In this solo Q&A, you can learn more about Bella Danic, an American ice dancer who competes in the novice solo combined event. Photo by Melanie Heaney.
I started my skating journey when I was eight years old. I started skating and fell in love with the sport. When I was 9 years old, I started driving to Arctic Edge to take freestyle lessons with Lisa Kirby and Ann Barr. Before I became an ice dancer, I was a freestyler. One thing that draws me to the ice is expressing myself on the ice and performing for people. When I stepped on the ice, I felt right at home. One particular memory I have is when I made it to the solo finals for the first time. I competed in Utah and won my first dance competition! I made it to Nationals that day.
When and why did you choose to dance solo?
I chose to dance solo in 2021, but it will be 2023 when I really start participating in competitions. Dancing solo was the perfect opportunity to showcase my love for ice dance and compete in ice dance competitions.
What do you love most about dancing solo? What kind of music sounds best to you for skating? Why?
One thing I love about dancing solo is that you have the freedom to dance and decide your own music and your own skating style. My favorite type of skating music is upbeat jazz. This year I’m skating to Lady Gaga and Madonna, so it’s really fun to express myself and dance!
Tell us about your training website.
I train at the Arctic Edge Training Center in Canton, MI and at the Ice Cube in Ann Arbor. My head coaches are Greg Zuerlein and Dean Copely. I am a member of Solo Dance Advantage and also train at the Michigan Ice Dance Academy. I also co-choreographed with Charlotte Maxwell.
Who programmed your show. What do you love most about dancing?
Charlotte Maxwell choreographed my free dance this year. She’s a great choreographer and she really helps me tell a story while skating. Most importantly, she helps me enjoy my show. What I love most about my show is my dance moves because I can really use a lot of expression and dance.
This season the solo dance is now an international event. Share your thoughts on this change.
I think it’s exciting to go international as a solo dancer! I think it’s a great way to expand the sport of skating and the discipline of skating into a whole new area. I hope it continues to grow and get more and more people involved.
In terms of skating, what are you most looking forward to this season? What is your biggest challenge?
One thing I’m really excited about this season is competing in the solo dance finals and performing my program in the biggest competition of the season! One of my biggest challenges this year has been adjusting my mindset. I’m a perfectionist. In figure skating, it’s very difficult, almost impossible, to be perfect, so I’m learning how to control it and have fun while skating.
What do you think makes solo dance a special discipline?
I think what’s special about solo dancing is that you can compete on your own and you don’t have to have a partner to compete with. You can still express your love for ice dancing yourself.
If you could take a class with an ice dancer from the past/present, who would you choose? Why?
If I could take an ice dance class with any ice dancer, I would choose Tessa Virtue. She is a very good performer and her turns are very clean and have a deep edge when performing. I am also lucky enough to take classes with MIDA coaches. They have greatly helped me improve my dancing skills. They are all very talented ice dancers!
What is your favorite activity on the ice?
My favorite things to do on the ice are spending time with my family and traveling to Northern Michigan. I also enjoy writing and reading.
Please share anything else you’d like our readers to know about you as a skater?
I took a chance and tried out for the Hockett Junior Figure Skating Team, and I made it! I love being a part of a high-level figure skating team and my teammates and coaches are great! I’m looking forward to playing this season.
