Ellen Burka
Encyclopedia
Ellen Burka, CM
(born August 11, 1921, Amsterdam
) is a Dutch
former figure skater and a Canadian figure skating
coach. She was the coach for Toller Cranston
, Karen Magnussen
, and her daughter Petra Burka.
In 1978, she was made a Member of the Order of Canada
"for elevating skating to an art form and for imaginative choreography on the ice." In 1996, she was inducted into Canada's Sports Hall of Fame
. Before moving to Canada, she was a Dutch national champion in 1946 and 1947.
She is now teaching at the Granite club in Toronto, Ontario.
Order of Canada
The Order of Canada is a Canadian national order, admission into which is, within the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, the second highest honour for merit...
(born August 11, 1921, Amsterdam
Amsterdam
Amsterdam is the largest city and the capital of the Netherlands. The current position of Amsterdam as capital city of the Kingdom of the Netherlands is governed by the constitution of August 24, 1815 and its successors. Amsterdam has a population of 783,364 within city limits, an urban population...
) is a Dutch
Netherlands
The Netherlands is a constituent country of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, located mainly in North-West Europe and with several islands in the Caribbean. Mainland Netherlands borders the North Sea to the north and west, Belgium to the south, and Germany to the east, and shares maritime borders...
former figure skater and a Canadian figure skating
Figure skating
Figure skating is an Olympic sport in which individuals, pairs, or groups perform spins, jumps, footwork and other intricate and challenging moves on ice skates. Figure skaters compete at various levels from beginner up to the Olympic level , and at local, national, and international competitions...
coach. She was the coach for Toller Cranston
Toller Cranston
Toller Shalitoe Montague Cranston, CM is a Canadian figure skater and painter. He is the 1971-1976 Canadian national champion, the 1974 World bronze medalist, and the 1976 Olympic bronze medalist....
, Karen Magnussen
Karen Magnussen
Karen Diane Magnussen, OC is a Canadian figure skater. She won the silver medal at the 1972 Winter Olympics, and is 1973 World Champion....
, and her daughter Petra Burka.
In 1978, she was made a Member of the Order of Canada
Order of Canada
The Order of Canada is a Canadian national order, admission into which is, within the system of orders, decorations, and medals of Canada, the second highest honour for merit...
"for elevating skating to an art form and for imaginative choreography on the ice." In 1996, she was inducted into Canada's Sports Hall of Fame
Canada's Sports Hall of Fame
Canada's Sports Hall of Fame is a hall of fame established in 1955 to "preserve the record of Canadian sports achievements and to promote a greater awareness of Canada's heritage of sport." It is located at Canada Olympic Park in Calgary, Alberta...
. Before moving to Canada, she was a Dutch national champion in 1946 and 1947.
She is now teaching at the Granite club in Toronto, Ontario.