Pictures by Melanie Heaney
On this Solo Q&A, study extra about Khloe Felton, a U.S. ice dancer who competes in Junior Solo Mixed. On the 2023 U.S. Solo Dance Championships, Felton completed fourth in Junior Solo Mixed and received the gold medal in Gold-Worldwide Shadow Dance with associate Jordan Brenne.
Inform us about how your skating journey started. What drew you to the ice? Do you could have any particular recollections?
Once I was 3 years previous my mother put me in Study to Skate as she was attempting all completely different sports activities to see what I would love. The membership has an annual Vacation Ice Revue which is what actually obtained me hooked. I obtained my first costume/costume and that was all it took. I really like performing. The lights, music, costumes and I used to be so excited each probability I obtained to carry out. The rink looks like dwelling. I’m snug on the ice and the determine skating neighborhood is my household. There have been so many memorable moments that simply solidify I’m the place I ought to be and skating is the suitable sport for me.
When and why did you select to do solo dance?
Once I was 7 years previous I began preliminary dance. Solo dance is a big a part of GKSA and nearly all of our members are in solo dance. I nonetheless competed freestyle as nicely till I actually had to decide on once I obtained to the upper ranges. I’m planning to check my Senior Freestyle this summer time so I’ve stored up with the opposite disciplines however Ice Dance is my ardour.
What do you want most about Solo Dance? What sort of music to you wish to skate to one of the best? Why?
Solo dance offers me a chance to carry out completely different applications with many alternative sorts of music, clothes, and so on. I wish to skate to all music however this yr has been particularly thrilling as I really like my freedance music (Eleanor Rigby) and it’s so enjoyable to carry out.
Inform us about your coaching website.
I practice in Kalamazoo Michigan at Wings Occasion Middle/Wings West and I’m a part of the J2S1 Solo Ice Dance Group coached by Jennifer Miller, Jennifer Heurlin-Brenne, Sarah Moreau, and Amy Czuhjewski. I couldn’t ask for a greater teaching workforce. All of them care a lot about every of their college students. We’re so fortunate to have this type of particular workforce of coaches in Kalamazoo. My shadow dance associate Jordan Brenne is my finest buddy, teammate and competitor. She is among the finest elements of this sport for me. We now have a lot enjoyable it doesn’t matter what we’re doing. I do off ice coaching with Dominique Passanante of Athletic Mentors she has been an incredible affect off the ice and actually helped me to know how necessary off ice coaching is to achieve success on the ice.
Who choreographed your applications. What do you want finest about dancing them?
Charlotte Maxwell Amos choreographed my rhythm and free dances this season. She additionally picked the free dance music. She did an incredible job. I’m so grateful for the time she put into these applications. Jennifer Miller and Jennifer Heurlin-Brenne additionally contributed to each applications as they all the time do. I’m so fortunate to have a workforce of coaches that actually cares about my success and continues to make enhancements all through out the season to those applications.
Solo Dance is now a global self-discipline this season? Share your ideas about this modification.
That is such an incredible alternative for solo dance. I’m so excited to see how this modification impacts the way forward for solo dance. It has opened up so many alternatives for solo dancers. I’m so excited to take part in worldwide competitions. s
In skating, what are you most wanting ahead to this season? What can be your largest problem(s)? I’m wanting ahead to what these applications will be by the top of the season. I really feel like they’re getting higher day by day, and I simply can’t wait to see the advance by the top of the season. My largest problem presently is getting the steps known as within the rhythm dance. The Rocker Foxtrot could be very laborious to do solo and my aim is to get them known as.
What do you suppose makes solo dance a particular self-discipline?
It permits for creativity and beauty and offers alternative for everybody to bop whether or not or not they’ve a dance associate. It’s such a chance for thus many skaters. I really feel honored to be a part of solo dance.
When you might have a lesson with any ice dancer previous/current, who wouldn’t it be? Why?
Tessa Advantage. She has a lot expression and presentation I beloved the Moulin Rouge free dance from the 2018 Olympics.
What are your favourite off-ice actions?
Spending time with associates, purchasing, power coaching, kayaking, and stress-free once in a while.
Please share anything you want to our readers to find out about you as a skater?
I really feel so fortunate to have discovered a sport that’s my ardour. Ice dance is a big a part of my life. I set a aim yearly to medal on the solo dance last and work very laborious to realize that aim. The buddies I’ve made by skating our life lengthy and I’m so fortunate to have discovered a neighborhood that brings such pleasure to my life.
