Solo Ice Dance

[taz'smum]

I used to do it in competition and also just skating around. I can still remember most of the dances I learnt.

Me too! I can still remember all of the dances.
I even skated up until 8 months pregnant.
My sprog used to be unusually still and quiet in her cocoon when I was skating.

 

[MacMadame]

One of my ice dance friends also skated until 8 months pregnant. It was the dip in the Golden Waltz that caused her to stop.

I don't remember any of the dances as a whole. I remember parts of some.

 

[FSWer]

Say, speaking of Solo Ice-Dance, I found this link on youtube and I thought I'd share it with all you guys. I hope it works. But if it doesn't I hope someone knows what I'm trying to post. The link is...http//www.youtube.com/watch?v=UnkfqoDVb9Q
Btw. would anyone here want to be a Solo Ice-Dancer?

 

[gkelly]

Thanks for the link.

 

[FSWer]

Your welcome. Btw. I have a question. Are there required elements in Solo Ice-Dance?

 

[Clarice]

Your welcome. Btw. I have a question. Are there required elements in Solo Ice-Dance?

Solo pattern dances are what they are - you skate the pattern of the dance. In solo free dance there are required elements. Those include step sequences, twizzles, spins, and edge elements like spirals or spread eagles. I do Adult Silver solo free dance. My dance has a pivot and a spiral for the edge elements, a twizzle series, a straight-line step sequence, a choreographic step sequence, and a spin. Different levels have different requirements.

 

[Aussie Willy]

I haven't seen anything come out from the ISU yet, even though I have checked. Has anyone else seen anything?

 

[FSWer]

Solo pattern dances are what they are - you skate the pattern of the dance. In solo free dance there are required elements. Those include step sequences, twizzles, spins, and edge elements like spirals or spread eagles. I do Adult Silver solo free dance. My dance has a pivot and a spiral for the edge elements, a twizzle series, a straight-line step sequence, a choreographic step sequence, and a spin. Different levels have different requirements.

Oh...do you have to do spirals? Did that link I posted work for you all btw?

 

[FSWer]

Say, I have another question about required elements. Does that mean you have to include all the elements on the ISU. list in your program?...Or can you chose which required elements from the list you yourself as a skater want to include, in which case you just have to include some of them?

 

[gkelly]

I don't think we know what the ISU rules will be yet.

In the US, it depends on the level and the type of program. For example, at Juvenile level, there are 4 required elements in the Free Dance:

Edge Element
Spin
Step Sequence
Twizzle (just one)

Those are the only elements the skater can get IJS points for, so if they want the points, they have to do all those elements.
If they leave one out, they get no points for that element -- they can't replace it with a different element that they like better.

For the Senior Free Dance, there are more elements required, and some flexibility in what kind of elements to do, but also some that are required.

Edge elements
CHOICE: either one combination edge element plus one short edge element
OR three different short edge elements

Spin
(choice of whether or not to change feet)

Step sequence
(choice of shape)

One-foot turn sequence

Twizzle series

Choreographic element
CHOICE three of the four types listed below:
*Choreographic character step
*Choreographic sliding movement
*Choreographic spinning movement
*Choreographic twizzling movement

I hope that answers your questions.

Again, if you leave out one of the requirements, you get no points for the thing you didn't do. If you do extra of something, or you do something that's not on the list at all, it doesn't earn points.

 

[FSWer]

Oh,I see. Also I was wondering...can a skater be rewarded for at least...trying a required element in competition?...For example... if I was going to compete, but at the same time I could never learn to do a Spiral because of my balance...could I still compete and at least try my best to do a Spiral, and if it came out to be my own variation of one...could I still get rewarded for at least trying? Btw. anyone here who is (or was) a Solo Ice-Dancer want to share a link of them Ice-Dancing with us?

 

[Aussie Willy]

Oh,I see. Also I was wondering...can a skater be rewarded for at least...trying a required element in competition?...For example... if I was going to compete, but at the same time I could never learn to do a Spiral because of my balance...could I still compete and at least try my best to do a Spiral, and if it came out to be my own variation of one...could I still get rewarded for at least trying? Btw. anyone here who is (or was) a Solo Ice-Dancer want to share a link of them Ice-Dancing with us?

