Above: Jordan Brenne and Khloe Felton compete in the gold international shadow dance event. Photo Credit: KRPhotogs Photography
By Troy Schwindt
Each year, the Greater Kalamazoo Skating Association in Kalamazoo, Michigan, is well represented at the National Solo Dance Final.
This year will be no different, with 17 pattern skaters, 12 combined skaters and six shadow dance teams having qualified to compete at the Final next week in Wesley Chapel, Florida.
A large contingent of those GKSA skaters train under the self-abbreviated coaching team name of J2S1 (Jennifer Heurlin-Brenne, Jennifer Miller and Sarah McClish). Two of their former students, Amy Czuhajewski and Nikki Czuhajewski, and Charlotte Maxwell, who does choreography for the junior and senior skaters, help J2S1’s skaters at the Wings Event Center and Wings West in Kalamazoo.
“Jennifer Miller and I started coaching together back in back in 2006,” Heurlin-Brenne, a two-time World Junior pairs medalist [1990-91] and [1987] Midwestern Sectional intermediate ice dance champion, said. “The [National Solo Dance] Series was introduced in 2011 and we immediately started to participate as we wanted our students to practice their dances for testing. We saw solo dance competitions as a great opportunity to do that. We had no idea it would become what it is today, and we are so proud of the work we have done.”
Other GKSA coaches started participating in the program the year after it started and have helped elevate solo dance to new heights at the club. Currently, Addyson Luke, Jennifer DeMarco Buchholz and Dean Copely coach a team together. Jessica LaPorte coaches a group and Connie Budiwarman travels around and works with various coaches and their skaters.
“Since the first year, Jen and I have had an average of 10 qualifiers every season, with our largest year in 2017 with 15 qualifiers,” Heurlin-Brenne said. “We have also had medalists every year, with our largest medal group in 2021 and 2022, a total of 13 medalists. I think the greatest measure of success is the continual growth our club has seen as result of the solo dance series.
“Prior to the series, if a skater didn’t like jumping, or felt they were not competitive in freestyle, or couldn’t find a partner, there was no avenue to continue to compete. Most would quit and or find a different sport. With the solo dance series, there’s another opportunity for skaters to continue to compete and stay skating.”
GKSA solo dancers typically share a tight ice rink schedule with Learn to Skate USA classes and synchronized skating teams, between the hours of 3:30 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. Many solo dance athletes also participate in extra-curricular activities at school.
“We pride ourselves in keeping a balance between being a figure skater and keeping an identity beyond the rink,” Heurlin-Brenne said.
Skaters in the J2S1 camp typically skate two or three 45-minute sessions per day, four to six days a week, depending on other activities and school schedules. They also do off-ice training with Athletic Mentors, a local sports training group that specializes in sport-specific training for many different sports.
Each coaching team takes care of its own music, designing dresses, choreography, daily training lessons and more.
Qualifying for the National Solo Dance Final is always a big thrill, Heurlin-Brenne said.
“Of course, making it to the Final is the goal for most of the skaters,” Heurlin-Brenne said. “We discuss realistic goals at the beginning of the season and set benchmarks to keep on track to qualify. The skaters love the Final, because they get to travel with their friends and see their solo dance friends from around the country. We appreciate the solo dance community and the friendships that have developed.”
Last year, J2S1 had several skaters leave their mark at the Final. Abby Mumby, in the senior combined division, earned the pewter medal.
“Watching Abby have the skate of her life was amazing,” Heurlin-Brenne said. “We have been teaching Abby since she stepped on the ice as a 4-year-old. It was amazing to watch her emotion, and all the hard work come together for her.”
Heurlin-Brenne’s daughter, Jordan, secured the silver and Khloe Felton the pewter in juniors. Lindsey Piel claimed second in gold pattern dance, while Brenne and Felton won the gold international shadow dance. Heurlin’s other daughter, Natalie, also competes in solo dance.
“Each skater brings their own quality to the ice,” Heurlin-Brenne said. “We try to be very strategic in picking music that reflects their personalities and strengths as a skater.”
The 13th annual Final once again promises to be exciting, with nearly 240 skaters and 64 clubs to be represented, Sept.12-15 at the AdventHealth Center Ice. For a full schedule and results, visit the official competition website.
