This week was the annual judging of the PSA’s virtual U.S. Open Professional Figure Skating Competition. This wonderful event is sponsored by the PSA Foundation which benefits coaches in need of assistance, for a variety of reasons.
After we completed the judging my wife, Michelle, and I we were struck with a moment of contemplation. Because just as the figure skating blade is constantly turning so are all of our journeys through life. When I choreograph a program, I never know how it is going to turn out over time. We all can say the same of our lives.
In an ISU leveled step sequence, a rocker will keep us going in the same direction we assume; however, our next turn might be a counter which turns us exactly in the opposite direction. So too did an unexpected life turn move two unsuspecting professional ballet dancers to wind up in a 30-plus year career in figure skating. https://www.phillipmillschoreographer.com/about-phillip
In my opinion, education leads to experience and experience leads to wisdom. The esteemed judging panel we had the privilege and honor to serve with for the U.S. Open offered a plethora of wisdom to the figure skating world. The judges include award-winning choreographer Sara Kawahara and her pop artist daughter, Hayley; Doug Webster, Artistic Director of Ice Dance International; Amanda Evora & Mark Ladwig, 2010 Olympians; the legendary Frank Carroll; and the Spin Doctor, Evelyn Kramer.
All of the judges on this panel have been involved and engaged in the sport at the highest level for decades. The similarities in our combined perception of quality and execution was inspiring. This experience prompted me to pen this blog.
You can register to view this virtual event online on May 23, 2021 by clicking this link: https://skatepsa.site-ym.com/events/EventDetails.aspx?id=1483408&hhSearchTerms=%22PS+and+Foundation%22#
I promise it to be an evening you will not soon forget.
Master of Ceremonies ,Kaitlin Hawayek and Jean-Luc Baker, were quite entertaining, witty, and kept the show running like an old Swiss watch. Don’t miss it!
The session is over and the Zamboni is coming out.
Auf Wiedersehen