Photos by Melanie Heaney
In this Solo Q&A, you can learn more about Khloe Felton, an American ice dancer who competes in the Junior Mixed Solo competition. At the 2023 U.S. Solo Dance Championships, Felton placed fourth in the Youth Solo Team competition and won an International Shadow Dance gold medal with partner Jordan Brenne.
Tell us how your skating journey began. What drew you to the ice? Any special memories?
My mom got me into skating when I was three because she was trying out all different sports to see what I liked. The club hosts the Holiday Ice Burlesque Show every year, which is what really gets me. I got my first dress/costume and that was it. I love performing. The lights, the music, the costumes, I get so excited every time I get the chance to perform. The rink feels like home. I feel comfortable on the ice and the figure skating community is my family. There are many unforgettable moments that have reinforced in my mind that I am where I am supposed to be and that skating is the sport for me.
When and why did you choose to dance solo?
I started junior dance when I was 7 years old. Solo dance is an important part of GKSA and most of our members dance solo. I still competed in freestyle until I got to the next level and really had to make a choice. I plan on testing my senior freestyle this summer, so I’ve been keeping up with other events, but ice dancing is my passion.
What do you love most about dancing solo? What kind of music sounds best to you for skating? Why?
Dancing solo gives me the opportunity to perform different numbers with a lot of different music, costumes, etc. I love skating to all music, but this year is especially exciting because I love my free dance music (Eleanor Rigby) and it’s so much fun to perform.
Tell us about your training website.
I train at Wings Activity Center/Wings West in Kalamazoo, MS and am a member of the J2S1 Ice Solo Team, coached by Jennifer Miller, Jennifer Heurlin-Brenne, Sarah Moreau and Amy Czuhjewski. I couldn’t ask for a better coaching staff. They all care deeply about every student. We are blessed to have such a special coaching staff in Kalamazoo. My shadow dance partner, Jordan Bren, is my best friend, teammate, and competitor. To me, she is one of the best parts of the sport. No matter what we were doing, we were having fun. I did ice training with Dominique Passanante from Sports Mentors and she had an amazing impact on the ice and really helped me understand the importance of ice training to be successful on the ice.
Who programmed your show. What do you love most about dancing?
Charlotte Maxwell Amos choreographed my rhythm and free dances this season. She also picked out free dance music. She did an amazing job. I am so grateful for the time she invests in these projects. Jennifer Miller and Jennifer Heurlin-Brenne also contributed to both projects as always. I am blessed to have a coaching staff that truly cares about my success and continues to improve the programs throughout the season.
Has the solo dance become an international event this season? Share your thoughts on this change.
This is a great opportunity to dance solo. I’m excited to see how this change affects the future of solo dance. It offers many opportunities for solo dancers. I am very happy to compete internationally. s
In terms of skating, what are you most looking forward to this season? What is your biggest challenge? I’m excited to see what these shows will look like by the end of the season. I feel like they’re improving every day and I can’t wait to see the improvement at the end of the season. My biggest challenge right now is calling the steps in a rhythm dance. Rock and roll foxtrots are difficult to do alone and my goal is to get them called.
What do you think makes solo dance a special discipline?
It allows for creativity and elegance and provides everyone with the opportunity to dance, whether they have a partner or not. This is an opportunity for many skaters. I was honored to be a part of the solo dance.
If you could take a class with a past/present ice dancer, who would you choose? Why?
Tessa Virtue. Her expressions and performance are so rich and I loved her Moulin Rouge free dance at the 2018 Olympics.
What is your favorite off-ice activity?
Spending time with friends, shopping, strength training, canoeing and just relaxing every now and then.
Please share anything else you’d like our readers to know about you as a skater?
I’m lucky enough to have found a sport that I love. Ice dancing is a big part of my life. I set a goal every year to win a medal in the solo finals and work hard to achieve that goal. I’ve met so many friends through skating and I’m so lucky to have found a community that brings so much joy to my life.
