National Styles & Choreography Trends

[gsk8]

Do you think that every nation has it's own "flavor" or style in choreography? Do you notice distinct national styles or “school” influences in choreography, music choices, or presentation?

Which country’s approach to skating artistry do you personally connect with the most — and why?

Do you think these national identities are fading as training becomes more globalized, or are they still strong today?

If you could combine styles from different nations, what would your dream hybrid look like?

 

[4everchan]

I think there are styles but even within a country like Canada, there are differences within provinces. For instance, Québec has for the longest time produced single skaters focused on performance, often without the necessary arsenal to compete (especially true for men... Québec has only ONE National senior Champion). Things are changing now, and there is a depth in the women's field and they can jump But it wasn't always the case. Also men in Québec tend to choose partnered disciplines rather than singles. You can see with the whopping number of senior men competing at sectional this weekend... 2, and both are junior skaters internationally.

Japanese skaters are well-known for their skating skills and often their deep knee bend.

Canadian skaters are usually well-rounded (of course, there is a drought right now in single skating but I am looking at the bigger picture)

Swiss skaters have a tradition of fabulous spinners.

French skaters, and not just ice dance, are often very original in their approach to programs and music choices.

Chinese pairs have extremely big throws. They tend to falter in SBS because traditionally, they seem to raise their younger skaters as future pair skaters while some other countries form pairs later on with single skaters.

I like all these styles and features. I tend to have favourites from all over the place. I like the full package kind of skaters, probably because that's what I have seen the most, following live events in my hood.

(just a sample... just my perceptions)

 

[Mathman]

Do you think these national identities are fading as training becomes more globalized, or are they still strong today?

I think that national identities are fading. The old Soviet style of over-the-top drama, of instance, is not so marked as it once was. Part of the reason, iI believe, is that music, especially popular music, has become oncreasingly global and homogenized.

 

[4everchan]

I think that national identities are fading. The old Soviet style of over-the-top drama, of instance, is not so marked as it once was. Part of the reason, iI believe, is that music, especially popular music, has become oncreasingly global and homogenized.

Russian skating drama still exists strong and loud. You can visit some sites filled with it (perhaps less on the ice than before but off ice drama is still there)

 

[noskates]

I think it depends more on the choreographer than the country....at least for the most elite skaters. Many many of them are using one of five or six well-known choreographers and there is a consistency to their "style!"

 

[rabidline]

One national skating style in Japan I like a lot is Machiko Yamada's students skating style: Kanako Murakami, Shoma Uno, Mako Yamashita, Rino Matsuike, and Kaoruko Wada. (Mao Asada left for the US very young so her skating style is a bit different).

There's a certain "thickness" to how they skate, and while they all are different skaters and have affinity for certain genres more than the other, that "depth" and "density" remains there. With Yamada getting older every year, I hope the lineage continues.

 

[CaroLiza_fan]

This is actually a timely topic for me, because a few days ago I watched Charlotte JENNES (BEL) in Juniors at the Tirnavia Cup. And I was struck by how similar both of her programmes were to the sort of programmes you get from Loena HENDRICKX (BEL). To the extent that you could have been forgiven for thinking you were watching Loena. Everything in her programmes was what you would expect to find in Loena's programmes.

Hardly surprising, considering that they have the same choreographer, Ádám Sólya (HUN).

If you want to see what I am getting at, here are Charlotte's programmes:

Charlotte Jennes - 2025 Tirnavia Cup SP
Charlotte Jennes - 2025 Tirnavia Cup FS

As somebody who doesn't like Loena's style of skating, I hope this isn't the start of a national style developing in Belgium.

CaroLiza_fan

 

[Anna K.]

As somebody who doesn't like Loena's style of skating, I hope this isn't the start of a national style developing in Belgium.

As somebody who likes Loena's style, I certainly wish that there was such national style in Belgium; it would also go well with Belgian take on popular music. However, I suspect that these similarities have much simpler explanation. Early in their careers, skaters often want to be like their idols: they want the same dress, same music, same choreographer. Later in their career, skaters tend to develop individual traits and mix different influences. Considering that Charlotte is Belgian, it's no wonder that Loena is her idol. But she's not for every junior in Belgium. Lilou Remeysen, in example, looks like Nina Pinzarone's younger sister... and guess what, they also share the same choreographer, Benoit Richaud

So, we have at least two different "national styles" for Belgium. I think this is much better than just one style.