Unless you fulfill the requirements of the elements then it may not be counted even if you try it. So if you try a spiral by lifting your leg up but it doesn't get a full spiral position, then the element may be recognised but it will not get a level and will be no value.

 

[Aussie Willy]

This came up on my FB feed. It is a variation of solo dance but with two skaters doing the patterns together. This Silver Samba is fantastic.

What is Shadow Dance? Shadow Dance is a division of Solo Dance, where two ice dancers perform a pattern dance side-by-side, facing the same direction. They are judged on their unison, and how well they maintain an arm’s length between them. | What i

What is Shadow Dance? Shadow Dance is a division of Solo Dance, where two ice dancers perform a pattern dance side-by-side, facing the same direction....

fb.watch

I have goofed around in dance sessions with shadowing other skaters and also doing things like the Dutch Waltz in fours. But this is really something that really elevates solo dance as a discipline.

 

[MacMadame]

This came up on my FB feed. It is a variation of solo dance but with two skaters doing the patterns together. This Silver Samba is fantastic.

What is Shadow Dance? Shadow Dance is a division of Solo Dance, where two ice dancers perform a pattern dance side-by-side, facing the same direction. They are judged on their unison, and how well they maintain an arm’s length between them. | What i

What is Shadow Dance? Shadow Dance is a division of Solo Dance, where two ice dancers perform a pattern dance side-by-side, facing the same direction....

fb.watch

I have goofed around in dance sessions with shadowing other skaters and also doing things like the Dutch Waltz in fours. But this is really something that really elevates solo dance as a discipline.

I competed in Shadow Dance once. It was fun.

 

[FSWer]

Say, who is everyone's fav. Solo Ice-Dancer here?

 

[Sylvia]

Solo Dance | U.S. Figure Skating

www.usfigureskating.org

Under NEW FOR NEXT SEASON - 2023 (first link of 3):

https://www.usfigureskating.org/sites/default/files/media-files/Hello%20Solo%20Dance%20Community%21.pdf

2023 National Solo Dance Series Competitions (27 total; last updated March 14, 2023): https://www.usfigureskating.org/sit...es/2023 SDS Competition List Selections_4.pdf
ETA: The season began this past weekend with the Magnolia Open in GA and the Denver Invitational, and runs through Copper Cup in Bountiful, UT August 10-13, 2023.

Solo Dance Series Handbook (70 pages; last updated Feb. 28, 2023): https://www.usfigureskating.org/sit...a-files/2023 SD Handbook with PD V7.1 pdf.pdf

 

[Aussie Willy]

2023 National Solo Dance Series Competitions (Last Updated: March 14, 2023): https://www.usfigureskating.org/sites/default/files/media-files/2023 SDS Competition List Selections_4.pdf

Solo Dance Series Handbook (70 pages; last updated Feb. 28, 2023): https://www.usfigureskating.org/sites/default/files/media-files/2023 SD Handbook with PD V7.1 pdf.pdf

Thanks so much for that. Still waiting for the ISU to release the rules. But if USFSA are following them that is great to see.

I might contact our liaison person here to see where things are at. I am doing a talk for Adult skaters here in Australia next week and will mention it as a pathway for skaters.

 

[Andrea82]

The ISU group working on the Solo Dance rules is composed by

Benoît Lavoie (CAN) Council liaison
Chair Shawn Rettstatt (USA) IDTC liaison
Kristin Fraser-Lukanin (AZE)
John Miller (USA)
Marie-Louise Gijtenbeek (NED)
Neil Brown (FIN)
Candice Towler-Green (GBR)
Bianka Szijgyarto (HUN)
Monica MacDonald (AUS)

Source: ISU Meet The Team section which has been updated to list all the working groups now.

Rules and requirements will be then submitted to ISU Council for approval.

