2020-21 U.S. Men's Figure Skating | Page 15 | Golden Skate

2020-21 U.S. Men's Figure Skating

Just noticed that Tomoki Hiwatashi received a nice bit of recognition from none other than Leslie Odom, Jr.
The well-known singer/songwriter/actor added some appreciative emojis to USFS video of Tomoki's Nats SP, which he performed to Odom's music.


Two other tweets from Odom in response to Nats:

​

(Ryan Dunk's SP music also was from Odom.)

ETA:
Happy 21st Birthday to Tomoki!​


Good luck to Joe Klein, Sam Mindra, Nicholas Hsieh, and all the Junior Men competing at Nats today and tomorrow!
 
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I don't know if anyone has seen this yet but apparently Alexei did an interview with Sports24.ru after Nationals, posted on Jan 19 (I came across it on FSU):
Russian-American figure skater on politics and the US Championship (by Konstantin Lesik for sport24.ru)

Obviously it's in Russian but I think Google translate does a passable job of translating it. Or the poster on FSU I thought gave a really good translation (post# 147). Key points:
- Seems he plans to retire after the Olympics 😭 The biggest reason seems to be because he won't get citizenship in time although he does cite a number of other factors, including injury - "he doesn't want to ruin his body."
- He's grateful for the opportunity he got in the US and wants to go to law school and become an immigration lawyer, specifically to help other young Russians get an education in the US.
- He's quite candid and had quite a bit of interesting thoughts to share on things like audience at skating comps, mask wearing, Covid, ladies skating, and even politics.
 
Makemi said:
I don't know if anyone has seen this yet but apparently Alexei did an interview with Sports24.ru after Nationals, posted on Jan 19 (I came across it on FSU):
Russian-American figure skater on politics and the US Championship (by Konstantin Lesik for sport24.ru)

Obviously it's in Russian but I think Google translate does a passable job of translating it. Or the poster on FSU I thought gave a really good translation (post# 147). Key points:
- Seems he plans to retire after the Olympics 😭 The biggest reason seems to be because he won't get citizenship in time although he does cite a number of other factors, including injury - "he doesn't want to ruin his body."
- He's grateful for the opportunity he got in the US and wants to go to law school and become an immigration lawyer, specifically to help other young Russians get an education in the US.
- He's quite candid and had quite a bit of interesting thoughts to share on things like audience at skating comps, mask wearing, Covid, ladies skating, and even politics.
Click to expand...

I think Alex shows great self-awareness, maturity and honesty in this interview and I appreciate him even more. I commend everyone to read it, even if we can't discuss the political portion.;) I never want to hear anyone talk about skaters' interviews are "canned" unless they read this interview.

As for the non-political parts, talking about the state of ladies' figure skating, how he is "too big" for a male figure skater (he is so strong, he could have been a pairs boy), how his bones already hurt, and how he felt after bombing the SP at Nats.

Great interview, Lesha!(y)

And I will miss my wild jumper when he does retire😭
 
Dawn825 said:
Can someone point me to notable programs he's done for other skaters? Obviously he's genius with Jason but I've been wondering how well he works with other people.
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Off the top of my head:

Mariah Bell, Chicago SP and Born on the Fourth of July LP

Chock & Bates, Uptown Funk. SD

Alysa Liu, Don't Rain on my Parade SP

Tomoki: Emerald Tiger SP and Last of the Mohicans LP

a rarely seen program, but I saw before they switched, Stellato/Bartholmay Eleanor Rigby SP. Loved that one.

there are of course others (Courtney Hicks, I believe Karen Chen) but these are the ones I can think of without looking up.:biggrin:
 
I enjoyed that interview with Alexei K. We stan a positive character development arc!

I agree that Jason is Rohene's muse - but I also think Jason had to leave for Rohene to realise the full potential of what he could do with him. It's not that any of Jason's programs pre-Orser were bad - a lot of them were very good - but there's a stunning maturity and brilliance with what Rohene has created for him post-move that was missing before. (It also seems like Rohene is not in charge of costumes anymore either, which is also a positive step IMO.)
 
I find Jason's costumes to be very monotone and forgettable now. Very 80's Orser.

More importantly, I've yet to love any program he's had at the Orser camp. They've repressed both the avant-garde quality, and the emotion, of what Rohene was doing with Jason before. What they've done to his skating is like botox. It's tighter and smoother now, but feels more artificially applied, lacking as much personality.
 
Blades of Passion said:
More importantly, I've yet to love any program he's had at the Orser camp. They've repressed both the avant-garde quality, and the emotion, of what Rohene was doing with Jason before. What they've done to his skating is like botox. It's tighter and smoother now, but feels more artificially applied, lacking as much personality.
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This is what I was thinking before Sinnerman happened. (I don't like Orser camp's programs in general though.)

But after watching it at Nationals, I do think this SP is good - but I will absolutely say that he made Nina Simone white and doesn't really end up getting it. I said it to a friend after ISP, but let it go on the forum because it was the first time he did it. It seems more like I want to watch Rohene do it, instead of it being crafted for Jason specifically?