 

[CaroLiza_fan]

As somebody who likes Loena's style, I certainly wish that there was such national style in Belgium; it would also go well with Belgian take on popular music.

You just started me thinking there, and there are only two Belgian singers I am familiar with:

• Milow, who I can't remember ever having been skated to
• Lara Fabian, who we have seen skated to, just the once or twice(!)

Hey, can you imagine the reaction if somebody skated to Milow's "Ayo Technology"?

However, I suspect that these similarities have much simpler explanation. Early in their careers, skaters often want to be like their idols: they want the same dress, same music, same choreographer. Later in their career, skaters tend to develop individual traits and mix different influences. Considering that Charlotte is Belgian, it's no wonder that Loena is her idol.

Funnily enough, that was my first thought too. Here is what I wrote about her Short Programme:

Post in thread '17th Tirnavia Ice Cup | Oct 31 - Nov 2'

Nov 1, 2025

You wait for a bus, and two come along at once. Or, in this case, maroon dresses.

Charlotte JENNES (BEL)'s dress has a lot of cut outs. I don't like it. I preferred the last one.

Ach, she's skating to that epic version of "Toxic".

Well, it's not hard to tell who Charlotte looks up to. That had Loena Hendrickx written all over it.

I just looked at their ISU Bios, and guess what. They both have the same choreographer! Ádám Sólya. Quelle surprise!

She goes into 2nd position.

CaroLiza_fan

• CaroLiza_fan

Incidentally, if anybody is interested, here is what I wrote about her Free Skate:

Post in thread '17th Tirnavia Ice Cup | Oct 31 - Nov 2'

Nov 2, 2025

Charlotte JENNES (BEL) wearing a dark pink dress.

Music sounded very industrial at the start. But it turned out to be what can only be described as Middle Eastern techno. So, I'm torn. I love Middle Eastern music, but I hate techno music.

I said it yesterday about Charlotte's SP, and I will say it again today about her FS. This programme has Loena Hendrickx written all over it.

She actually skated it well.

She goes into a massive lead in both the FS and overall.

CaroLiza_fan

• CaroLiza_fan

But she's not for every junior in Belgium. Lilou Remeysen, in example, looks like Nina Pinzarone's younger sister... and guess what, they also share the same choreographer, Benoit Richaud

That brings up an interesting point. I wonder how much of what we now consider to be "national styles" is actually the style of particular choreographers that have been popular in a particular country. Their own work, and the work of later choreographers who have been inspired by them.

So, we have at least two different "national styles" for Belgium. I think this is much better than just one style.

Totally agree. Variety is the spice of life.

CaroLiza_fan

 

[Anna K.]

You just started me thinking there, and there are only two Belgian singers I am familiar with:

• Milow, who I can't remember ever having been skated to
• Lara Fabian, who we have seen skated to, just the once or twice(!)

Hey, can you imagine the reaction if somebody skated to Milow's "Ayo Technology"?

Have you ever heard of Technotronic? (Imho Joe Bogaert has had more interesting projects than Technotronic but if we talk about hit music...)

Ayo Technology could be a suitable music suggestion for the camp Richaud though

 

[lariko]

I always welcome it when skaters use music and choreo that is authentic to their life experience and what they personally engage with. I don't like it that there is one or two choreographers who are basically a brand that increases the 'artistry' just because. I kinda like Russian dance the most this year, because adding even crappy Russian pop into the 90s music pool expanded the selections and adds interest. Overall, I wish Koreans and Japanese dipped more into their pop for their non exhibitions, because the youngsters imo would look more convincing with it.

 

[gsk8]

It's getting hard though to determine "nation's styles" as many more skaters/choreographers are crossing borders than they did many years ago. Decades ago, I think choreography was mostly kept "in house." Can't say the same today, at least for the higher level skaters.

 

[Anna K.]

I think that national identities are fading. The old Soviet style of over-the-top drama, of instance, is not so marked as it once was. Part of the reason, iI believe, is that music, especially popular music, has become oncreasingly global and homogenized.

I believe that this one is underrated: during the Cold War, figure skating was a rare common ground on which these two major 20th century takes on popular culture, commercialization versus propaganda enticement versus drama, actually met each other. It's funny that there was no winner and no fight. In a very Cold War manner, there were spheres of influence : the U.S/Canada had singles, the USSR had pairs and dance.
Although I don't think that these differences fall under description of a national identity.

It's getting hard though to determine "nation's styles" as many more skaters/choreographers are crossing borders than they did many years ago. Decades ago, I think choreography was mostly kept "in house." Can't say the same today, at least for the higher level skaters.

