Former competitive, adult skater and coach Suzie Flynn credits a lot to her years on the ice. She believes it was skating that led her to her singing career.
Her singing style, she will tell you, is a little bit "sweet" and a little bit "sassy.” Now with partner Stephen France, she is part of the Virginia-based acoustic duo "Suzie and Stephen" and finds joy in singing and performing every day.
"Our setup is simple: amps, speakers, some lights, acoustic guitar, Stephen and me," Flynn said. "We perform at wineries, breweries, the Hylton Performing Arts Center, restaurants and pubs. We are pretty open to where we are willing to go."
The bulk of their music is a modern country, but they also sing some rock and roll and other favorites.
"People love to sing ‘Sweet Home Alabama’ and ‘Country Roads,’ Flynn said. "We have some 80s and 90s tunes, but our goal is to choose music that tells stories."
Flynn particularly loves Tenille Towne's "Somebody's Daughter," about a girl standing on a street corner holding a sign. Flynn also enjoys singing Ingrid Andress's "More Hearts Than Mine."
"That one reminds me of how excited my family and friends would get when I brought a new guy to meet them," Flynn said. "We play songs that make people laugh and that tug at the heartstrings."
Growing up, Flynn was a member of the Salt City Figure Skaters (now the SC of Central New York) and competed in the Empire State Games and North Atlantic Regional Championships. She later competed at Adult Eastern Sectional and U.S. Adult Championships, especially enjoying the world of adult skating.
"For the first time in many years, I didn't worry about my age or my weight," Flynn said. "I just felt free."
Singing, however, was a dream and a goal she always kept close to her heart. With neck and back issues looming, Flynn knew her days of skating were numbered, and it opened the door to her new passion.
"I'm a born storyteller and performer," Flynn said. "I like to reach people and either entertain them so that I can take them away from any stress in their lives or tell a story they can relate to. The music flows through me. I can't explain it. I feel it. Although I am super proud of my figure skating accomplishments, I feel I am a far better singer and dancer off the ice. I relax more. Singing just comes naturally. It always has."
After working with a couple of rock bands, Flynn knew acoustic music was for her. While forming a new modern country band, she met her future partner, the lead guitarist for that band. Joining with France to share her music was a perfect fit.
"Stephen is amazing with sound," Flynn said. "He knows how to control the levels and balance everything to all the instruments, including my voice, to sound their best."
The two have future plans to perfect their show, form a band and write and record original songs.
"We call our choices sweet and sassy because they make you cry one minute, or we choose a tongue-in-cheek song to make you laugh the next," Flynn said.
She also credits her years in skating for helping her pursue life goals and, ultimately, her singing career.
"I hope people realize that putting a child into a sport like skating isn't about the Olympics," Flynn said. "I am all for dreaming and creating goals, but I hope parents and coaches help their skaters create more than one goal. Skating makes us physically and mentally stronger. The reason I am successful, organized and sassy and do what I do in life is because of skating."
She also believes it is never too late to go after your passions.
"The bottom line, don't live without a passion or a dream," Flynn said. "I'm not giving up on my singing, and I'll see how far it can take me. But where it all started? Figure skating. I am and always will be a figure skater."