LP is just kind of there, for me.
 
el henry said:
I think Alex shows great self-awareness, maturity and honesty in this interview and I appreciate him even more. I commend everyone to read it, even if we can't discuss the political portion.;) I never want to hear anyone talk about skaters' interviews are "canned" unless they read this interview.

As for the non-political parts, talking about the state of ladies' figure skating, how he is "too big" for a male figure skater (he is so strong, he could have been a pairs boy), how his bones already hurt, and how he felt after bombing the SP at Nats.

Great interview, Lesha!(y)

And I will miss my wild jumper when he does retire😭
Click to expand...
Loved this interview!!!
 
Skatesocs said:
This is what I was thinking before Sinnerman happened. (I don't like Orser camp's programs in general though.)

But after watching it at Nationals, I do think this SP is good - but I will absolutely say that he made Nina Simone white and doesn't really end up getting it. I said it to a friend after ISP, but let it go on the forum because it was the first time he did it. It seems more like I want to watch Rohene do it, instead of it being crafted for Jason specifically?

LP is just kind of there, for me.
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Rohene Ward does not believe that Jason made Nina Simone "white". I loved this article with many quotes from Rohene and Jason, in particular about Sinnerman:


“I love Nina Simone, and I’m always trying to find some way to bring my own (background) into skating,” Ward, one of skating’s few prominent Black choreographers, said. “I have been fortunate enough to have a muse like Jason, who is willing and open to trying all kinds of stuff. He does a really good job breaking barriers and bringing a lot of people together. What Nina embodies in her music, Jason embodies in his skating. I thought it was a perfect match.”

Rohene has been doing choreo for Jason for a long time, it's true, but he also tells it like it is. If he did not think Jason could have done justice to his (Rohene's) heritage, he would not have given him the choreo. (and at the SP presser, Jason specified further that Rohene was drawing on Alvin Ailey, so even more Black heritage).

I will trust Rohene to let me know which skaters he believes can bring his heritage and background to the ice. :)
 
After reading through several pages in this thread, it seems that people are losing faith in Vincent. I think he really would have benefitted from a GP season. I certainly think his scoring potential is higher than the rest of the US Men outside of Nathan.
 
mrrice said:
After reading through several pages in this thread, it seems that people are losing faith in Vincent. I think he really would have benefitted from a GP season. I certainly think his scoring potential is higher than the rest of the US Men outside of Nathan.
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They could all have benefitted from a GP season or at least summer comps. Wasn’t this Jason’s only comp? Well most of them except the ones who were at Skate America.
 
el henry said:
Rohene has been doing choreo for Jason for a long time, it's true, but he also tells it like it is. If he did not think Jason could have done justice to his (Rohene's) heritage, he would not have given him the choreo.
Click to expand...

Thinking someone has the potential to do justice to it, and them having reached that potential, are two different things.

Jason's "Question of U" improved in his 2nd season with it. Also my favorite SP he's done. I think that program was better for him than Sinnerman, because it was uniquely playful without being cutesy, and also didn't have lyrics to interpret (removing the lyrics from that song, along with the arrangement they did, totally changes the vibe). Sinnerman has an undertone of anguish, it's not just fun jazz. I'm not sure that's something he will be able to fully express. Frankly, the choreography doesn't do it justice either. This is something of a protest song, but the program seems to just highlight the upbeat aspects. There's also a moment of arm movements at the end of his step sequence that looks like it belongs in Fiddler on the Roof, rather than here, and a moment of those literal "running arm" movements after his 3Lutz that people put in cutesy programs.
 
Dawn825 said:
Can someone point me to notable programs he's done for other skaters? Obviously he's genius with Jason but I've been wondering how well he works with other people.
Click to expand...
Hi Dawn825. In addition to the Rohene-choreographed programs for other skaters mentioned by @el henry, I vividly remember that Rohene also did the choreography for both of Calalang/Johnson's debut programs at 2019 U.S. Nationals: Salsation by David Shire (sp), and Nocturnal Animals by Abel Korzeniowski (fp). They were outstanding programs which demonstrated both C/J's and Rohene's talent and range.

Sadly, those programs are not available on YouTube. Hopefully, they might at some point be made available for viewing on U.S. figure skating fanzone's archived videos site.

I recall that Rohene also worked with Jason's former training mate under Kori Ade, who still currently competes after taking a year off, Jordan Moeller. Rohene and Moeller worked together on a number of occasions. Their most memorable collaboration is Moeller's popular Peer Gynt fp, which Moeller used for two seasons (portraying a famous king I believe). Here's most of an early performance of the program, without the costume Moeller eventually wore later in the season:

Jordan Moeller "Peer Gynt" at Glacier Falls Summer Classic 2014 - YouTube

I'm quite certain there are plenty of other skaters whom Rohene has worked with over the years, on the senior and possibly also the junior levels. Rohene has continued to appear in shows and fund-raising exhibitions skating to his own choreography.

Here's one of Rohene's entertaining show performances to Prince's Purple Rain. In addition to sharing a striking resemblance to Prince, Rohene also hails from Prince's hometown of Minneapolis, MN:

Rohene Ward: Purple Rain - YouTube

Ward's Wiki page does not shed much additional light on the many skaters Rohene has worked with. However, it provides some interesting information, including the reference that Rohene does not like to choreograph to music containing lyrics. Per Rohene, "Lyrics inhibit the ability to create, because the words dictate."

