing at Longwood includes former Olympians and up-and-coming talents. Many of the skaters train or teach at the University of Delaware, which is renowned as the training ground for many top talents in skating today.

Some of the skaters performing at Longwood include former U.S. Olympians Tiffany Scott and Philip Dulebohn. These talented pair skaters were 2002 U.S. Olympic Team members, 2003 U.S. Champions, and four-time World Team members. They both now coach students of all ages at the University of Delaware.

Also performing will be former New Zealand National Champion Dirke Baker, who competed in the World Championships in 2001, and ice dancer Alexey Beletsky, who represented both Ukraine and Israel during his career and participated in the 2002 Olympic Games. A graduate of the University of Delaware, Baker now coaches at UD.

Emerging talents who will perform include Melissa Bulanhagui of the University of Delaware Figure Skating Club, who won gold in the International Skating Union's Junior Grand Prix held Sept. 3-7 in Merano, Italy, and who is currently ranked eighth in the U.S. The youngest skater in the lineup is 10-year-old Emmanuel Savary, also of the University's Figure Skating Club, who has progressed at an astonishing rate to claim such titles as the 2005 regional bronze medalist, 2006 regional silver medalist and a two-time Junior National team member.

Other talented skaters appearing in the shows, many in training at the University of Delaware, include: Andrew Nagode, Brandon Accardi and Rachel DeRita, Nate Bartholomay and Erika Choi Smith, Emma Phibbs, Kristin Zinsmeister, Kaela Pflumm, Geoffry Varner, Kevin Sun, Lauren Farr and Mac Kern, Lauren Ryan and Taylor Toth, Megan Williams-Stewart, Melyssa James and Jamie Burns, Michael Solonoski and Shaun Rogers.

Admission and Ticketing

General admission prices are $16 for adults; $14 for seniors (age 62 and older), $6 for students (ages 5-22), and free for age 4 and younger. Tickets to view the ice skating performances are an additional fee of $5 ($3 for Garden Passholders). General admission and skating show tickets can be purchased at the Web site or by calling (610) 388-1000, extension 100.