Ice Photography: Melanie Heaney
In this solo Q&A, you can learn more about James Koszuta, a former Team USA ice dancer and a competitor at the 2023 European Championships in Norway. He recently placed 4th at the 2024 Picken International in Washington, the first international solo dance event held in the United States
I started playing hockey when I was about 5 years old. After years of doing both, it turned out that skating was my true calling. One particular memory I have is the time my former partner and I won the U.S. Nationals in the novice level. This is our first season together and we’ve only been skating as a team for seven months, so it’s been a whirlwind, but a memorable season for me. This really solidified my belief as an ice dancer that I should be one of the best ice dancers in the country.
When and why did you choose to dance solo?
I have been dancing in pas de deux for about 10 years. After I broke up with my last partner, there was a small market for qualified partners, and I ended up focusing on improving my personal skills. When the season started I still wasn’t having any luck in the co-op world and I thought solo would be a fun new opportunity for me that would also keep me motivated and competitive.
What do you love most about dancing solo? What kind of music sounds best to you for skating? Why?
I love that I can really create something my own in my projects. I can go over every nuance and really personalize the plan to fit my personality. I like blues, rock, and some old songs from the 70s and 80s. This season has been the perfect transition to showcase my musical tastes, which I feel suit my skating style as well.
Tell us about your training website. (location, facilities, dance partners, classes, coaches, etc.)
I am currently training with a world-class coaching staff at the Ford Ice Center in Nashville. What I love most is the talent and diversity of the skaters and coaches, which makes the atmosphere in the arena unlike anything I have ever experienced. I come to practice every day and it’s a positive, encouraging environment that fosters success. It was great to see high-level ice dancers and freestyle skaters and I was happy to be able to train among them.
Who writes your show? What do you love most about dancing?
Wesley Campbell choreographed my free dance and Rob Peal performed my rhythm dance. What I love is that they bring two very different styles that pair perfectly with their given pieces. Rob helped me achieve a high energy rhythmic dance that contrasted with the melty and more casual feel of my free dance with Wesley.
Has the solo dance become an international event this season? Share your thoughts on this change.
I think that’s incredible for the skating community. I love that skaters have another avenue to achieve a high level of success and promote more competition within the solo dance community. I noticed a surge in growth last year with the shift to internationalization, and it was a perfect time for me personally to join as well.
In terms of skating, what are you most looking forward to this season? What is your biggest challenge?My biggest challenge was definitely the new elements in the solo that I had really never taken the time to try out as a partner skater. I love that it pushes me out of my comfort zone and makes me a better skater. I’m looking forward to seeing the growth at the end of the season compared to the beginning.
What do you think makes solo dance a special discipline?
There aren’t many traditional techniques for pairs performances like ice dancing and freestyle. You really have to work hard on the choreography to make something special, and rather than just a cool lift or jump highlight, it really forces you to be consistent with your skating, music, and overall performance.
If you could take a class with an ice dancer from the past/present, who would you choose? Why?
There are a lot of people like that and it’s incredible to work with them and see them in their element. I would love to take lessons with a dancer named Zach Donohue. I feel like he’s a strong skater like me and I’d love to learn more about that strength.
What is your favorite off-ice activity?
I loved the group class we had in the arena with Kori Ade. She always finds a way to make traditional workouts fun and interactive, keeping you on your toes and challenging different muscles throughout. I’m also a huge fan of hot yoga, which is a big reason I’ve been able to work together over the past decade to expand my flexibility and strength, as well as hone my mind and stay grounded. I do believe that no matter what you do, it’s one of the best things for your body and has helped me stay healthy and sharp.
Please share something else you’d like our readers to know about you as a skater.
I feel like one thing I bring to the table is that I’ve never been a traditional skater, and I like that about myself. My body is not at all natural for skating and I have to work on myself to become a more well-rounded skater. By playing hockey and skating together, I always drew strength from my physical strength and developed very strong plans. I started taking ice dancing seriously at the end of my 15th year when I met my coach Bianka. She transformed me from a casual freestyle/dancer to a mature and sophisticated ice dancer. Training myself to get to this point has been a slow and sometimes tedious road, but I’m grateful for the different styles and body types I bring to the skating world.