I think it depends on where your "house" is.
Decades ago, Japanese skaters had to travel to find coaches/choreographers and even the ice time. Today, famous choreographers go to Japan and there are also Japanese domestic choreographers "in house"... yet
In 1990-ties, almost every famous Russian coach/choreographer went to work abroad. After that, they had decades of working "in house". Today...

Decades ago, Latvian skaters had to travel abroad if they wanted to have quality coaching/choreography. Today, Latvian skaters have to travel abroad if they want to have quality coaching/choreography
Estonians though are doing everything domestically quite well today. Which was not the case a few decades ago when young skaters mostly traveled to train in Russia.

IMO there certainly is a package that defines the sport of figure skating nationally but this package does not necessarily include a specific choreography style .

 

[rabidline]

One national skating style in Japan I like a lot is Machiko Yamada's students skating style: Kanako Murakami, Shoma Uno, Mako Yamashita, Rino Matsuike, and Kaoruko Wada. (Mao Asada left for the US very young so her skating style is a bit different).

There's a certain "thickness" to how they skate, and while they all are different skaters and have affinity for certain genres more than the other, that "depth" and "density" remains there. With Yamada getting older every year, I hope the lineage continues.

Watching Rino's FS again from Finland.... someone or something needs to make sure she competes for the next quad because I can't stand the thought of losing this quality of skating just because her scores are middle of the pack. The skating is just so distinct on its own, even before factoring in the choreo.

 

[Anna K.]

The recent Japanese Junior Nationals just gave me some thinking material for this thread.

In the Women category, five skaters from the Top 8 represent the newly founded Mao Asada's Kinoshita Academy which only exists since August 2025 and apparently operates in accord with its declared goal, which is to accept and develop already existing top skaters. What's interesting though is that in the role of a development vehicle we see, among else, choreos done by former Japanese ice-dancers-turned-choreographers Cathy Reed and Kana Muramoto. This vehicle has worked particularly well for Mayuko Oka whose "Peacock" short program by Kana Muramoto has been sensational every time when skated clean.

Although I agree with the opinion that this is the personality and artistic vision of a choreographer that makes a difference, these personalities need a place where to work and develop. Is the new Kinoshita Academy becoming a place where Japanese choreographers can work, realize their vision, and raise their skills to new levels?

What's also interesting, two other clubs/schools that appear in this year's Women Top 8 do not seem very old either. Karin Miyazaki (novice, placed 5th) represents MF Academy that was founded by Kensuke Nakaniwa in 2021 according to info in the other thread and Mei Okada's (placed 3rd) Meito FSC might be around not much longer than that. I came across a Meito FSC home page that was launched in 2020 (not updated since then) and Google says that Miki Ando became the head coach of Meito FSC in 2023 but I can't verify either of this information.

What's going on here? Is it generation change or something?

 

[Ic3Rabbit]

No, especially in singles. Since there are the same handful of choreographers working with skaters, many who just recycle the same boring music and movement. There are truly only a few choreographers out there now that personalize the choreo for the skater with the music, as well as picking new music and movement.

 

[DizzyFrenchie]

In addition to the focus on Skating Skills in Canada and Japan, what I notice most is the Western classical carriage/deport/upper body moves, and the Japanese carriage in Women. I think that the "most accomplished" Western examples are Anna Shcherbakova and Isabeau Levito, who look like Ballerinas on ice; while Mone Chiba's are quintessentially Japanese. I wonder if it can come from these children's rhymes with the whole body the have them do at Kindergarten? I think this was even more true before her switch to Mie Hamada:

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

www.youtube.com

I hope that this is one of these children's rhymes:

- YouTube

Enjoy the videos and music you love, upload original content, and share it all with friends, family, and the world on YouTube.

www.youtube.com

 

[AlexBreeze]

Haven't seen this discussion before.

Yes, there are definitely national styles and traditions. And it's not just choreography.

As mentioned, the Japanese focus on SS and flow. I also noticed that many Japanese skaters use a mohawk for the flip entry. They tend to prefer classical music, or at least instrumental music.
Post-soviet coaches often focus on technique, artistry and performance.
Chinese pairs have great pair elements. There were Russian-Chinese Games a year ago and I was impressed by the quality of FoDs by Chinese children.
North American skaters (and those who train there) often skate to ballads and epic covers. Also Canadians seem to care about SS and flow a lot, too.

