Photographs by Daphne Backman
Two years into their partnership, Amy Cui and Jonathan Rogers are starting to see simply how a lot is feasible collectively. From overcoming accidents and monetary challenges to incomes their first Challenger Collection project, the American ice dancers have continued to develop each on and off the ice. On this interview, they focus on their evolving partnership, inventive course of, and the objectives driving them into the brand new season.
In the first IDC interview in 2024, you had been nonetheless a comparatively new partnership. Now that you just’ve had two full seasons collectively, how would you describe how your workforce dynamic has developed?
Amy Cui (AC): Wow, it actually has been two full seasons collectively! I bear in mind after we first started skating collectively, I got here in with no expectations. I used to be simply stepping right into a partnership with somebody I felt genuinely excited and hopeful to skate with. Trying again over the previous two years, I believe I’ve realized simply how infinite ice dance might be. I solely had a glimpse of this world whereas competing as a junior for one season. Now with extra expertise, I really feel like there’s a lot extra to do, a lot extra to create. I really feel like Jonathan and I’ve solely scratched the floor of what we are able to create collectively, so in a approach, the naive preliminary pleasure has developed right into a stronger conviction within the good that’s but to return.
Trying again at the final two seasons, what had been some of the key moments or competitions that actually helped form your partnership thus far?
Jonathan Rogers (JR): Each our first Nationals and this previous Nationals stand out to me as a result of they had been such totally different experiences. We had been coping with accidents and different challenges, so every one carried its personal significance.
Our first Nationals was particularly memorable as a result of we had a reasonably good season main as much as it, and the free dance was one in every of our strengths. We positively fall into the class of being free dance skaters—we love performing, entertaining, and telling tales. Swan Lake was a program we actually believed in, very like White Crow, which additionally performed to our strengths and felt very private to us.
This previous Nationals was particular for a unique motive. I felt like we linked extra and had been capable of lean on one another in a approach we hadn’t earlier than. Deep down, we knew we needed to skate our greatest, however there was additionally a way that we had one thing to show to ourselves. We needed to face the problem that had affected us the yr earlier than and present that we may overcome it.
And we did. We pulled ourselves collectively, supported each other, and relied on our partnership. It felt like an necessary second in solidifying that partnership and, in some methods, therapeutic from what occurred with Swan Lake.
Each workforce goes by means of studying curves in the early years. What had been some challenges you confronted collectively, and the way did working by means of them strengthen your partnership?
AC: Determine skating is dear, and to start with, not each workforce has entry to the identical degree of assist and sources. After our first season collectively, I had the respect of receiving the 2025-2026 Mabel Fairbanks Scholarship fund. It was great in offering us with the assist to fund aggressive alternatives overseas and canopy coaching bills at dwelling final season.
Heading into this subsequent season, the monetary stress stays, however we attempt to put our heads down and concentrate on what we are able to management. I believe it’s strengthened our resolve to make issues work. And when there are challenges, there’s a mutual understanding that we’re in it collectively—I obtained you, and you bought me.
JR: One of many largest challenges we’ve confronted is knowing find out how to present up for one another. We every want various things from each other as companions, and throughout the creation of this season’s packages, we’ve gotten significantly better at figuring out extra of what every particular person must really feel supported and assist them do their job. It’s helped reinforce that we’re on the identical workforce and dealing towards the identical objectives. Amy and I are very totally different individuals. We method skating otherwise, and our personalities are very totally different as nicely. That’s really an excellent factor as a result of these variations deliver distinctive concepts and strengths to the partnership.
Your packages over the previous two seasons have had very totally different types—from the disco- impressed rhythm dance to the dramatic Black Swan free dance and your 2025-26 free dance to “The White Crow”. How do you method selecting music that fits each of you?
AC: I believe the very best outcomes come from going into music choice with an open thoughts. We by no means actually got here in with a set plan or thought; it was merely about exploring what made us really feel one thing. The ultimate music alternative by no means seems to be what I first anticipated. It’s so unpredictable, so I type of search for no matter conjures up me. I discovered to not develop connected to anyone piece and depart simply house to let the music develop on me.
JR: We spend a while feeling music out. I really like scrolling by means of Spotify and YouTube, however I normally don’t discover one thing that actually sticks with me or conjures up a whole free dance. For our previous free dances, although, it has virtually all the time come from another person suggesting an thought. Somebody will say, ‘What in case you skated to this?’ and it simply finally ends up being the right match. For instance, Igor had already picked out White Crow for us and mentioned, ‘What in case you skated to White Crow?’ We listened and instantly thought, ‘Yeah, that sounds nice.’
The identical factor occurred with this yr’s free dance. We went to work with Kaitlin Weaver, and he or she mentioned, ‘I watched this film the opposite day—what in case you did this as a program?’ We checked out one another and thought, ‘Yeah, that sounds nice.’
Which components of your packages are the most enjoyable for you to carry out, and which are probably the most difficult?
AC: I completely ADORE our free dance choreographic step sequence! I believe it actually exhibits our versatility as a workforce and as performers. We had such an exquisite time collaborating with Kaitlyn Weaver, who initially proposed our Sinners program idea. She helped us weave our personal touches into the choreography, and the remainder all got here very naturally. With our free dance this yr, we get to play characters which are considerably unsettling and unnatural. This system is exterior something I’ve gotten to do earlier than, so I’m very excited to placed on that character and step into that world.
