Images by Danielle Earl
On this Solo Q&A, be taught extra about Victoria Klyukanov, a novice ice dancer from Canada. Victoria is coached by Jaclyn Holmes and trains in Calgary, Alberta. Observe Victoria’s ice dance journey through her Instagram @victoriaklyukanov.
I began skating after becoming a member of Guardian and Tot classes in Calgary, at round age three. At first it was simply one thing that my dad and mom made me do, however as I continued by way of the degrees, I started to fall in love with the game. What drew me to skating most was the stability between athleticism and artistry. I cherished that skating allowed me to mix expertise with creativity, efficiency, and musical expression. Over time, I turned particularly fascinated by ice dance due to how detailed and expressive it’s.
A few of my favourite recollections have come from competitions and practices all through the years. I’ve cherished touring with teammates for synchronized skating competitions, attaining private targets in solo dance, and performing applications that had been a lot enjoyable in each manner doable. One reminiscence that stands out most was stepping onto the ice for my first novice solo dance competitors, as a result of it felt like the start of a brand new chapter.
When and why did you select to do solo dance?
I selected to start solo dance a little bit over a 12 months in the past, beginning with Star 8/9 sample dances. After profitable the Starskate Championships, my coach and I made a decision to discover aggressive solo dance additional by starting with the novice free dance. I continued competing in novice solo dance all through this 12 months, and it has been among the best selections I’ve made. Solo dance allowed me to develop each technically and artistically whereas serving to me acquire confidence as a performer and a skater.
What do you want most about Solo Dance? What sort of music to you wish to skate to the most effective? Why?
What I like most about solo dance is the liberty and creativity it provides me. It permits me to totally categorical the music and concentrate on particulars like edges, timing, and performing. I particularly get pleasure from skating to extra upbeat and even tango music as a result of I really feel prefer it helps me join extra with this system and carry out with stronger expression. I additionally get pleasure from dramatic music types that make the choreography stand out.
Inform us about your coaching web site.
In Calgary there may be one main “dance college,” however I selected to go a special route by coaching individually with my coach and thru my membership. I practice in quite a few different disciplines together with dance, free skate, expertise, and synchro, which helps me turn into a extra well-rounded skater. Coaching with my coach individually has helped me develop confidence on the ice.
Who choreographed your applications. What do you want greatest about dancing them?
My choreographer can also be my coach, Jaclyn. She has been nothing however supportive and motivating towards all of my targets in solo dance. Since we have now labored collectively for thus lengthy, she understands my skating model and what fits me greatest. I like that my applications really feel private to me and permit me to precise each the music and my character on the ice.
Please share a few of your solo dance accomplishments.
One among my first accomplishments was being one of many few skaters constantly competing in solo dance and serving to the self-discipline proceed to develop in Alberta. In 2025, I received the Star 8/9 Solo Sample Dance occasion on the Starskate Championships, and in 2026, I earned second place in Star 10/Gold Solo Sample Dances. At smaller competitions, I’ve additionally received silver medals in each novice free dance and sample dance occasions. Subsequent season, I hope to compete at Alberta Sectionals and work in direction of qualifying for the Skate Canada Trophy.
Solo Dance is now a world self-discipline. Have you ever competed internationally?
I’ve not but competed internationally, however it’s certainly one of my future targets. I sit up for persevering with to coach and hopefully having the chance to compete internationally at some point.
In skating, what are you most wanting ahead to this season? What might be your greatest challenges?
I’m most wanting ahead to competing a full season in novice solo dance and seeing the place it takes me. Whether or not which means competing at Sectionals or finally making it to the Skate Canada Trophy, I’m excited to proceed bettering and gaining expertise. One among my greatest challenges final season was coping with a lingering again damage that made constant coaching troublesome at instances. Fortunately, I used to be in a position to get well and end the season efficiently, which taught me quite a bit about perseverance and endurance.
