In this personal Q&A, you can learn more about Jade Wöhler, an advanced ice dancer from the Netherlands who trains in the Foy ice dance program at Deen Figure Skating Club. Photo courtesy of Pietures.
Tell us how your skating journey began. What draws you to the ice? Any special memories?
I started figure skating when I was 6.5 years old (I had skated before, but since I could only hold my mother’s hand, I had to wait a while before I started). I started skating because my sister skated too (she still does), and because I looked up to her, I wanted to do everything she did. I didn’t actually enjoy the classes at first, but my only friends were at the rink, so I continued, and the longer I skated, the more I started to fall in love with this amazing sport. My favorite memory is the lessons I took with Wouter Toledo, he provided me with amazing support on and off the ice and I will never forget him (unfortunately he passed away in 2018).
When and why did you choose to dance solo?
About eight years ago I took some ice dancing lessons with Ashley Foy Tervoort. I really enjoyed the classes, but when another trainer took over, it got really boring, so I decided it wasn’t for me. For a while I was taught by Rita Koen (I still take some classes with her from time to time) and she really helped me improve my edge and learn more technically, she taught me all the basics . I’m really grateful to her for always believing in me and helping me become a better skater and person. Later, I started getting more and more injuries from the sheer impact of jumping (hurt faster because I have hypermobile Ehlers-Danlos Syndrome), which made me afraid to jump (I even Thoughts about quitting the sport altogether), this happened shortly before Ashley started taking solo lessons in Alkmaar (early 2024). The moment I found out about these classes, I was really excited, so I joined. Dancing solo is less impactful on my joints, which allows me to train more and reduce injuries.
What do you love most about dancing solo? What is your favorite type of music to skate to? Why?
I’ve always loved practicing my skating skills, doing challenging choreography, competitions are fun, solo dancing and everything! I like skating to music so you can skate with gentle ballet-like movements, but I don’t like the typical classical music selection, I like music that not everyone knows (I think it’s nice to do the same thing as other people Boring) I hope the judges don’t fall asleep while looking at me because they’ve seen it before and I think then looked up and admired it.
Now I train in Alkmaar (Netherlands) with my coach Ashley Foytford, she makes ice dancing fun and constantly challenges me to become a better ice dancer. Right now I only take ice dance classes once or twice a week (and I train on my own twice a week), but I hope to have more classes next year (not much choice right now as I also figure skate with Alkmaar The club practices together for the end of year show).
Who writes your show? What do you like most about them?
My choreographer is also Ashley; we are currently working on finishing my free dance, which will be based on Max Frisch’s book/play “Andorra” (which will be very different from all my previous shows , but it’s an amazing concept and I hope others will enjoy it too). Hanna Jakucs and Alessio Galli also helped me practice my free dance by adding arm movements and correcting some of my steps. We’ll be starting my rhythm dance soon, so I’ll be ready when the competition starts. I think Ashley is an incredible coach and choreographer and it’s been a pleasure working with her since I’ve known her for a long time.
This season the solo dance is now an international event. Share your thoughts on this change.
Solo dancing is an amazing discipline that makes ice dance accessible to skaters who can’t find or need a partner, and it’s also great for skaters who don’t dance for various reasons. It’s great to see more and more skaters (including me) rediscovering their love for skating as a result. While I’m glad it’s become an international sport now, I do think a lot of skaters would have benefited if it had happened earlier.
In terms of skating, what are you most looking forward to this season? What is your biggest challenge?
I’m really looking forward to competing again and I hope the Netherlands hosts more than one solo dance competition so I have more opportunities to compete nearby. The biggest challenge may be navigating a new solo dance circuit.
What do you think makes solo dance a special discipline?
It’s a relatively new discipline, so there aren’t that many solo dancers yet, but I think it will also be one of the fastest growing disciplines.
If you could take a class with an ice dancer from the past/present, who would you choose? Why?
The truth is, I don’t have a specific ice dancer that I learn from. To be honest, I would love to take classes with just about any ice dancer, everyone has a different perspective and opinion, which all helps me in different ways. If I had to choose one person, I would like to take more classes with Sherim van Geffen. He really helped me and hopefully he can teach me more next season.
What is your favorite off-ice activity?
I love dancing ballet and have been doing it almost my whole life since I was four years old (I did take some breaks because I just didn’t have enough time). I think my ballet experience definitely contributed to my appearance as a skater. In my free time I also volunteer at a local hedgehog rescue (about once a week) where I give them their medications and make sure they are doing okay. I really like to stay productive and do useful things when possible.