 

[Aussie Willy]

The ISU group working on the Solo Dance rules is composed by

Benoît Lavoie (CAN) Council liaison
Chair Shawn Rettstatt (USA) IDTC liaison
Kristin Fraser-Lukanin (AZE)
John Miller (USA)
Marie-Louise Gijtenbeek (NED)
Neil Brown (FIN)
Candice Towler-Green (GBR)
Bianka Szijgyarto (HUN)
Monica MacDonald (AUS)

Source: ISU Meet The Team section which has been updated to list all the working groups now.

Rules and requirements will be then submitted to ISU Council for approval.

Thanks. I didn't know that page existed for the Working Groups.

ISU Working Groups

The International Skating Union is the international sport federation administering Ice Skating sports throughout the world.

www.isu.org

 

[Andrea82]

Thanks. I didn't know that page existed for the Working Groups.

ISU Working Groups

The International Skating Union is the international sport federation administering Ice Skating sports throughout the world.

www.isu.org

It was added like one or two months ago. Anyway, fairly recently. When it was first put online, it didn't include the Solo Ice Dance and the Wealth Management WG. They were added some weeks later.

 

[Aussie Willy]

It was added like one or two months ago. Anyway, fairly recently. When it was first put online, it didn't include the Solo Ice Dance and the Wealth Management WG. They were added some weeks later.

They probably need to put the Theatre on Ice group on there too.

 

[Sylvia]

Adult Solo Ice Dance [eta to clarify: Championship level with qualifying via Sectionals] will be a new event at Nationals:

Dancing With Myself - U.S. Figure Skating Fan Zone

The U.S. Adult Figure Skating Championships presented by Prevagen are mostly comprised of open events which don't require qualification. For select events, though,

usfigureskatingfanzone.com

Since 2016, there have have been 10 championship events. However, at the 2023 Adult Championships in Salt Lake City, an 11th championship event will be welcomed into the schedule: championship adult solo dance.
"With the growth of solo dance events, it seemed only right to give our highest-level adult solo dancers their own championship event," Adult Skating Committee Chair Cara Scudner said. "This event is the culmination of years of hard work by the Adult Skating Committee and some collaboration from the Dance Development and Technical Committee."
While adults are welcome to compete in the National Solo Dance Series, the series doesn't include any categories specifically for adults. Naturally, the U.S. Adult Championships provides the perfect atmosphere for these athletes, and 2023 marks the first time that an all-adult solo dance event exists at a championship level.

I can start an event thread for U.S. Adult Nationals (Wed, Apr. 12, to Sat, Apr. 15, 2023 in Salt Lake City) before nex week.

 

[ice coverage]

Adult Solo Ice Dance will be a new event at Nationals:

Dancing With Myself - U.S. Figure Skating Fan Zone

The U.S. Adult Figure Skating Championships presented by Prevagen are mostly comprised of open events which don't require qualification. For select events, though,

usfigureskatingfanzone.com

...

I think the point is that Championship-level Adult Solo Ice Dance has been added to U.S. Nationals, as discussed in the quoted passage.

Solo ice dancers have been competing at U.S. Adult Nationals before, but only at other levels, such as: Adult Gold Solo Dance, Adult Silver Solo Dance, etc.

Examples:

https://ijs.usfigureskating.org/leaderboard/results/2015/2015_us_adult_fs_champs/index.asp​

https://ijs.usfigureskating.org/leaderboard/results/2022/28741/index.asp​

(I have no idea what the requirements are for Championship-level as opposed to other levels.)

ETA:​

I think at least part of the idea is that at Championship level, competing at U.S. Adult Nats requires qualifying via U.S. Adult Sectionals.
For competition at Gold level and below, U.S. Adult Nats and U.S. Adult Sectionals both are nonqualifying events, and it is not necessary to qualify for Nats via Sectionals.

Qualifying Competitions | U.S. Figure Skating

www.usfigureskating.org

---

ETA:

This came up on my FB feed. It is a variation of solo dance but with two skaters doing the patterns together. This Silver Samba is fantastic.