JR: In our free dance, I’m taking part in a creep and it’s so totally different from the characters I’ve portrayed in previous seasons. I believe the start, particularly, it’s so bizarre and so uncomfortable. The choreographic step sequence is so multi-dimensional has so many enjoyable little shapes and nuances. It’s harking back to a southern jig or barn dance. It’s tough, a bit edgy and so quick paced. It’s an absolute blast.
As for probably the most difficult, I believe it’s positively going to be the Golden Waltz. It’s not one thing we’re used to. That’s an space we’ll actually should drill this season. The opposite problem could also be our twizzles, merely due to the place they’re positioned within the free dance. They arrive close to the tip, with very fast-paced music and a few tough shapes.
What are your ideas on the Golden Waltz and the sample returning to the Rhythm Dance subsequent season?
AC: I had my one expertise competing within the Rocker Foxtrot in Junior…and that’s the extent of my obligatory dance expertise. The Golden Waltz is a completely totally different beast, however I prefer to suppose that with out prior years of obligatory habits to unlearn, I can method it with a clean slate.
JR: I like the thought. I really like waltzes. I believe they’re so stunning, and so they’re so enjoyable to skate, particularly among the harder worldwide sample dances. Particularly, competing the Golden Waltz, it’s been a tough dance to study thus far. It’ll positively present who has had extra sample dance expertise. Some skaters have had a few years of doing sample dances in competitors, then there are individuals like myself who solely had a couple of years of competing sample dances.
Hopefully the viewers shall be equally, if no more, entertained. On the very least, they might have a greater understanding of what’s occurring out on the ice.
You competed at your first ISU Challenger Collection occasion final Fall, what was this expertise like and what’s going to you’re taking from it to gas you for subsequent season?
AC: I’m so grateful to have had the chance on the Tallinn Trophy. I believe Jonathan and I had been each so excited to skate that we type of let that get forward of us within the rhythm dance. Clearly, I’m not blissful in regards to the mistake. We got here in with none expectations, no nerves—simply to place out our greatest. This yr, I need to proceed specializing in us, with maybe extra management over among the pleasure.
JR: I felt like I used to be making it to the large leagues. It was a kind of milestones you all the time speak about, after which instantly you’re there considering, ‘Oh my gosh, we lastly did it.’ It was such a tremendous expertise, and I actually hope to return. It wasn’t as intimidating as I anticipated a Challenger Collection competitors to be. I believe we felt actually ready stepping into, which was an excellent factor.
What I’d prefer to take from that have into subsequent season is reducing the nerves a bit bit. Although I used to be having the time of my life and was so excited, that pleasure additionally made me anxious as a result of it instantly felt very actual.
At first of this new Olympic quad, Jonathan, you launched a GoFundMe to assist assist your skating. Can you inform us extra about why you began it and what some of your monetary challenges have been for the previous few years?
Releasing the GoFundMe was extremely tough for me as a result of asking for monetary assist feels so private and weak. You begin questioning why anybody would need to spend money on your dream, particularly once you don’t really feel such as you’ve ‘made it’ but. However I’ve reached some extent in my profession the place I can’t let worry of judgment stand in the way in which of continuous to chase this. Skating is my world, and whereas asking for assistance is uncomfortable, typically it’s needed.
Monetary hardship has formed almost each a part of my skating journey. After I switched to ice dance in 2019, my largest objective was merely to make it to Nationals—and I did. However round that very same time, my dad and mom sat me down and instructed me we may now not afford for me to skate in any respect. At 16, listening to that felt like watching my total world shatter in actual time. My household labored tirelessly to maintain me on the ice. We went into debt, my dad and mom took on further jobs and labored on the rink for ice credit, and as quickly as I used to be legally in a position, I began working too.
We finally discovered a approach to make it work for some time, however life saved throwing challenges at my household—sudden setbacks, well being struggles, and monetary burdens that made an already tough state of affairs even more durable. By means of all of it, my dad and mom have continued to do all the things they will simply to remain afloat whereas nonetheless serving to me pursue each skating and college.
This journey has additionally formed the way in which I view cash and maturity. I’m 23, and there have been occasions I’ve lived on the naked minimal simply to maintain coaching. It may possibly really feel like I’m attempting to stability maturity whereas chasing a dream that calls for all the things from you—financially, emotionally, and bodily.
On the identical time, I’m extremely grateful for the individuals who have proven up for me alongside the way in which. Whether or not by means of recommendation, emotional encouragement, or monetary assist, their perception in me means greater than I can put into phrases. My dad and mom taught me the significance of giving again to the neighborhood that helps you, and I hope sooner or later I can do the identical. I don’t take any of this evenly. Each little bit of assist is an enormous a part of why I’m nonetheless right here, nonetheless skating, and nonetheless combating for this dream.
What is one thing followers may not understand about your partnership or your coaching collectively?
AC: We snort a LOT. I really feel like I’ve mentioned this earlier than, however Jonathan is genuinely hilarious. It’s so refreshing to be in a partnership the place we are able to activate a swap and lock in, but in addition nonetheless have our moments of lightness.
What do you hope audiences and followers begin to acknowledge as the distinctive qualities of your partnership?
AC: We each love to bounce and to entertain. I hope that audiences and followers get to really feel and expertise a few of that love by means of our partnership 🙂
JR: I hope audiences and followers acknowledge the flexibility of our talents. Up to now two seasons, our free dances had been very balletic, and we all know we are able to hit sturdy traces and delightful positions. This yr’s free dance goes to be totally different— extra edgy, and fewer centered on crisp traces. We need to present we are able to do multiple type. Regardless, we wish audiences to know they’ll be entertained. I believe we’ve finished job of that thus far, and this yr shall be no exception.
