Tell us about how your skating journey began. What drew you to the ice? Do you have any special memories? 
I started skating when I was 3, at Friday night public sessions with my family. Eventually, my parents put me in learn to skate lessons and then private lessons so that I could start competing at four. I loved skating to Disney music when I was really little.

When and why did you choose to do solo dance?
I started taking dance lessons with my coach when I was seven, after watching my dad compete rhythm blues. I wanted to try it too. In 2021, my coach thought I should try competing preliminary patterns. 

What do you like most about Solo Dance? What kind of music to you like to skate to the best? Why? 
I like that Solo Dance is really challenging, but it also allows me to be myself, especially in my free Dance. I like skating to upbeat music and my favorite genre is disco. 

Tell us about your training site. 
I live in Northwest Florida and our ice time is seasonal (October to March) and extremely limited so I just like to practice anywhere I can find ice! In the off season, the closest ice is 4-6 hours away. We travel every 3 to 4 weeks to northern Virginia to train with my coaches there. Ashburn Ice House is amazing because there are two sheets of ice and plenty of freestyle sessions all day long (sometimes Dance Only sessions) as well as off ice dance classes like Ballet and jazz and hip hop. I like watching the higher level dance teams when they are practicing. The rinks I train at in central Florida are also really nice, and a bonus is that they are close to Disney World! 

Who choreographed your programs. What do you like best about dancing them?
Alper Ucar and Katrina Shalin choreographed my Freedance. I also work with Jimmie Manners to add extra details into my programs. I like all the disco moves in this year’s Freedance. I have so much fun trying to make the judges smile. 

Solo Dance is now an international discipline. Share your thoughts about this.
I think the sport is going in the right direction. I hope someday I’ll be able to represent Team USA as a solo dancer! 

In skating, what are you most looking forward to this season? What will be your biggest challenge(s)?
I’m having so much fun this season, because it feels like everything is really starting to click. I’m only focused on improving my scores and doing the best I can! I like traveling to new places to compete. We try to make these trips into mini vacations. 

What do you think makes solo dance a special discipline?
The creativity and precision it requires. 

If you could have a lesson with any ice dancer past/present, who would it be? Why?
Madison Chock and Evan Bates. They are so creative with their program themes and elements. 

What are your favorite off-ice activities?
I like playing video games, playing chess, gymnastics and stand up paddle boarding. 

Please share anything else you would like our readers to know about you as a skater?
The first season I competed in the solo dance series, I used Raining Tacos as my canasta tango music at nationals. Respectfully, sometimes the music deduction is worth it!