New Team Series: Anna O’Brien & Drake Tong

Skating photo by Robin Ritoss. Banner photo by Daphne Backman

For the next entry in our New Team Series, we meet Anna O’Brien & Drake Tong, junior ice dancers who represent Azerbaijan. They are coached by Kristen Fraser, Igor Lukanin, Ania Zadorozhniuk. You can follow them on their team Instagram @teamobrientong_aze.

Tell us about your individual skating journeys, including any early special memories.

Anna: My skating journey has taken many different turns and has shaped much of who I am today. I currently skate for Azerbaijan, which has been a very meaningful step in my career. Representing Azerbaijan has also given me the opportunity to learn the language and build a deeper connection to the culture, and competing internationally under its flag has been an important part of my development as an athlete. Balancing skating and school was a big part of my upbringing. For several years, I was homeschooled so I could focus more seriously on training, with early morning practices, schoolwork in between, and afternoon or full-day training sessions. One of my earliest special memories came when I was eight years old at my first out-of-state competition in Lake Placid. I competed in ice dance with my coach and won a silver medal, and it was the first time I truly felt like a skater. Being in such a historic venue and standing on the podium made the sport feel real in a new way, and it’s a moment I still remember clearly.

Drake: Skating has been a defining part of my life since I first stepped onto the ice at the age of six. While I grew up playing a variety of sports—including travel lacrosse, basketball, soccer, and baseball—I ultimately realized that skating was the discipline I wanted to pursue at the highest level. By the time I was ten, I began training with greater intention, committing to early-morning practices before school and maintaining a structured schedule that allowed me to balance both academics and athletics.

Among the many meaningful moments throughout my journey, one experience stands out most: winning the preliminary pattern dance national title during my first competitive season. That achievement reinforced my value of hard work and dedication, and it helped shape the work ethic and mindset that continue to guide me today.

What drew you to ice dance?

Anna: I was drawn to ice dance because it felt like the best fit for me from the beginning. I was never a big fan of jumps, and I loved the idea of skating with a partner. I remember telling my coaches that I wanted to skate with a boy, and since they were former Olympic skaters, they really understood that instinct and helped guide me toward ice dance.

As soon as I started learning pattern dances, everything clicked. I love the focus on skating skills, musicality, and connection in ice dance, and it feels more natural to me than anything else I had tried. From the first few pattern dances I learned, I knew ice dance was the right path for me.

Drake: To me, ice dance represented a unique form of free expression and was genuinely captivating to watch. Seeing skaters work in perfect unison while each team brought its own individuality and interpretation to the choreography was fascinating. That combination of precision, artistry, and expression is what drew me to the discipline and solidified my decision to pursue ice dance.

You both competed in solo dance. Talk about that experience and accomplishments.

Anna: I first competed in solo dance in 2019, alongside partner dance. During that time, I competed solo dance while also skating partner events, including combined events and pattern dance events, which helped me gain valuable competitive experience and further develop my skating skills. After that, I took a break from solo dance to focus solely on partner skating. Last year, I returned to solo dance and competed internationally while I was looking for another partner. That period was especially meaningful after time off due to shoulder surgery, as it brought me back into competition and reminded me why I love the sport. I competed in events in Poland and Italy right before my tryout with Drake, and the experience gave me confidence and momentum moving forward.

Drake: Competing in solo dance was an incredibly valuable and rewarding experience. Participating in both international pattern dance and senior solo dance while skating partnered, allowed me to refine my individual skills and develop a stronger personal style that I was able to carry into my partner skating. Some of my proudest accomplishments include winning the gold medal in pattern dance at solo dance nationals as well as medaling multiple years at international pattern dance nationals.

In addition, my first year competing in solo combined began at the senior level, which presented a completely new challenge. Transitioning directly into senior without prior experience in solo combined was a significant step, but it proved to be one of the best decisions I have made in my skating career. Earning multiple top-10 finishes at senior solo dance nationals while balancing pattern dance and partner dance was demanding, yet deeply fulfilling. I am extremely proud of what I was able to accomplish, and I would not change that experience for anything.

