Nathan Chen

[shine]

I already saw the documentary, but thanks! I think that for all the talk about the Montreal mush Marie France knows a thing or two about micromanaging her teams, while allowing them the freedom to be creative (i.e. Guillame designing the clothes, cooperation with other choreographers). I never liked a Vera costume in my life so I truly hope he reverts back to the one who made his prince Igor suit. As for the choreographers, I think that at Nathan's stage he could benefit from a daily cooperation with an experienced choreographers and a SS and spin expert; in the case of Yuna and others, I sometimes regret that she did not work with other choreographers who could open new vision for her (but this is another story). And, I'm sorry but I don't particularly like Rafael approach and way of handling his students, as I already stated previously.

Coincidentally I just listened to that TSL interview from 2015 and Nathan mentioned working with Nadia Kanaeva on programs, skating skills and performance on a daily basis; whereas he said Raf, as expected, is more of a jump specialist. I actually thought Nadia did some really wonderful work with Nathan including all of his Junior programs, which are not any lesser than his senior ones. Her works were very thoughtful and IMO helped Nathan broaden as well as deepen his expression. I was particularly impressed with MJ and Chopin; the music editing on Chopin was so cleverly done and still respectful of the phrasing and integrity of the music. Of course that interview was from almost 3 years ago so I don’t know if Nathan still works with Nadia as closely or how much importsnce their team places on this type of work compared to the technical stuff. But at least this answers the question some of us had regarding whether Raf has someone in house who focuses on the non-jump aspects of skating.

 

[Kelly]

I think Nathan spread himself too thin this season. Between his shows in Japan, choreography in Canada, costumes in NYC, and sponsorship and media demands he must have spent more time traveling than any other top competitor. I heard that he was exhausted at GPF.

Too many new things (new jump layouts, new choreographers, new costume designer, new fame, new obligations,......, and even new haircut) in the Olympic year and just his second senior year.

I actually thought Nadia did some really wonderful work with Nathan including all of his Junior programs, which are not any lesser than his senior ones. Her works were very thoughtful and IMO helped Nathan broaden as well as deepen his expression. I was particularly impressed with MJ and Chopin; the music editing on Chopin was so cleverly done and still respectful of the phrasing and integrity of the music.

Totally agree.

 

[yyyskate]

I also just watched that old TSL interview with 15 year old Nathan. Oh those vintage TSL interviews with Jenny I liked so much before.... I think I have watched that one with Nathan before, but it is nice to watch it again.

Funny thing, Nathan said going into Junior worlds, the nerve hit him right before SP (junior worlds is the biggest comp for 15 year old Nathan back then). And he is way too cautious going into his 3A. ahah, de javu, exactly the same scenarios and words he used to describe his first OG SP situation.

As for in-house choreographer Nadia, I think she has done quite some brilliant work with Nathan, as showed in Chopin and MJ program. Have to gave props to her, not only musically edited really well, choreo wise, these are 2 vastly different genres.

But I do hope Nathan can work with new choreographer and SS specialist in the future though. The reason it to broaden his figure skating vocabulary. Watching Nathan's junior programs with Nadia, they are great, but you will also notice certain range of figure skating vocab, just like every writer will have preferred vocab. My point is that Nathan may already have learned everything Nadia has to offer. As we saw in his programs with Zueva, Shae and Lori, his presentation/interpretation absolutely broadened , he is outside of his comfort zone and learning new stuff on a very fast pace. however, all these choreographers(especially, Shae, and Lori) are not in-house, thus the detectable lost of nuances and details as this season goes on.

also, I think 15-year-old Nathan seems calmer doing interviews, he speaks slower and speak from his mind. And he is sooooooo cute at 15.:luv17:

personally, SS wise I wish Nathan can have deeper edges in general and more swoosh in his skating (like Uncle Kurt lovely puts it)

 

[yyyskate]

Do you guys have Nathan's Wall-E program links, I cannot find it on Youtube. begging with starry eyes please.

 

[yyyskate]

so I was thinking about what Nathan lacks in terms of SS, what is my vague impression of a little deeper edges. So I rewatched Yuna's Sochi OG FS fancam and compared to Nathan's OG FS fancam. Luckily there 2 fancams are taken almost at the same angle (on the shorter side of rink), so it is a good comparison. Both great stuff ,enjoy

Nathan OG FS fancam https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kqi2bPQJYRc
Yuna Sochi FS fancam https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=n91tUEvglpA

besides the deeper edge comparison (Yuna over-all seems have more amplitude in her range of movement including deeper edge). Another very obvious difference is that: Yuna's FS every moves including cross-overs, simple steps etc. are matched to music precisely and every jumping passes matched to music in different ways. There is NO way she can swap jumps around randomly. Yet, Nathan's FS for the most part is skating to music phrasing, there is more flexibility choreo-wise in Nathan's FS thus he can swap jumps around.

That is the kinda difference in terms of choreo/interpretation intricacy that Nathan (and his choreographer) could aim for in the future. Also, an indication of choreographer's vision and style.

 

[yyyskate]

Is think this is the Wall-E program?

https://youtu.be/qM1YIQDIcGo

yes it is, thanks so much, I am watching it for the first time.

 

[yyyskate]

Is think this is the Wall-E program?

https://youtu.be/qM1YIQDIcGo

haha that donut spin and literally, Nathan has done every transition there is into 2A.

 

[yyyskate]

@oatmella we can ask Nathan what kinda music he himself really want/like to skate to.
As I recall, he said he will give his choreographer full trust in terms of choosing music for him. he trust how his choreographer views him as a vehicle to their artistic visions which means he values how others view his artistic potential.

also, I heard SoCal traffic is not that nice.. traffic can be extremely tiring on itself..