Rohene Ward - Wikipedia
 
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Blades of Passion said:
I find Jason's costumes to be very monotone and forgettable now. Very 80's Orser.

More importantly, I've yet to love any program he's had at the Orser camp. They've repressed both the avant-garde quality, and the emotion, of what Rohene was doing with Jason before. What they've done to his skating is like botox. It's tighter and smoother now, but feels more artificially applied, lacking as much personality.
Click to expand...

Huh? Rohene Ward has continued to choreograph Jason's short programs since Jason moved to train at the Cricket Club.

In Jason's first season at the Cricket Club, there wasn't enough time for David Wilson to get to know Jason before they had to quickly put together a fp. As I mentioned, Jason used the compelling sp Rohene had created for him, Love Is a Bitch. The fp that Wilson came up with for Jason is very bland and forgettable (to a Simon & Garfunkel medley of tunes, which chiefly featured Old Friends). I hated it immediately because it had nothing to do with who Jason is as a person or a performer. The quiet, melancholy music was the biggest mistake. Jason admitted to not liking the music when he first heard it. However, being a new student at the training camp, Jason was relaxed and accommodating in his desire to give everything a chance, including the slow process of learning a new jump technique.

Jason gamely braved it through the season with that awful program. At least, they attempted to rework it slightly so it was somewhat more bearable over time. Unfortunately, there was no saving the 1970s-Dad styled wide-striped top Jason wore. The only saving grace that season was Jason's previously choreographed sp by Ward, the aforementioned, Love Is a Bitch. Since then Rohene has choreographed additional short programs for Jason to Kaleo's I Can't Go On Without You, and this season's Sinnerman, voiced by the inimitable, one-of-a-kind, Nina Simone (as inspired by a different version of the song in Alvin Ailey's epic modern dance classic, Revelations).

FWIW, Jason's costumes have generally been hit or miss, as his body proportions likely make it difficult for him to consistently ace costume selections. In regard to your dislike of Jason's programs since he began training at the Cricket Club, I'm not sure I understand what you mean exactly, especially since Rohene has been responsible for all of the short programs, which have been enjoyable and successful. Aside from the initial Old Friends fp, Wilson's work on Jason's Schindler's List fp and this season's Slaughter on Tenth Avenue, has been admirable, IMO.

In addition, Jason has changed and grown, so I don't think it's unusual to see his choreography evolve at a similar pace and trajectory. It's too bad if some fans aren't able to appreciate the inevitable growth and changes that have taken place in Jason's career, particularly in regard to his choreography. He is still the best in the business at stylistically and entertainingly weaving stories and magical movements together on the ice (in collaboration with his choreographers).
 
mrrice said:
After reading through several pages in this thread, it seems that people are losing faith in Vincent. I think he really would have benefitted from a GP season. I certainly think his scoring potential is higher than the rest of the US Men outside of Nathan.
Click to expand...
I think he's improved quite a lot with the "second mark" and his newly unveiled 4Z (Rippon)/3T was jaw-dropping.

He's been the #2 US Man fairly consistently for a few years. A hiccup here, a hiccup there... but he seems to be a hard worker and very determined. Even with a sloppy Free Skate, he still had a 15 point margin to maintain the silver medal at US Nats. Tidy a jump or two, and he's back in the hunt for a World medal.

*Edit: He needs better free programs, but I can say that about a LOT of men this year. Kolyada has the only really memorable free program this year.
 
Blades of Passion said:
Thinking someone has the potential to do justice to it, and them having reached that potential, are two different things.

Jason's "Question of U" improved in his 2nd season with it. Also my favorite SP he's done. I think that program was better for him than Sinnerman, because it was uniquely playful without being cutesy, and also didn't have lyrics to interpret (removing the lyrics from that song, along with the arrangement they did, totally changes the vibe). Sinnerman has an undertone of anguish, it's not just fun jazz. I'm not sure that's something he will be able to fully express. Frankly, the choreography doesn't do it justice either. This is something of a protest song, but the program seems to just highlight the upbeat aspects. There's also a moment of arm movements at the end of his step sequence that looks like it belongs in Fiddler on the Roof, rather than here, and a moment of those literal "running arm" movements after his 3Lutz that people put in cutesy programs.
Click to expand...

Jason expresses anguish, as exemplified by Schindler's List, more sincerely and completely than any other skater out there on the ice. (ETA: which is not to dis others. Perhaps I should say, at least as well as, and often more than).
Whether or not another fan sees it, I can't say. I know many many others in addition to me do.

Any issues with the Sinnerman choreo should be taken up with Alvin Ailey, whose dance movements were the inspiration for the Sinnerman SP.

I certainly trust Rohene and Alvin to interpret this powerful piece of Black music, part of their heritage, more than anyone.(y) And if Rohene does not like what he sees, he is, as has been documented in at least one honest piece of video, fully capable of expressing and correcting:biggrin:
 
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