What’s your favourite sample dance and why is it your favourite?
My favourite sample dance is the Argentine Tango due to its sharp timing, sturdy character, and steps. I like how expressive and dramatic it feels, and it actually challenges me to concentrate on precision and efficiency high quality on the similar time.
What do you assume makes solo dance a particular self-discipline?
I feel solo dance is particular as a result of it supplies a self-discipline the place skaters don’t must be the most effective at jumps and are in a position to carry out with creativity and artistry. It provides skaters the chance to precise themselves individually whereas nonetheless creating sturdy skating expertise and musicality. Since it’s nonetheless rising as a self-discipline, it’s thrilling to be a part of one thing that’s evolving and turning into extra acknowledged.
What are your short-term and long-term targets in solo dance?
My short-term targets are to proceed bettering my skating expertise, compete efficiently in novice solo dance, and qualify for higher-level competitions like Alberta Sectionals. Lengthy-term, I hope to compete on the Skate Canada Trophy and possibly finally internationally.
What are a few of the challenges in solo dance?
Solo dance could be very difficult as a result of it requires each sturdy technical skill and efficiency high quality on the similar time. Skaters must concentrate on edges, timing, musicality, and precision whereas additionally making the efficiency look easy and interesting. Since you’re competing alone, there may be plenty of stress to remain assured and constant with out counting on a associate or staff on the ice with you.
One other problem is that solo dance remains to be a creating self-discipline, particularly in Canada, so there can typically be fewer aggressive alternatives and fewer recognition in comparison with different skating disciplines. Nevertheless, I additionally assume that’s what makes it thrilling. Being a part of a rising self-discipline signifies that skaters have the chance to assist form the way forward for solo dance and encourage extra individuals to become involved.
Do you take part in some other skating-related actions? If that’s the case, please describe.
In determine skating, I additionally compete in synchronized skating, free skate, creative, and sample dance occasions. I’m at the moment on a aggressive synchronized skating staff in Calgary referred to as Black Gold Gold. Whereas I compete in freeskate at a decrease degree, creative and sample dances are my favourite disciplines as a result of they permit for creativity and expression. Being concerned in a number of disciplines has helped me turn into a stronger and extra versatile skater.
Should you might have a lesson with any ice dancer previous/current, who wouldn’t it be? Why?
If I might have a lesson with any ice dancers, I might select Tessa Advantage and Scott Moir. Rising up in Canada, they’ve all the time been a few of the most inspiring skaters for me to observe. I like their skating expertise, musicality, connection, and talent to inform a narrative each time they step onto the ice. What stands out most to me is how easy their skating seems whereas nonetheless being extremely detailed and technically sturdy.
I additionally admire how passionate and devoted they had been all through their careers, particularly the best way they continually pushed themselves to enhance and innovate in ice dance. Watching their performances made me admire the creative aspect of skating much more and impressed me to concentrate on efficiency high quality and expression in my very own applications.
I additionally actually admire Guillaume Cizeron and Laurence Fournier Beaudry. In 2025, I attended the Les Suprêmes Ardour synchro camp the place I used to be taught by Laurence and Guillaume. With the ability to watch their skating and edges up shut utterly modified the best way I considered ice dance and impressed me to pay extra consideration to the small particulars that make skating look easy and delightful.
What are your favourite off-ice actions?
Exterior of skating, I take part in a number of extracurricular actions at college, together with being a part of an all-girls FRC robotics staff and serving to with management media and advertising and marketing. In my free time, I get pleasure from listening to music, studying, spending time with buddies, and hopefully learning after I can.
Please share the rest you want to our readers to find out about you as a skater?
As a skater, I all the time attempt to stability competitiveness with having fun with the game and supporting others round me. I’m keen about persevering with to develop in solo dance whereas additionally collaborating in different disciplines. I hope to encourage youthful skaters to attempt solo dance and assist the self-discipline proceed rising in Alberta and throughout Canada.