Introducing Taylor & Brown *

For Justin and his new ice dance partner, Madi Taylor, skating together means enjoying the best of two worlds.

Justin and Madi.

"We can laugh and have fun while we're working, which not a lot of people can do," Justin, 16, says. "It helps a lot that I've known (Madi) for so long."    

The teenagers have been friends for years, sharing time on the ice at Clearwater Ice Arena and also time hanging out as friends away from the rink. 

"I like ice dancing with Justin because he's one of my best friends so it's a lot more comfortable to express ourselves and have fun, and everything not be so uptight," says Madi, 15, who has been skating for seven years.

While Justin and Madi will continue to skate as single skaters, they decided to start ice dancing together about two months ago. Their coach is Laura Amelina.

Madi finishes 1st in her
June performance of
Swan Lake.

"They communicate well on the ice," says Coach Laura, as she points to the north end of the rink at Tampa Bay Skating Academy where Madi is skating closely behind Justin, mirroring his every move. He extends his leg; she extends her leg. He steps to the right; she steps to the right. They quickly are in sync. Because Justin already has a year of ice dance experience, Coach Laura explains, and Madi is an advanced skater and a natural dancer, (see photo at left) the two are a good match.

"Many partners don't let the other teach them, and that's too bad," she adds. 
  
Coach Laura will have Justin and Madi compete at the intermediate level this year in as many competitions as they can. 

"I think it would be cool if we went to regionals," Justin says.

The two skating in sync.

 Madi shares in that sentiment.

"My short term goal for this year is to make it to regionals and to pass all of our tests in order to get to that," she says. "And to compete as much as we can to show what we've worked on.

My long term goal for ice dancing is to be ranked in the U.S.," she says. "It doesn't matter where we're ranked, but just to be ranked would be really cool."

Justin, who is sitting right next to her, shakes his head in agreement and chimes in with a rousing "yes."

"Nationals is definitely a goal, too," Madi continues. "Not this year, but it's definitely a goal at some point."

Coach Laura illustrates how close
Justin and Madi need to be when they skate.

In order to make it to regionals this year for ice dancing it will take a lot more than dedication, lessons, practices, and passing tests. They also need a little luck. More time wouldn't hurt either. The deadline to compete in regionals is September 1. They need to pass 11 tests in seven weeks to qualify to compete at the intermediate level. 

First, Madi needs to pass the first three pattern dances and the juvenile free dance to catch up to Justin. Then they both need to pass six more pattern dances and the intermediate free dance. They're ready to take the first six pattern dances, but the first test session they can do that at is in several weeks. Most clubs only have one test session a month, sometimes less than that.

"Whether we get first or last or whether we go to regionals or not," Justin says. "I want to have fun. That's why I started ice dancing - for fun." He pauses and then adds: "But regionals would definitely amplify the fun."

To follow are a series of questions and answers to get to know the ice dance team of Madi Taylor and Justin Brown both on and off the ice.

Q: What do you like about ice dancing?

Justin: It's fun to skate with somebody. I like skating to the beat of the music, and how music plays a more important role. 


Madi: I like skating with a partner because it develops team sportsmanship skills. I like expressing my ability through someone else, through my partner as one, because that's what ice dancing is you're skating as one.

Q: What do you like to do when you're not skating?

Justin: I pretty much sit motionless at the computer all day. And I also like to spend time with Mei Mei. (His girlfriend.) And I like to watch Anime.

Madi: I like singing, being with friends off the ice, and the beach.

Q: What is your perfect Saturday?

Madi: Lazy day, not doing anything after skating all week.

Justin: I actually like having my dad take me to skating on Saturday mornings, and I like when he cooks stuff all day. I also like to sleep a lot, and go out to eat somewhere.

Q: Who are you listening to now on your iPod?

Justin: Neon Trees. fun. Amy Winehouse. Maroon 5.

Madi: I really like John Mayer, Jason Mraz, and Sublime.

Q: What is your favorite food?

Madi: Fettucini Alfredo, and anything chocolate.

Justin: Chinese food, and chocolate.

Q: If a movie star were to play you in the story of your life, who would it be?

Justin: Ryan Gosling. That would bring in lots of movie-goers.

Madi: Taylor Swift.

Q: You both have significant others. (Justin's is Mei Mei. Madi's is Zack.) How did you meet? 

Madi & Zack.

Madi: At Clearwater Ice Arena. He's a hockey player, a goalie.

Justin: We met at a gathering at the mall.

Q: What are some characteristics you really like about your significant others?

Madi: He's really shy. He has a great personality and he plays an instrument. (A guitar.) He's really, really good at it.

Justin & Mei Mei.

Justin: She's really smart, and she's really funny. And she's an amazing artist.  

Q: What are your favorite dance patterns and moves so far?

Madi: The Canasta and the Swing. And I like the lifts.

Justin: The Swing. The Fiesta Tango. And Twizzles.

Q: Who is your favorite figure skater?

Madi: My biggest inspiration is Sasha Cohen and I really like Yuna Kim. For ice dancers, it's Tanith Belbin & Ben Agosto.

Justin: My favorite skaters are Elizaveta Tuktamysheva and Mao Asada and Diasuke Takahashi. My favorite ice dancers are Tanith Belbin & Ben Agosto, Meryl Davis & Charlie White. (Dramatic pause.) And us, Taylor & Brown.

*Unfortunately, the partnership with Madi didn't work out. We miss Madi. We wish her the very best.













 

Justin Passes Intermediate Moves

Justin practicing some of his intermediate moves. Even though his new boots
were hurting him, he passed his intermediate moves in the field test
on Saturday, June 9th. :) For those who may not know, intermediate moves
are the 5th of 8 skills tests that require figure skaters to focus on increasing
levels of form and accuracy on the ice.

Justin Landing A Double Salchow

The pictures are blurry but at least I got him in the air. :)