Photographs by Melanie Heaney
On this Solo Q&A, be taught 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’ve got any particular recollections?
Once I was 3 years outdated my mother put me in Be taught to Skate as she was making an attempt all totally different sports activities to see what I would love. The membership has an annual Vacation Ice Revue which is what actually acquired me hooked. I acquired my first gown/costume and that was all it took. I like performing. The lights, music, costumes and I used to be so excited each likelihood I acquired to carry out. The rink seems like house. I’m snug on the ice and the determine skating group is my household. There have been so many memorable moments that simply solidify I’m the place I needs to be and skating is the proper sport for me.
When and why did you select to do solo dance?
Once I was 7 years outdated I began preliminary dance.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 effectively till I actually had to decide on once I acquired 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 prefer to skate to one of the best? Why?
Solo dance provides me a possibility to carry out totally different packages with many alternative sorts of music, attire, and many others. I prefer to skate to all music however this yr has been particularly thrilling as I 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 Crew coached by Jennifer Miller, Jennifer Heurlin-Brenne, Sarah Moreau, and Amy Czuhjewski. I couldn’t ask for a greater teaching staff. All of them care a lot about every of their college students. We’re so fortunate to have this sort of particular staff of coaches in Kalamazoo. My shadow dance associate Jordan Brenne is my finest buddy, teammate and competitor. She is without doubt one of the finest components of this sport for me. We have now 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 a tremendous affect off the ice and actually helped me to grasp how necessary off ice coaching is to achieve success on the ice.
Who choreographed your packages. 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 a tremendous job. I’m so grateful for the time she put into these packages. Jennifer Miller and Jennifer Heurlin-Brenne additionally contributed to each packages as they all the time do. I’m so fortunate to have a staff of coaches that actually cares about my success and continues to make enhancements all through out the season to those packages.
Solo Dance is now a world self-discipline this season? Share your ideas about this alteration.
That is such a tremendous alternative for solo dance. I’m so excited to see how this alteration 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 might be your largest problem(s)? I’m wanting ahead to what these packages may be by the top of the season. I really feel like they’re getting higher day-after-day, and I simply can’t wait to see the development 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 onerous to do solo and my objective is to get them known as.
What do you suppose makes solo dance a particular self-discipline?
It permits for creativity and beauty and provides alternative for everybody to bop whether or not or not they’ve a dance associate. It’s such a possibility for therefore many skaters. I really feel honored to be a part of solo dance.
Should 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 pals, procuring, power coaching, kayaking, and stress-free once in a while.
Please share anything you desire 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 objective yearly to medal on the solo dance ultimate and work very onerous to attain that objective. The buddies I’ve made via skating our life lengthy and I’m so fortunate to have discovered a group that brings such pleasure to my life.
