The Early Years

Their dream started when Luke was 8 years old and Laura was 5 ½. Roller-skating lessons were an outlet for their natural tendencies toward personal achievement, competition, and performance. Roller Haven in Antioch, CA, became home turf for this brother-sister team as they rolled their way into the United States Amateur Confederation of Roller Skating's national competition structure, earning medals and national recognition in figures, freestyle, pairs, and dance.

When Laura and Luke reached their early teens, their love for skating defined the course of their future. They chose to trade in their wheels and bearings for blades. Christine Shinn, a family friend and figure skating choreographer, directed Laura and Luke through the ISIA series of tests, leveling off at Freestyle 5 in time for their first competition December 1994. Between the two of them, they entered 4 events. They won 1st places in each of the events. Additionally, Luke's single routine earned a judge's recall, as did Laura's and Luke's pair program. The duo number won the judge's choice award overall. This was Laura's and Luke's introduction to figure skating, and the determining factor to pursue it wholeheartedly. During the early years, they claimed the San Jose Ice Center and Redwood City's Ice Oasis as their home rinks.

Middle Years

Over the course of time, Laura and Luke adjusted to skating on ice. With coaches Tracy Prussack and Peter Sasmore, they tested through novice pairs and senior dance, as well as senior moves in the field. In the fall of 1997, Laura and Luke decided to concentrate on dance as their competitive discipline. A degenerative back injury forced Luke off the ice in 1999. Consequently, Laura and Luke dissolved their partnership for a period of time. They resumed their partnership for the 2001 season, making Oakland's Ice Center their home rink. Peter Sasmore, the Muñana's coach, supported Laura and Luke in developing their personal style and technique, and encouraged them to mature individually and as a team. Using their qualities and his expertise, Peter fashioned Laura and Luke into a senior dance team.

Recent Events

With the completion of each competitive season, it is standard practice to evaluate past accomplishments and formulate a plan that is in alignment with future goals. Thus, in the spring of 2004 along with their coach Peter Sasmore, Laura and Luke determined that some changes for the 2005 season would be in their best interest. From June 2004-October 2006, the Muñana's trained and competed under the coaching of Marina Klimova & Sergei Ponomarenko.  From October 2006-November 2007 they trained and competed under Muriel Zazoui, of France, and Renee Roca, of USA.  They attained such heights as Mexican National Ice Dance Champions, 2006 Skate America competitors, three-time Four Continents competitors, three-time World Championship competitors, and First International Ice Dance Alternates at the 2006 Winter Olympics.

Current Career

Having attained their level of International competition and personal recognition it is important to the Muñana's to continue to skate from their hearts in a professional setting.  As professionals, the Muñana's are engaged in private and public performances.  Their special chemistry on the ice, developed from years of close interaction and competitive skating, now enables Laura and Luke to shine as an adagio pair team in their new venture as professional partners.

For more information about their performance schedule, click here.