On this Solo Q&A, study extra about Bella Danic, a U.S. ice dancer who competes within the novice solo mixed occasion. Images by Melanie Heaney.
Inform us about how your skating journey started. What drew you to the ice? Do you may have any particular reminiscences?
My skating journey started once I was eight years outdated. I began in study to skate and fell in love with the game. After I was 9, I began driving right down to Arctic Edge for freestyle classes with Lisa Kirby and Ann Barr. I used to be a freestyler earlier than I grew to become an ice dancer. One factor that drew me to the ice was getting to precise myself on the ice and performing for individuals. After I step on the ice I really feel at residence. One particular reminiscence I’ve is once I made it to Solo Dance Finals for the primary time. I used to be in Utah competing and gained my first dance competitors! I made it to Nationals that day.
When and why did you select to do solo dance?
I selected to do solo dance in 2021, however I actually began to compete in 2023. I selected to do solo dance as a result of I fell in love with ice dance and I didn’t really feel prepared for a companion however I nonetheless needed to compete. Solo Dance was an ideal alternative to indicate my love for ice dance and to compete in it.
What do you want most about Solo Dance? What sort of music to you prefer to skate to the perfect? Why?
One factor I really like about Solo Dance is that you just get to do a free dance the place you get to determine your individual music and your individual style of skating. My favourite sort of music to skate to is upbeat jazzy music. This yr I’m skating to Girl Gaga and Madonna so it’s actually enjoyable to precise myself and dance!
Inform us about your coaching web site.
I prepare at Arctic Edge Coaching Middle in Canton, Michigan and in addition on the Ann Arbor Ice Dice. My head coaches are Greg Zuerlein and Dean Copely. I’m part of the Solo Dance Benefit and I additionally prepare with Michigan Ice Dance Academy. I additionally work with Charlotte Maxwell for choreography.
Who choreographed your packages. What do you want greatest about dancing them?
Charlotte Maxwell choreographed my free dance this yr. She is a superb choreographer and she or he actually helps me to inform a narrative once I skate. Most significantly she helps me to get pleasure from my packages. My favourite factor about my program is my Choreo Step as a result of I actually get to make use of numerous expression and I get to bounce.
Solo Dance is now a world self-discipline this season. Share your ideas about this modification.
I feel it’s actually thrilling that solo dance goes worldwide! I feel it’s a good way to broaden the game and this self-discipline of skating to a complete new space. I hope that it’ll proceed to develop and increasingly more individuals get into it.
In skating, what are you most trying ahead to this season? What might be your greatest problem(s)?
One factor that I’m actually excited for this season goes to Solo Dance Finals and to carry out my packages on the greatest competitors of the season! One in all my greatest challenges this yr was engaged on my mindset. I’m a perfectionist. Being within the sport of determine skating it’s very onerous to be good, just about unattainable, so I’m studying the way to management that and to simply have enjoyable once I skate.
What do you suppose makes solo dance a particular self-discipline?
I feel what makes solo dance tremendous particular is that you just get to compete by your self and also you don’t should have a companion to compete. You continue to get to indicate your love for ice dance by your self.
For those who may have a lesson with any ice dancer previous/current, who wouldn’t it be? Why?
If I may have an ice dance lesson with any ice dancer I’d select Tessa Advantage. She is such an excellent performer and she or he has very clear turns and deep edges whereas nonetheless performing. I’m additionally so fortunate that I get to take classes with the MIDA coaches. They’ve helped me enhance my dance expertise a lot. They’re all such proficient ice dancers!
What are your favourite off-ice actions?
My favourite off ice actions are spending time with my household and going to Northern Michigan. I additionally get pleasure from writing and studying.
Please share the rest you want to our readers to learn about you as a skater?
I took an opportunity and tried out for the Hockettes Junior Synchronized Skating Group and I made it! I’m loving being part of a excessive degree synchronized skating staff and my teammates and coaches are superb! I’m trying ahead to competing this season.