MEDIA
How Ice Skater, Dancer Marta Eliza Miller Has Been Overcoming Scoliosis
ByBruce Y. Lee,
Senior Contributor.
Bruce Y. Lee, M.D., MBA, covers health, medicine, wellness and science
Sep 07, 2026, 10:18pm EDTSep 08, 2026, 11:47am EDT
Marta Eliza Miller began figure skating in 2014 at age 7 and soon demonstrated the elite talent that would eventually have her training alongside the likes of Olympic gold medalist Nathan Chen and reigning world champion Quad God Ilia Malinin.
(Photo: Cathryn Farnsworth)
You could say that Marta Eliza Miller was skating through life until things took an unexpected turn—literally. Not too long after she began figure skating in 2014 at age 7, Miller was already demonstrating the elite talent that would eventually have her training alongside the likes of Olympic gold medalist Nathan Chen and reigning world champion Quad God Ilia Malinin.
Along the way, scoliosis ended up changing the course of her career and life—although she didn’t let that diagnosis put all the things that she was doing on ice. Quite the contrary. Miller, who now is 19 years of age, already has competitive ice dancer and member of U.S. Figure Skating on her much, much more than “rink”-credible resume. And six years ago, she and her family established the Marta Eliza Miller Foundation to raise awareness about scoliosis and funding for scoliosis research with the motto, “Stand Tall, Be Strong, Dream Big.”
An Injury Led To Miller Being Diagnosed With Scoliosis
Miller recently told me about how her scoliosis journey began: “I started figure skating when I was 7 years old and when I was around 9 to 10 years old, my mom noticed that I slouched a lot while skating and looked down a lot.” Her mother, Corrina, then wondered whether she had scoliosis, “Marta ended up wearing a flexible brace for the first couple of years," Corrina recalled to me. "Then she was doing a jump on the ice and injured herself, and we ended up at Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, and they also noticed she had scoliosis.” That was in 2017.
Marta Eliza Miller is seen here with the Children's Hospital Los Angeles staff in 2019. (Photo: Courtesy of the Marta Eliza Miller Foundation)
Courtesy of the Marta Eliza Miller Foundation
Scoliosis is when your spine curves to the left or right into more of a "C" or "S" shape rather than running straight down your back. In most cases, the exact cause is unknown. But it can result from bone abnormalities present at birth or conditions that affect nerve and muscle control such as cerebral palsy and muscular dystrophy. Scoliosis is most often right before puberty when growth spurts tend to occur. A greater than 10 degree curve sideways on X-rays qualifies as scoliosis, which according to some estimates affects around two percent of all people— although such estimates could be gross underestimates.
Review: SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER
OF FLEET STREET at The Pocket Community Theatre in Hot Springs
Lust and Revenge consume The Pocket beginning this Friday
By: Theresa BertramAug. 05, 2026
There are some musicals that completely consume me every time I see them, and Stephen Sondheim's Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street is at the very top of that list. No matter how many times I venture down Fleet Street, I find myself discovering something new, laughing at the wicked humor, and marveling at Sondheim's brilliant score. So when The Pocket Community Theatre announced it was taking on this legendary musical, I knew I had to be there. Under the direction of James Kendall, with Emily Cooper as Music Director and choreography by Marta Eliza Miller and Stephanie Shaw, this thrilling production opens Friday, August 7, and runs through August 16. Once again, The Pocket proves it isn't afraid to dream big, embracing one of Broadway's most challenging and rewarding masterpieces with the confidence and talent that audiences have come to expect from this incredible theatre company.
Benjamin Barker returns to London after years of wrongful exile, assuming the name Sweeney Todd and opening a barber shop above Mrs. Lovett's struggling pie shop. Consumed by a desire for revenge against the corrupt Judge Turpin, the man who destroyed his family, Sweeney embarks on a dark and deadly path. As Mrs. Lovett eagerly turns tragedy into opportunity, their shocking partnership becomes one of the most infamous collaborations in musical theatre history. Beneath the bloodshed and wicked humor lies a heartbreaking story about love, loss, justice, and the devastating cost of vengeance.
Leading the company is Dan Breshears as the infamous Sweeney Todd. Breshears commands the stage with quiet intensity, portraying a man whose soul has been completely consumed by vengeance. His rich vocals handle Sondheim's demanding score with confidence while allowing audiences to glimpse the broken husband and father buried beneath the murderous barber. His performance is both intimidating and deeply human.