Solo dance has played a meaningful role in my development as a skater, and stepping away from it for the first time this year was a bittersweet moment.

How did solo dance prepare you for competing as a team?

Anna: Solo dance played a big role in preparing me to compete as part of a team again. It pushed me to take full responsibility for my skating because without a partner to rely on, I had to be very aware of my own technique and presentation, which helped strengthen my fundamentals. Solo dance also built my confidence in competition, which helped me feel more comfortable and composed when returning to team events.

Drake: Solo dance played a critical role in helping me identify my strengths and areas for growth as an individual skater. Through that experience, I gained a deeper understanding of my skating style and built a strong technical and artistic foundation that I continue to develop today. With a clear awareness of my skill set, I am now able to communicate effectively with my partner and coaches about my assets and areas for improvement, allowing us to work more efficiently and continue refining my craft.

Tell us how your partnership started. Describe the tryout.

Anna: My side of the partnership really began during a transitional period for both of us. I was still in the process of returning back to competition after time off. What stood out to me was how productive the session was. We were able to cover a lot in a short amount of time, and the communication on the ice was clear and efficient. I left the tryout feeling motivated and encouraged, with a sense that this was a partnership worth continuing and developing.

Drake: The partnership began when I was returning to the sport after taking a personal break from skating, and Krigor organized the tryouts. From the very beginning, the tryout felt natural—our synchronization came together quickly and smoothly. What stood out most to me, however, was the level of effort and commitment we both brought into that single hour on the ice. Having been away from skating for some time, that experience reignited my passion for competitive skating almost immediately.

Beyond our connection on the ice, we also discovered that we shared similar priorities off the ice. Both of us are full-time honors college students with strong academic goals, which further strengthened our compatibility as partners. With so many shared values and aspirations, I knew we would be able to support one another and thrive together. From the start, it felt like the perfect fit.

What’s something that surprised you about your partner when you first started training together?

Drake: One of the most surprising things I learned about Anna is that she is fluent in seven languages: English, Spanish, Italian, French, Russian, German, and Azerbaijani.

What experiences do each of you bring to the partnership? 

Anna: I have an Azerbaijan passport, which allows us to compete for Azerbaijan both nationally and internationally. During a break from the ice, I also gained experience trial judging ice dance, which offered a different perspective on the sport and helped deepen my understanding of technical details and performance standards. I’ve also served as the team leader for the Azerbaijan team at the World Championships in Boston last year, which allowed me to build connections within the sport and better understand how teams are supported in international competition.

Drake: I believe I bring a strong sense of positivity to the team, as I value happiness as a core component of a successful partnership. By maintaining positive morale, I help create an environment that encourages open, comfortable communication, allowing us to address challenges effectively and continue growing together as a team.

What has been the biggest adjustment for each of you so far in the partnership?

Anna: For me, the biggest adjustment has been learning how to build consistency as a new team while still figuring out each other’s habits and preferences on the ice. At the same time, balancing the demands of a new partnership with being a full-time college student has been challenging. Managing training, travel, and academics required a lot of organization, but it’s also helped us become more intentional and efficient in how we work together.

Drake: The biggest adjustment for me was learning to balance skating with the demands of college life. Early on, commuting over an hour each way for training before classes—especially during my first year of driving—was challenging. Over time, however, it became a consistent and manageable routine built on discipline and determination, ultimately leading to positive and successful outcomes.

What is it that you already like most about dancing with your new partner?

Anna: One thing I already appreciate a lot about skating with Drake is his positive attitude and open-mindedness. He’s always open to trying new things or making changes, which makes the training process much easier and more productive. He also works incredibly hard, and that commitment sets a strong tone for our partnership.

Because of that mindset, we’re able to keep things enjoyable even on long or challenging days. His energy makes it easy to stay motivated, and we can always find a way to have fun on the ice while still getting the work done.