It also often depends on the exact region and not just country. Many singles in St Petersburg are coached by former Mishin's students. So their style and especially their technique are quite recognizable. By the way, this also applies to Shaidorov. When I first saw him, I immediately recognized the style and technique. And then I saw his coach.

But it depends not only on which country the athletes represent but also on where skaters actually train. For example, Mironova/Ustenko don't look like a Russian team. Their dances are made abroad and designed for an international audience. They are also from St Petersburg and in no way connected with Moscow coaches. All other Russian dancers train not just in Russia, but in the same city, so the style is quite recognizable. And due the situation, many of them actively began using Russian music.

Of course, the fact that one choreographer often works with athletes from different countries blurs national identity. But it doesn't destroy it completely. Because basic skills were taught by local coaches anyway. Luc Economides uses a program done by Artem Fedorchenko. Does he look like a Russian man? No.

 

[synesthesia]

The recent Japanese Junior Nationals just gave me some thinking material for this thread.

In the Women category, five skaters from the Top 8 represent the newly founded Mao Asada's Kinoshita Academy which only exists since August 2025 and apparently operates in accord with its declared goal, which is to accept and develop already existing top skaters. What's interesting though is that in the role of a development vehicle we see, among else, choreos done by former Japanese ice-dancers-turned-choreographers Cathy Reed and Kana Muramoto. This vehicle has worked particularly well for Mayuko Oka whose "Peacock" short program by Kana Muramoto has been sensational every time when skated clean.

Although I agree with the opinion that this is the personality and artistic vision of a choreographer that makes a difference, these personalities need a place where to work and develop. Is the new Kinoshita Academy becoming a place where Japanese choreographers can work, realize their vision, and raise their skills to new levels?

All of them are affiliated with the Kinoshita Academy in Kyoto under the tutelage of Mie Hamada (Mao doesn't have any juniors competing at Nationals yet), where Cathy is not just a choreographer, but the head coach for ice dance (she (co-)coaches Yoshida/Morita, Kushida/Shimada, Shibayama/Kimura). Kana (during her senior singles career until 2014) and her older sister Satsuki were coached by Mie Hamada and Satsuki now belongs to the Academy's coaching staff, which is why Kana provides choreography for many of the skaters there (e.g. Mayuko Oka, Sumika Kanazawa, Riria Kono, Haruna Murakami, Reina Kawakatsu, Shunsuke Nakamura, Sena Takahashi).

木下スケートアカデミー

国際大会で活躍ができるフィギュアスケーターの育成をいたします。

kinoshitaacademy.com

練習生 | 木下スケートアカデミー

国際大会で活躍ができるフィギュアスケーターの育成をいたします。

kinoshitaacademy.com

I agree that Cathy and Kana are both very talented choreographers and that both sides benefit enormously from these arrangements. I also agree that each choreographer has their own "personal voice", shaped by their individual influences and backgrounds, instead of there being overarching national styles (at least nowadays).

If we compare the choreographies of for instance Kenji Miyamoto, Akiko Suzuki, Mihoko Higuchi, Misao Sato, Cathy Reed and Kana Muramoto - are there really enough common characteristics to determine a "Japanese style"? I don't think so. In fact, when you're familiar with a choreographer's style, you can tell just from seeing one of their works in many cases. Mayuko Oka's "Peacock" for example just screams Kana Muramoto (who was/is majorly inspired by Canadian Shae-Lynn Bourne btw).

What's also interesting, two other clubs/schools that appear in this year's Women Top 8 do not seem very old either. Karin Miyazaki (novice, placed 5th) represents MF Academy that was founded by Kensuke Nakaniwa in 2021 according to info in the other thread and Mei Okada's (placed 3rd) Meito FSC might be around not much longer than that. I came across a Meito FSC home page that was launched in 2020 (not updated since then) and Google says that Miki Ando became the head coach of Meito FSC in 2023 but I can't verify either of this information.

What's going on here? Is it generation change or something?