More Than a Diagnosis: Marta Eliza Miller’s Story of Healing, Hope, and Helping Others
ByMelissa Billie Clark
Published Jul 16, 2026, 6:15 AM
More from Melissa Billie Clark
At only 19, Marta Miller has already built a life shaped by discipline, determination, and perseverance. A former competitive figure skater and musical theater performer, Miller is also the co-founder of the Marta Eliza Miller Foundation for Scoliosis Awareness. She established the organization with her mother, Corrina Miller, to support scoliosis education, awareness, and treatment efforts. Together, they have helped raise more than $1 million while supporting families navigating the condition. Miller’s story extends beyond her medical diagnosis and reflects her development as an athlete, performer and advocate who learned to speak openly about difficult experiences.
Facing a Severe Scoliosis Diagnosis
More Than a Diagnosis: Marta Eliza Miller’s Story of Healing, Hope, and Helping Others
Credit: Photo Provided By: Marta Eliza Miller Foundation
Miller was first diagnosed with scoliosis when she was 10 years old and began wearing a flexible back brace. By age 13, the curvature of her spine had progressed significantly. “My curve spiked to 48 degrees,” Miller recalled. “It was a really scary time, and a lot was going on.” Doctors became concerned that surgery might be necessary, and Miller underwent several MRIs while specialists worked to understand her condition better and determine an appropriate course of treatment.
'Elite' Teenage Figure Skater Gets Life-Changing Diagnosis, Then Raises Over $1M for Research (Exclusive)
Marta Eliza Miller was diagnosed with scoliosis when she was 11
By Meredith Wilshere Published on March 15, 2026 05:00AM EDT
Marta Miller
Credit: Cathryn Farnsworth; Courtesy of the Marta Eliza Miller Foundation
NEED TO KNOW
Marta Eliza Miller was diagnosed with scoliosis at 11, and by age 13, she had a 48-degree spinal curve
She and her mother founded the Marta Eliza Miller Foundation to raise awareness about the condition and raise funds for research
Miller tells PEOPLE that the foundation has since raised over $1 million
Marta Eliza Miller's happy place has always been on the ice, but a diagnosis at age 11 threatened everything she had been working toward for years.
"My mom noticed that I leaned to my left side and looked down while I was skating," the California-based teen tells PEOPLE. "Whenever we tried a posture brace, it would always shift to the wrong side."
"My mom did some research and realized that I might have scoliosis, so I got diagnosed when I was 11 years old and started wearing my flexible brace," she continues. "A year later, when I was doing a double lutz, I injured my right hip flexor, went to the Children's Hospital, and they noticed that I had scoliosis and a shorter left leg. The hospital started monitoring my scoliosis."
Featured on KOST-FM iHeartRadio “The Ellen Show” for Giving Tuesday
Featured in CHLA “Imagine” Magazine December 2023 Issue
Marta Miller: A Source of Inspiration
On and Off the Ice
December 4, 2023
by Sara Jones
Marta, a patient in the Jackie and Gene Autry Orthopedic Center and a proud Junior Ambassador, has raised more than $50,000 for CHLA through ice skating exhibitions and more.
At 16 years old, Marta Miller has accomplished more than the average teenager. Competitive ice dancer, member of U.S. Figure Skating, musical theater performer and philanthropist describe just some of her many talents. A grateful patient and Junior Ambassador for Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Marta has raised more than $50,000 for the Children's Spine Center.
Featured on KTLA 5 for Giving Tuesday 2023
Support CHLA this Giving Tuesday (10 a.m.)
Morning NewsNov 28, 2023 / 12:24 PM PST
Megan Henderson was live from the Children's Hospital Los Angeles with details on the 8th Annual Giving Tuesday fundraiser with Children’s Hospital Los Angeles, KOST 103.5 and KTLA5. KTLA viewers can donate via CHLA.org/KTLA or by calling 1-800-770-CHLA (2452) Donate $35 or more and a child in the hospital will receive Donate $35 or more and a child in the hospital will receive a My Paw In Yours Puppy, thanks to a partnership with Jamie Lee Curtis’ company, My Hand in Yours. With your gift, you are supporting care in more than 350 specialty programs and services, as well as leading-edge research that helps kids in Los Angeles and throughout the world. Megan Henderson reports for the KTLA 5 Morning News on November 28, 2023.