SynchroNice / Fourth Edition / 2019

of the world’s top skaters is absolutely tangible and it’s so moving to see teams conclude their season by ska­ ting their season’s best program. WHAT DOES THE MUSIC AND THEMES MEAN TO YOU, OR THE COSTUMES/DRESSES? I prefer to practice in all black. I find the color aesthetically pleasing on the ice and it just puts me in the mindset of “I’m ready to train” - Maybe it’s just out of habit! If I’m practicing by myself I like to use headphones to focus and motivate myself. Generally, I’m listening to whatever music I can vibe and jam out to. For me it’s a lot of Alternative and Indie music with a smattering of Rock. Lately, my heavy rotation includes Florence and the Machine and the Black Keys. Do you have a say in the music for the programs? I tend to like more dramatic music or programs where there’s a story to tell. Generally, I come around to whatever the coaches pick. Our coaches are always open to suggestions which is pretty cool, but at the end of the day they get the final say. AND DO YOU HAVE A FAVORITE TEAM OR MAYBE A FAVORITE SKATER SOMEWHERE IN THE WORLD THAT IS A ROLE MODEL TO YOU OR YOUR TEAM? I come from an ice dance background so I always looked up to the world’s best ice dancers. When I was younger, it was always Tanith Belbin and Ben Agosto and in more recent years it’s been Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir. I love how they use their whole body to express the music and communicate with their audience. Their ability as sto­ ry-tellers through physicality is something I absolutely strive for and admire. As a kid I would always pretend I was doing a program to whoever’s music was currently playing and that’s how I motivated myself to practice. Now when I skate to my own programmusic I can’t help but skate every program all out because I feel the music commands it. I think I look up to these great ice dancers, because I can relate to that need to express myself and communicate through movement. Internalizing and feeling the music has always been one of my greatest strengths in skating and something that felt very natural to me. WE ARE NOT GOING TO TALK OLYMPICS ANYMORE, BUT IS SYNCHRO MOVING IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION? In the seven years I stepped away from the sport a lot has changed and the quality of skating has improved so much! It’s been exciting to witness the change in the skating world’s attitude towards synchro. I feel like there are more countries than ever participating and the overall bar has been raised dramatically. I think introducing more creative elements has spurred on an exciting new evolution of the sport that makes each program so unique. Technical elements are important when demonstrating a team’s mastery and skill of the sport, but it’s the creative elements allow for team’s strengths, creativity and personality to shine. I think going forward these will play an important role in making Synchro more palatable to a general audience because their unpredictable nature makes watching all the more gripping! WHAT MORE WOULD YOU LIKE TO SHARE WITH THE SYNCHRO WORLD? Some skaters may be faced with the tough decision of possibly having to part with a team or with the sport altogether. Know that if you need to step away or take a break to experience things outside of the sport, it will be OK. I stepped away from the sport for quite a while – I went to college, I spent a year in a nature preserve teaching kids and rehabilitating birds of prey. I moved continents, developed new passions and met incredible people. Taking the risk to take a step back from what you know and love can lead to incredible new experiences and relationships. It has also deepened my love for Synchro and helped me find the joy in skating all over again. After all, distance makes the heart grow fonder. Life is like a trail in the woods – it may take you to some unexpected places, but it can always lead back to where you came from, if you so choose.  IF I’M PRACTICING BY MYSELF I LIKE TO USE HEADPHONES TO FOCUS AND MOTIVATE MYSELF. SYNCHRO NICE 159