 

[sheetz]

Clearly he felt he needed more than Nadia (does she still work for Raf btw?) if he went to Marina Zueva before.

I believe Nadia choreographs for Raf's juniors but his seniors generally use "professional" choreographers.

 

[Arriba627]

I believe Nadia choreographs for Raf's juniors but his seniors generally use "professional" choreographers.

Didn't she do his Michael Jackson program? I always liked that one!

 

[Arriba627]

Yes she did his Michael Jackson program (love the smooth criminal part and moonwalking!), which I believe he only competed as a junior except for senior Nationals. She also did his Prince Igor program which he did compete as a senior.

Pretty sure I remember him doing the Michael Jackson program at St. Paul Sr. Nats in 2016. Very fun (and challenging!) program.

 

[sheetz]

I kind of feel Nathan's going to work with every single top choreographer at some point in his career. Although it looks like he really enjoys working with Shae. (Wonder if he's done with Lori. LOL) I also read in an interview that he wants to work with Benoit Richaud again.

 

[yyyskate]

When asked what skater he likes, I think Nathan also mentioned J_butt. so he may work with him in the future.
but what I heard is that it take time and patience for a skate and choreographer to click. I think David Wilson said that. because it may take some time for the choreographer to really understand the skater. Thus, a long term working relationship maybe beneficial.
I also hope Nathan can work with different choreographers to expand his perspective. but I am a little worried how much of the education will last once he has to leave them.
All the famous choreographers (Shae, J_butt, Lori, David Wilson etc) are located close to each other in Canada. it must be really nice and convenient to train within close vicinity in Canada.

 

[shine]

I feel like Nathan would be any choreographers dream, tbh. I really think Lori taught him a lot (as seen in the debut versions of Mao’s Last Dancer) and don’t mind seeing them collaborating again, but at the same time I also don’t mind him working with others. I’d really love for him to go to Lambiel to work on performance and projection in particular like many skaters and ice dancers have sought his help, if not necessarily for his choreography.

 

[hhh]

I saw an Insta post [link], one girl met Nathan yesterday at Lake forest and he was doing some foortwork and also signed her boot.
Anyway, I always mix Lakewood and Lake Forest, could you pls tell me what's the difference? These are 2 different ice-rink located in LA?

Lakewood is in LA County and Lake Forest is in Orange County, about 45 minutes apart.

 

[yyyskate]

Nathan's last season's SP and LP music Le Corsaire and Polovtsian Dances have both been used by John Curry. Amazing!
check it out
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vblykfA1afo John Curry 1974 Le Corsaire Exhibition
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dNe6C3xZI_c John Curry 1976 Skating Spectacular - Polovitsian Dances

Did Nathan do a homage to John Curry last season?

Also check out John Curry's costume in Polovtsian Dance, it is very similar to Nathan's shirt used in his last dance FS before Vera costume.

 

[hhh]

I think Nathan spread himself too thin this season. Between his shows in Japan, choreography in Canada, costumes in NYC, and sponsorship and media demands he must have spent more time traveling than any other top competitor. I heard that he was exhausted at GPF.

Agree, being his first one and half year into the senior season, he’s having to deal with more additional work, it may be the US team isn’t 100% funded by government so athletes need to do more, of the stories I read from other Oly Chloe Kim, Shaun White and Maame Biney, this is how our athletes managed their professional career which lacks the luxury of certain free resources other countries offer their pros.

Too bad my cousin moved to Nor Cal and no longer trains at Lake Forest, but don’t want to be a stalker either LoL. Thanks Oatmella for Wall-E clip, got to share this nice piece with friends.

 

[Sasha'sSpins]

I'm sorry if this was posted already! Nathan, along with Mirai, Adam and the Shib Sibs are being considered for DWTS (all my faves!) DWTS...Potential Contestants.

The casting director Deena Katz does want athletes from 'all corners' - not that she wouldn't mind doing an all skaters DWTS! “… If I could just do a season of ice skaters, that would be fantastic because I could have filled it up just with them.”


Obviously, there is the problem of the skater's (likely contractual) obligations with Stars On Ice so it would be interesting to see how it works out for whomever is chosen for DWTS since it falls smack dab in the middle of the SOI tour!

 

[sheetz]

Anyway, I always mix Lakewood and Lake Forest, could you pls tell me what's the difference? These are 2 different ice-rink located in LA?

Check out this Japanese fan blog for a map of the region with all of Nathan's points of interest circled.
https://ameblo.jp/constanze-m331/entry-12359116435.html

 

[hhh]

I feel like Nathan would be any choreographers dream, tbh. I really think Lori taught him a lot (as seen in the debut versions of Mao’s Last Dancer) and don’t mind seeing them collaborating again, but at the same time I also don’t mind him working with others. I’d really love for him to go to Lambiel to work on performance and projection in particular like many skaters and ice dancers have sought his help, if not necessarily for his choreography.

I think so too he is any choreographer’s dream, oh Lambiel will be interesting but distance will be an issue.

I'm sorry if this was posted already! Nathan, along with Mirai, Adam and the Shib Sibs are being considered for DWTS (all my faves!) DWTS...Potential Contestants.

The casting director Deena Katz does want athletes from 'all corners' - not that she wouldn't mind doing an all skaters DWTS! “… If I could just do a season of ice skaters, that would be fantastic because I could have filled it up just with them.”


Obviously, there is the problem of the skater's (likely contractual) obligations with Stars On Ice so it would be interesting to see how it works out for whomever is chosen for DWTS since it falls smack dab in the middle of the SOI tour!

I think Nathan is too young and have lots on his plate (school and skating) right now to be on the show. Mirai and Adam are ripe for the cast with where their careers are heading and they seem interested in the show. One day I’d love to see an all figure skating cast with Nathan.