What is Shadow Dance? Shadow Dance is a division of Solo Dance, where two ice dancers perform a pattern dance side-by-side, facing the same direction. They are judged on their unison, and how well they maintain an arm’s length between them. | What i

What is Shadow Dance? Shadow Dance is a division of Solo Dance, where two ice dancers perform a pattern dance side-by-side, facing the same direction....

fb.watch

I have goofed around in dance sessions with shadowing other skaters and also doing things like the Dutch Waltz in fours. But this is really something that really elevates solo dance as a discipline.

USFS article from December about sisters Natalie and Chiara Tan, the shadow dancers in the On Ice Perspectives video.

Sister Connection Leads Natalie and Chiara Tan to Gold in Shadow Dance | U.S. Figure Skating

www.usfigureskating.org

Joel Dear is their coach [ETA: as well as choreographer].

(I had a chance to see the Tan sisters perform live at Chelsea Piers in NYC as part of the show on ISU World Ice Skating Day in December.)​

 

[FSWer]

Say everyone, I just saw a utube video of Emily Bratti as a Solo Ice-Dancer back in 2017. I never realized she was one before she got a Partner. Look her up. Say,are there any other Ice-dancers with Partners that were once Solo Ice-Dancers?

 

[Sylvia]

are there any other Ice-dancers with Partners that were once Solo Ice-Dancers?

Yes, these were some of the Olympic and World level ice dancers who were mentioned earlier in this thread:
Tiffani Zagorski, Olivia Smart, Penny Coomes & Nick Buckland, Lilah Fear (they all started as solo ice dancers in Great Britain, wrote @taz'smum).

And like Emily Bratti, USA's Eva Pate who competes as a senior both nationally and internationally with Logan Bye:

Eva Pate also came through solo dance. That’s how Logan found her.

Also from the USA - Molly Cesanek and Karina Manta (retired now but still skating professionally with Joe Johnson).

 

[Sylvia]

Hey @Aussie Willy, Brooklee Han was recently in Australia to lead a solo ice dance seminar: https://www.instagram.com/p/Cqu9IF1ruJ5/

Thank you so much to @iceskating_queensland and Boondall Figure Skating Club for having me out the past two days to work with all of your skaters and introduce everyone to the basics of Solo Dance! I am loving all the enthusiasm for this brand new ISU discipline!

 

[Aussie Willy]

Hey @Aussie Willy, Brooklee Han was recently in Australia to lead a solo ice dance seminar: https://www.instagram.com/p/Cqu9IF1ruJ5/

I was told by the coach who was organising it that she was coming. Wasn't sure when.

 

[FSWer]

Say, who is everyone's favorite Solo Ice-Dancer here...and how did you yourself get into Solo Ice-Dance?

 

[Sylvia]

For those interested, here were the results of the 2022 U.S. National Solo Dance Finals, Sept. 7-10 in Valencia, CA: https://ijs.usfigureskating.org/leaderboard/results/2022/30925/index.asp

Senior Solo Combined Dance final standings: https://ijs.usfigureskating.org/leaderboard/results/2022/30925/CAT013SEG023.html

Top 5 + videos I found:

GOLD Lucas Appel, Florida Everblades FSC 1 81.22 1 115.99 197.21
RD: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aZtrzP5AUVU
FD: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x2HsUPgXNK4

SILVER Brooke Tufts, North Jersey FSC 2 75.49 2 108.56 184.05
RD: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-pRpY36l9rs
FD (at Silicon Valley Open): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W-wgflkSGyE

BRONZE Anna Lewis, Washington FSC 3 71.90 4 96.86 168.76
RD: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GGN3hiGFyvs
FD: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ojb6ABwuVfw

4 Hannah Kim, Glacier Falls FSC 9 64.43 3 101.08 165.51
RD: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-mN93wW3YEQ
FD (Yura Min was by the boards for her): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kqc_L-nlR9k

5 Sophie Lewis, Washington FSC 4 67.49 5 94.12 161.61 (note: siblings Anna & Sophie also won the silver medal in the Gold-International Shadow Dance event)
RD: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GGN3hiGFyvs
FD: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eZyEqsdJkRI

Recap:

Appel Wins Gold in Santa Clarita | U.S. Figure Skating

www.usfigureskating.org

 

[On My Own]

Is there a handbook for solo dance?