Solo Q&A: Victoria Klyukanov
Photos by Danielle Earl
In this Solo Q&A, learn more about Victoria Klyukanov, a novice ice dancer from Canada. Victoria is coached by Jaclyn Holmes and trains in Calgary, Alberta. Follow Victoria’s ice dance journey via her Instagram @victoriaklyukanov.
Tell us about how your skating journey began. What drew you to the ice? Do you have any special memories?
I started skating after joining Parent and Tot lessons in Calgary, at around age three. At first it was just something that my parents made me do, but as I continued through the levels, I began to fall in love with the sport. What drew me to skating most was the balance between athleticism and artistry. I loved that skating allowed me to combine skills with creativity, performance, and musical expression. Over time, I became especially interested in ice dance because of how detailed and expressive it is.
Some of my favorite memories have come from competitions and practices throughout the years. I’ve loved traveling with teammates for synchronized skating competitions, achieving personal goals in solo dance, and performing programs that were so much fun in every way possible. One memory that stands out most was stepping onto the ice for my first novice solo dance competition, because it felt like the beginning of a new chapter.
When and why did you choose to do solo dance?
I chose to begin solo dance a little over a year ago, starting with Star 8/9 pattern dances. After winning the Starskate Championships, my coach and I decided to explore competitive solo dance further by beginning with the novice free dance. I continued competing in novice solo dance throughout this year, and it has been one of the best decisions I’ve made. Solo dance allowed me to grow both technically and artistically while helping me gain confidence as a performer and a skater.
What do you like most about Solo Dance? What kind of music to you like to skate to the best? Why?
What I love most about solo dance is the freedom and creativity it gives me. It allows me to fully express the music and focus on details like edges, timing, and performing. I especially enjoy skating to more upbeat or even tango music because I feel like it helps me connect more with the program and perform with stronger expression. I also enjoy dramatic music styles that make the choreography stand out.
Tell us about your training site.
In Calgary there is one major “dance school,” but I chose to go a different route by training individually with my coach and through my club. I train in numerous other disciplines including dance, free skate, skills, and synchro, which helps me become a more well-rounded skater. Training with my coach individually has helped me develop confidence on the ice.
Who choreographed your programs. What do you like best about dancing them?
My choreographer is also my coach, Jaclyn. She has been nothing but supportive and motivating toward all of my goals in solo dance. Since we have worked together for so long, she understands my skating style and what suits me best. I love that my programs feel personal to me and allow me to express both the music and my personality on the ice.
Please share some of your solo dance accomplishments.
One of my first accomplishments was being one of the few skaters consistently competing in solo dance and helping the discipline continue to grow in Alberta. In 2025, I won the Star 8/9 Solo Pattern Dance event at the Starskate Championships, and in 2026, I earned second place in Star 10/Gold Solo Pattern Dances. At smaller competitions, I have also won silver medals in both novice free dance and pattern dance events. Next season, I hope to compete at Alberta Sectionals and work towards qualifying for the Skate Canada Trophy.
Solo Dance is now an international discipline. Have you competed internationally?
I have not yet competed internationally, but it is one of my future goals. I look forward to continuing to train and hopefully having the opportunity to compete internationally one day.
In skating, what are you most looking forward to this season? What will be your biggest challenges?
I am most looking forward to competing a full season in novice solo dance and seeing where it takes me. Whether that means competing at Sectionals or eventually making it to the Skate Canada Trophy, I’m excited to continue improving and gaining experience. One of my biggest challenges last season was dealing with a lingering back injury that made consistent training difficult at times. Thankfully, I was able to recover and finish the season successfully, which taught me a lot about perseverance and patience.
What is your favorite pattern dance and why is it your favorite?
My favorite pattern dance is the Argentine Tango because of its sharp timing, strong character, and steps. I love how expressive and dramatic it feels, and it really challenges me to focus on precision and performance quality at the same time.
What do you think makes solo dance a special discipline?
I think solo dance is special because it provides a discipline where skaters don’t have to be the best at jumps and are able to perform with creativity and artistry. It gives skaters the opportunity to express themselves individually while still developing strong skating skills and musicality. Since it is still growing as a discipline, it’s exciting to be part of something that is evolving and becoming more recognized.
What are your short-term and long-term goals in solo dance?
My short-term goals are to continue improving my skating skills, compete successfully in novice solo dance, and qualify for higher-level competitions like Alberta Sectionals. Long-term, I hope to compete at the Skate Canada Trophy and maybe eventually internationally.
What are some of the challenges in solo dance?
Solo dance can be very challenging because it requires both strong technical ability and performance quality at the same time. Skaters need to focus on edges, timing, musicality, and precision while also making the performance look effortless and engaging. Since you are competing alone, there is a lot of pressure to stay confident and consistent without relying on a partner or team on the ice with you.
Another challenge is that solo dance is still a developing discipline, especially in Canada, so there can sometimes be fewer competitive opportunities and less recognition compared to other skating disciplines. However, I also think that is what makes it exciting. Being part of a growing discipline means that skaters have the opportunity to help shape the future of solo dance and encourage more people to get involved.
Do you participate in any other skating-related activities? If so, please describe.
In figure skating, I also compete in synchronized skating, free skate, artistic, and pattern dance events. I am currently on a competitive synchronized skating team in Calgary called Black Gold Gold. While I compete in freeskate at a lower level, artistic and pattern dances are my favorite disciplines because they allow for creativity and expression. Being involved in multiple disciplines has helped me become a stronger and more versatile skater.
If you could have a lesson with any ice dancer past/present, who would it be? Why?
If I could have a lesson with any ice dancers, I would choose Tessa Virtue and Scott Moir. Growing up in Canada, they have always been some of the most inspiring skaters for me to watch. I admire their skating skills, musicality, connection, and ability to tell a story every time they step onto the ice. What stands out most to me is how effortless their skating looks while still being incredibly detailed and technically strong.
I also admire how passionate and dedicated they were throughout their careers, especially the way they constantly pushed themselves to improve and innovate in ice dance. Watching their performances made me appreciate the artistic side of skating even more and inspired me to focus on performance quality and expression in my own programs.
I also really admire Guillaume Cizeron and Laurence Fournier Beaudry. In 2025, I attended the Les Suprêmes Passion synchro camp where I was taught by Laurence and Guillaume. Being able to watch their skating and edges up close completely changed the way I viewed ice dance and inspired me to pay more attention to the small details that make skating look effortless and beautiful.
What are your favorite off-ice activities?
Outside of skating, I participate in several extracurricular activities at school, including being part of an all-girls FRC robotics team and helping with leadership media and marketing. In my free time, I enjoy listening to music, reading, spending time with friends, and hopefully studying when I can.
Please share anything else you would like our readers to know about you as a skater?
As a skater, I always try to balance competitiveness with enjoying the sport and supporting others around me. I’m passionate about continuing to grow in solo dance while also participating in other disciplines. I hope to inspire younger skaters to try solo dance and help the discipline continue growing in Alberta and across Canada.