Well, the MF Academy is very new indeed, but Kensuke has been coaching since 2011. His coaching career has really taken off since he took on the role of head coach at the Academy in 2021 though, which is truly remarkable. If you're interested in his background and how he arrived at being offered the position at the MF Academy (which he did not found himself), there are a couple of interesting articles/interviews about/with him chronicling his path and shedding light on the development of his coaching philosophy:

【中庭健介〈中〉】「憧れ強すぎた」本田武史と「ほんとにいい人」高橋大輔の存在 - フィギュア : 日刊スポーツ・プレミアム

日刊スポーツ・プレミアムでは、毎週月曜日にフィギュアスケーターのルーツや支える人の信念に迫る「氷現者」をお届けしています。シリーズ第11弾は指導者編として、中庭健介（41）の来歴を辿ります。2011年に現役引退後、福岡を拠点に指導者としての道を歩み始め、2021年からは千葉県船橋市で「MFアカデミー」のヘッドコーチを務めています。2022－23年シーズンは、渡辺倫果（20＝TOKIOインカラミ／法政大）や中井亜美（15＝TOKIOインカラミ）らが活躍を見せ、中庭コーチの指導にも注目が集まりました。全3回の「中編」では、29歳まで競技を続けた理由と、指導者として歩み始めた当初の苦悩を描きま...

www.nikkansports.com

Absolute Skating

Welcome to Absolute Skating, information site for and by the skaters and their fans. The place to meet the person behind the skater and experience events on and behind the stage.

www.absoluteskating.com

(The Nikkan Sports article is under paywall though.)

 

[Ic3Rabbit]

All of them are affiliated with the Kinoshita Academy in Kyoto under the tutelage of Mie Hamada (Mao doesn't have any juniors competing at Nationals yet), where Cathy is not just a choreographer, but the head coach for ice dance (she (co-)coaches Yoshida/Morita, Kushida/Shimada, Shibayama/Kimura). Kana (during her senior singles career until 2014) and her older sister Satsuki were coached by Mie Hamada and Satsuki now belongs to the Academy's coaching staff, which is why Kana provides choreography for many of the skaters there (e.g. Mayuko Oka, Sumika Kanazawa, Riria Kono, Haruna Murakami, Reina Kawakatsu, Shunsuke Nakamura, Sena Takahashi).

木下スケートアカデミー

国際大会で活躍ができるフィギュアスケーターの育成をいたします。

kinoshitaacademy.com

練習生 | 木下スケートアカデミー

国際大会で活躍ができるフィギュアスケーターの育成をいたします。

kinoshitaacademy.com

I agree that Cathy and Kana are both very talented choreographers and that both sides benefit enormously from these arrangements. I also agree that each choreographer has their own "personal voice", shaped by their individual influences and backgrounds, instead of there being overarching national styles (at least nowadays).

If we compare the choreographies of for instance Kenji Miyamoto, Akiko Suzuki, Mihoko Higuchi, Misao Sato, Cathy Reed and Kana Muramoto - are there really enough common characteristics to determine a "Japanese style"? I don't think so. In fact, when you're familiar with a choreographer's style, you can tell just from seeing one of their works in many cases. Mayuko Oka's "Peacock" for example just screams Kana Muramoto (who was/is majorly inspired by Canadian Shae-Lynn Bourne btw).







Well, the MF Academy is very new indeed, but Kensuke has been coaching since 2011. His coaching career has really taken off since he took on the role of head coach at the Academy in 2021 though, which is truly remarkable. If you're interested in his background and how he arrived at being offered the position at the MF Academy (which he did not found himself), there are a couple of interesting articles/interviews about/with him chronicling his path and shedding light on the development of his coaching philosophy:

【中庭健介〈中〉】「憧れ強すぎた」本田武史と「ほんとにいい人」高橋大輔の存在 - フィギュア : 日刊スポーツ・プレミアム

日刊スポーツ・プレミアムでは、毎週月曜日にフィギュアスケーターのルーツや支える人の信念に迫る「氷現者」をお届けしています。シリーズ第11弾は指導者編として、中庭健介（41）の来歴を辿ります。2011年に現役引退後、福岡を拠点に指導者としての道を歩み始め、2021年からは千葉県船橋市で「MFアカデミー」のヘッドコーチを務めています。2022－23年シーズンは、渡辺倫果（20＝TOKIOインカラミ／法政大）や中井亜美（15＝TOKIOインカラミ）らが活躍を見せ、中庭コーチの指導にも注目が集まりました。全3回の「中編」では、29歳まで競技を続けた理由と、指導者として歩み始めた当初の苦悩を描きま...

www.nikkansports.com

Absolute Skating

Welcome to Absolute Skating, information site for and by the skaters and their fans. The place to meet the person behind the skater and experience events on and behind the stage.

www.absoluteskating.com

(The Nikkan Sports article is under paywall though.)

I agree, except Yosida/Morita have both RD and FD choreo done this year by Scott Moir's team (Madison Hubbell/Adrian Diaz).