Our Story

Dream Detroit Skating Academy (DDSA) is a figure skating program based in Detroit, Michigan. Growing up, DDSA skating directors Angela Blocker-Loyd and Candice Tamakloe were two of only a few competitive African American skaters in the metropolitan Detroit area. As they continued refining their craft through the years, they noticed that there was a lack of representation and opportunity for Detroit youth in the figure skating world. With hopes of being the change they wanted to see, Candice and Angela launched Dream Detroit Skating Academy at the Jack Adams Memorial Ice Arena in Detroit.

DDSA offers a high-quality and rigorous figure skating program for Detroit’s youth that will prepare them for a variety of figure skating disciplines. It is the only black- and woman-owned figure skating club in the City of Detroit that offers both group and private figure skating lessons to youth ages 4 and up with skill-building opportunities starting from Learn to Skate classes to competitive and ice show performances.

DDSA Enrollment Includes: 

1. Group lessons with a trained figure skating professional

2. A Learn-to-Skate membership with U.S. Figure Skating (USFS)

3. Learn to Skate skills tests and badges

4. Participation in DDSA’s annual Winter Holiday Exhibition and Spring Ice Show 

5. An opportunity to compete in local competitions

6. Options for private lessons with a trained figure skating professional 

7. A full membership with the Adam-Butzel Recreation Center

Candice and Angela firmly believe that figure skating is not readily available to Detroit’s youth, but there is no reason that the community should not have access to the same opportunities afforded to suburban communities across the globe. By introducing this non-traditional sport, Dream Detroit hopes to instill, in its students, a sense of self-worth, community, curiosity, and most importantly, the confidence to explore opportunities beyond the scope of their familiar environment. DDSA students will also gain discipline, dedication, independence, leadership skills, creativity and healthy competitive habits.

Angela and Candice believe in building an organization that feels more like a family. They both have long, impressive resumes that include working with youth of all ages across a multitude of physical activities.  In many of their other endeavors, Candice and Angela’s students have followed them on to new opportunities, and these ladies’ hope is that they will be able to create these same opportunities for future skaters. 

For scheduling or enrollment details, please click here.