Drake: In the short five months we have been skating together, the quality I admire most about skating with Anna is her perseverance. Despite facing multiple injuries such as herniated discs, sciatica, scoliosis, Bertolotti’s Syndrome, and a torn labrum in the shoulder she consistently demonstrates resilience and determination, never allowing setbacks to diminish her commitment or drive.

Tell us about your training site. 

Drake: We train at Montclair State University Ice Arena. We take Hip Hop classes, Ballet classes, Ballroom classes, Lyrical classes, Jazz classes, Edge classes at the rink

Who choreographed your programs this season? Who is arranging your music?

Our choreographers were Kaitlyn Weaver (RD) and Igor Lukanin (FD and RD). Our music is arranged by Hugo (Chouinard). 

Anna: Kaitlyn has been very willing to help and brought a positive, encouraging approach to the process, which made the experience especially enjoyable and productive.

Drake: I met Kaitlyn for the first time this season, and she is the most energetic and passionate choreographer I have ever worked with. From the very beginning, her first question was, “What tricks can you do?” For the next thirty minutes, we jumped, spun, and experimented with creative acrobatics, which ultimately inspired a highlight moment in our rhythm dance—a choreographic stop featuring a split and a cartwheel.

If you could have a lesson with any ice dancer past/present, who would it be? Why?

Anna: I would choose Tessa Virtue. She’s widely known for her exceptional edge quality, speed, and control, as well as her ability to maintain strong posture and clarity of movement throughout an entire program. Her skating always looks grounded and efficient, even in difficult transitions.

Drake: Gage Brown has been a significant source of inspiration for me. Having previously trained alongside Inese and Joel, I was consistently motivated by his skating. His skill set is defined by a distinct and unique style, one that I aspire to develop and embody in my own skating career.

What have been your biggest challenges?

Anna: My biggest challenges have been dealing with injuries over the years. I’ve had multiple back issues, as well as injuries from falls, including needing stitches after falling on a lift and sustaining a concussion. Working through these setbacks has been difficult, but they’ve taught me patience and how to approach training more thoughtfully.

Drake: The biggest challenges we faced involved overcoming injuries on both sides. Recovering from bone bruises, back sprains, and even an accidental blade injury that resulted in a cut just below my eye were among the most difficult obstacles to overcome. Working through these setbacks required resilience, patience, and a strong commitment from both of us.

Tell us about your competitions so far this season.

Anna: Our season began in Lake Placid, which was our debut as a team. We were still very new together and definitely nervous, but it was an important first step in gaining competition experience and understanding where we needed to improve.

By the time we competed at Challenge Cup, we felt more settled and confident in our skating. That momentum continued into our Junior Grand Prix in Baku, which was especially meaningful since it took place in Azerbaijan. Competing there felt very special and gave us an extra boost of motivation.

Our competition in Hungary marked another step forward, as we skated with more confidence and consistency. That event was particularly important for us, as it’s where we qualified for the World Championships, making it a meaningful milestone in our season.

Drake: From Lake Placid to Hungary, we have seen significant growth as a new team and are very proud of the progress we have made. Improving our total score from 93 in Lake Placid to 126 in Hungary has reinforced that our training, commitment, and direction are moving us along the right trajectory.

What’s one word that best describes your partnership?

Anna: Evolving

Drake: Adaptable

Anna, your brother Patrick is a novice ice dancer. How do you support each other?

Patrick and I support each other in a very natural way. Since we’re both ice dancers, we understand the ups and downs that come with training and competing, which makes it easy to talk things through and give honest advice.We also often get to travel to competitions together, which has been really special. Sharing those experiences makes the process more enjoyable and helps keep things in perspective. Having someone in my family who truly understands the sport has been very meaningful, and we motivate each other simply by going through it together.

What is each of you looking forward to most about the remainder of the season?

The 2026 World Junior Championships in Tallinn, Estonia.