The Skating Life
Born into an illustrious skating tradition, Jill's family is a part of figure skating history. As daughter of Roy Shipstad, owner and star of Ice Follies and member of the Figure Skating Hall of Fame, and Ice Follies star Bess Ehrhardt, Jill was destined to make ice skating her profession.>
Jill has enjoyed a long and successful career in the ice world. She
was a principal performer in major ice productions such as the
original Ice Follies and later Holiday on Ice. Her background in
dance; jazz, ballet, and contemporary, enabled her to choreograph
all her own solos as well as those of her supporting chorus. She was
renowned for her creative dance-styled numbers with various themes,
such as Spanish, karate, rock, and ballet.
During her performing career, Jill starred on the bill with many
world and Olympic champions such as Peggy Fleming, Donald Jackson,
and David Jenkins. She also starred with the great showman Richard
Dwyer, and future Olympic coach, Frank Carroll.
Throughout her performing career, Jill starred in various network
television specials, as well as glamorous Ice Follies productions in
the main showroom at Caesar's Palace in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Martial Arts
While still starring in ice shows, Jill became interested in the
martial arts and ultimately earned a black belt in the Tang Soo Do
style of karate. Jill studied briefly with world champion Chuck
Norris and also co-authored, with Bob Ellison, a book on
self-protection for women entitled "This Book Can Save Your Life!"
Choreography
In 1980 Jill and her husband, technical coach and former Ice Follies
star, Bill Thomas settled in the Reno-Tahoe area. It was a natural
progression for Jill to pursue her love of movement and skating by
launching a new profession in ice choreography. As a choreographer,
Jill has enjoyed a lengthy and thriving career, working with Olympic
gold medalist, Bob Paul for Walt Disney's World on Ice and major US
theme parks. She gives workshops across North America, and she
choreographs for every type of skater, from beginner to world
competitor.
Among those that Jill has worked with are Rosalynn Sumners, Linda
Fratianne, Verne Taylor, a young Christopher Bowman, 2007 US
National senior competitor, Derrick Delmore and 2008 US Nationals Bronze
medalist, senior lady Ashley Wagner.
And then some ...
Jill also served as a judge in five professional figure skating
competitions, judging international and Olympic champions such as
Scott Hamilton, Brian Boitano, and Katarina Witt. She has
choreographed the famed Rockefeller Center winter Christmas tree
lighting ceremony TV special.
Jill is a long-standing member of both Professional Skaters
Association (PSA) and United States Figure Skating Association
(USFSA).