Mariyah and Peter Gerber’s story began under the bright lights of Disney On Ice, where two young performers found both their passion and, eventually, each other. Years later, they’ve built a life, a family and a shared history far beyond the rink, yet the ice still calls them back. On April 17th, the Gerbers will return to the ice for a special intermission performance during Disney On Ice presents Road Trip Adventures at Desert Diamond Arena in Glendale, AZ, bringing their journey full circle in the most fitting way. This one‑night appearance is a chance for them to reconnect with the show that shaped so much of their early lives, while sharing a moment that’s uniquely theirs.
For Mariyah, skating started with family. Her grandmother adored ice skating, and when a rink opened nearby, she signed young Mariyah up without hesitation. “I wasn’t very good in the beginning, but I instantly fell in love with it.” That early spark grew into years of training, performing and eventually touring the world. Peter’s introduction to skating took a different route. During a middle school field trip to his local community center, he happened to see Elvis Stojko training. One axel jump was all it took—Peter knew he wanted to skate. “The funny part,” he says, “is that I ended up becoming an ice dancer instead of a free skater like him.”
Their worlds collided on tour with Disney On Ice in Pensacola Beach, Florida. Peter had just joined the cast, and mutual friends introduced them during a casual hangout at the hotel. Neither could have predicted that this simple moment would become the beginning of their favorite memory, and the start of their future together.
Both Mariyah and Peter look back on their time with Disney On Ice with deep love. The friendships they formed continue to be some of the most important in their lives. Mariyah especially treasures her time interacting with the children in the audience. “It was magical to see that twinkle in their eye when they met their favorite character,” she says. “For so many kids, Disney On Ice is their first introduction to skating.” For Peter, touring with Disney On Ice was not only his first major job with an American company, it was also his first chance to explore the East Coast. Pensacola Beach will always hold a special place in his heart, as that’s where he met his future wife.
Joining the same show was the first time their skating worlds truly overlapped. Sharing rehearsals and performances gave them a deeper understanding of each other. Skating as a pair shaped their relationship in ways they never expected. “Skating together made us stronger as a couple, both on and off the ice. We had to learn how to rely on each other in a different way than a typical relationship. Building that trust made us more willing to try new and harder tricks and shaped us into a great team for life.”
Even after their touring days ended, skating never left their lives. What began as two young Disney On Ice performers eventually grew into a life built together, now as a married couple with two children. Whether they’re taking their kids to the rink or filming a fun social media video, the ice remains a place they return to again and again. Sharing their Disney On Ice story with their children has been especially meaningful. “It feels incredibly full circle,” they say. “We both grew up loving Disney, then we met on tour and now we have this amazing opportunity to perform at a show. Having our kids in the audience really brings it all together.”
As they prepare for their intermission performance, Mariyah and Peter are excited to reconnect with something that shaped so much of who they are. “We’re excited for the audience to see us doing what we love and feel the joy that it brings us to perform. Although it feels like so long ago, touring with Disney On Ice was such a big part of our lives. We have the opportunity to relive that and we hope to inspire others to never give up on what they love.”
For both of them, being part of the Disney On Ice legacy is an honor. The show has always been about bringing joy to audiences of all ages around the world, and they’re grateful to have contributed to that mission. Mariyah credits Disney On Ice with helping her grow into the woman she is today, having joined the cast at just 17. Peter says the experience gave him structure, discipline and the confidence to follow through on his goals. While their return isn’t a rejoining of the cast, it is a meaningful moment to celebrate where they came from and to share their love of performing with a new audience.
This Friday, see Mariyah and Peter’s special intermission performance at Disney On Ice presents Road Trip Adventures. Click HERE for tickets.
