Photos provided by Natasha Griffin

In this Solo Q&A, learn more about Natasha Griffin, a senior ice dancer from Great Britain who finished third at the 2024 Unicorn Trophy and the Solo Dance International in Finland. 

Tell us about how your skating journey began.
When I was 3 years old my parents took me to watch a Ice Skating show at our local ice rink around Christmas time. I was absolutely amazed by the show, so after that I said to my parents that’s what I wanted to do, and I wanted to learn to ice skate! At that point we didn’t ever imagine that it would lead to where it has now- which is kinda crazy to think!

When and why did you choose to do solo dance?
I started Solo Dance in 2019 after I had injured my ankle on a skate camp abroad! Before that I only competed in free skating as at the time my coach didn’t believe I should do ice dance as well, but due to my ankle injury I started ice dance as it meant I was able to return back to the ice sooner! Within the first year of doing it I had decided I didn’t enjoy free skating anymore and solo ice dance is what I wanted to do! It was a whole new world of skating to me as I really enjoyed the creative and artistic side of it that I never had in free skating. I remember my first solo dance programme I thought would be really easy because there were no jumps and less spins- but I got to the end and realised how much harder the programme was to get through!

What do you like most about Solo Dance? What kind of music to you like to skate to the best? Why? The thing I enjoy the most about solo dance is definitely the performance side of it- and the freedom of movement you have during a programme! I like skating to fun, upbeat and dramatic pieces of music! Since I was younger I have always picked strong and fast music as that’s what has always fitted my skating style and personality the best. However, I do really enjoy skating to tango style music too. This year, I did decide to challenge myself by skating to something a slower dramatic pierce of music for the first half of my free dance- which has really helped me grow as a skater and I’ve really enjoyed it too.

Tell us about your training site. (Location, facilities, dance mates, classes, coaches, etc.)
Almost a year ago I decided to start training in Sheffield in the U.K. I Live in the South nearer to London and we commute 3-4 hours drive every week to get to Sheffield for training- as we decided that’s where I had to be for me to continue to grow as a skater. At the rink we have a gym across the road so after training we are able to go straight across to the gym for off ice training later in the day- which is great! At the rink I have a team of coaches that work with me on ice and as well as off ice.

Who choreographed your programs. What do you like best about dancing them?
My programmes were choreographed by my head Coach Yebin Mok. I love the fun style of my RD choreography and my favourite part is the start of my PST where I do a skid stop on 1 leg leaning backwards! When we first choreographed this it was scarybut now it’s one of my favourite parts! In my FD we had lots of fun choreographing the 2nd song of the programme- in the choreographic steps- playing around with using the barrier and a floor section too! It is definitely one of my favourite parts of my free dance now!

Solo Dance is now an international discipline this season? Share your thoughts about this change. When this was first announced, I could not believe it. It has definitely been long overdue though. This season I have really enjoyed travelling to other countries meeting other solo dancers from other countries! I cannot wait to see where this discipline goes in the future!

In skating, what are you most looking forward to this season? What will be your biggest challenge(s)?
This season it was my first season moving up into seniors after competing in juniors last year, so my biggest challenge was having to step it up into seniors into a bigger and much tougher category. This season I was looking forward to being able to travel and compete in multiple countries as it was a completely new experience.

What do you think makes solo dance a special discipline?
Solo dance is special in its own way- it’s not just a pathway for skaters looking for a partner it means you don’t have to skate with a partner if you want to do ice dance which I think is great as it makes the sport more inclusive to everyone.

If you could have a lesson with any ice dancer past/present, who would it be? Why?
I would love to have a lessons with Madison Chock as I just love the way she skates and the flow of movement she has in her programs, and every movement she creates a clear beautiful line.

What are your favorite off-ice activities?
When I’m off the ice I really enjoy going out for long walks with my dog. As I don’t get to spend as much time as I’d like to with my dog so I really enjoy being able to take him out!