Photo by Digital Photo Events

In this Solo Q&A, learn more about Amy Jane Cable, an intermediate novice ice dancer from Great Britain. Eurydice trains with Jodie O’Keefe in Gosport and Romford, England. Follow Amy Jane’s ice dance journey via her Instagram @Icedancer_amy.

Tell us about how your skating journey began. What drew you to the ice? Do you have any special memories? 

I was a toddler and there used to be a Tampax advert on the TV that showed an ice skater doing a Biellman spin and everytime it came on I would stop what I was doing and tell my mum ”I do that mumma!”  On my third birthday my parents took us, as a family to the local rink and within a couple of minutes, I’d got rid of my penguin and was off around the rink.  (We have the video of my first time on the ice).  After that my mum took me every Sunday afternoon to the public session and one of the local teenagers used to pick me up if I went over. It was shortly before my fifth birthday that I had my first private lesson and I’ve continued working to become a competitive skater ever since.

When and why did you choose to do solo dance? 

I was late to ice dance, with the 2025/2026 season being my third.  I had to start straight at Basic Novice and take all the pattern and free dance tests just to be able to enter.  I qualified for the British Championships in the first season and have managed to do so since.  I competed in at Intermediate Novice for the first time this season and finished in 16th place overall with my scores much improved on the previous year.

What do you like most about Solo Dance?

I love the performance side most of all.

What kind of music to you like to skate to the best and why?

I tend to stick to slower more dramatic pieces that have a story to them. I have been told I am graceful and balletic when I skate so the slower more classical pieces suit my style.

Tell us about your training site.

I am fortunate to be able to train at both Gosport and Romford rinks.  I took ballet and gymnastics growing up and have off ice dance an fitness classes each week.  I also do pilates for stretching every day.  I regularly attend Ice dace camps. Recently I attended Yebin Mok’s camp in Sheffield and Phillip Poole’s camp in Romford.

Who choreographed your programs. What do you like best about dancing them? 

My main coach, Jodie O’Keefe, choreographs my routines.  I love how she explains the story behind the pieces of music so I can build a picture in my mind of how to portray the story with my movements and expression.

Please share some of your solo dance accomplishments. 

I’m very proud of myself for passing 11 exams in less than six months to be able to start my ice dance journey in the first instance.  Since then I have managed a Top 10 finish in Blackburn for my Freedance in my second season. I have performed at the opening of several of the Christmas rinks along the South coast and on a trip to New York at Christmas I was given the opportunity to skate solo on the Wellman Rink in Central Park.   

Solo Dance is now an international discipline. Have you competed internationally?

I haven’t competed Internationally yet but this is planned for the new season.

In skating, what are you most looking forward to this season?

Looking forward to improving on this past season and performing my new programme. 

What will be your biggest challenges?

Patterns, I think it’s always patterns.  Learning the dances is the easy bit, getting them technically correct is a whole other thing.  Then making it look effortless is what I strive for.  I love the challenge though.

What is your favorite pattern dance and why is it your favorite? 

Mine’s the Foxtrot.  I think because it suits my style and delivery the most.  I do like all the Waltzes as well for the same reason.

What do you think makes solo dance a special discipline? 

I had no idea how technical the discipline was and had a steep learning curve on starting out.  The curve is still pointing upwards but I know what I’m trying to achieve now.  When it’s delivered well it’s beautiful to do and watch.

What are you short-term and long-term goals in solo dance?

Short term I want to be British Champion, at least once but more than once if possible.  Long term, I’d like to coach eventually.

What are some of the challenges in solo dance? The cost can be prohibitive and there are very few financial grants etc for a solo athlete. 

If you could have a lesson with any ice dancer past/present, who would it be?

Tessa Virtue because I love her style and technical ability.

What are your favorite off-ice activities? 

Pilates and the gym.

Please share anything else you would like our readers to know about you as a skater?

I love this sport and have made so many friends and connections across the globe since I started on this journey.  I love chatting online to my fellow competitors and it’s fun to spend time with them when we compete.  In my experience, everyone has been kind and welcoming since I started to compete and I look forward to seeing everyone again when the new season starts.