Hello Group,
I want to make aware of publications by Ricky Harris! She is wonderful
and I highly recommend her. Below is her bio and information, if you
love choreography like I do, you might want to consider reading her books
for inspiration. IF you want to go further, I am sure you could attend
one of her workshops. For more info on the book and Ricky, you can go to
her website and click on the book and other links there:

Ricky Harris
Choreographer-Educator-Author
www.aboutrickyharris.com

---Marion

---------------------------------
An internationally reknown choreographer and artistic coach for skaters,
Ricky Harris is a former professional skater herself. She holds a BA in
drama, MFA in dance, and Ph.D in Choreography. Following her education,
she pursued a successful career as a dancer and actress. Dr. Harris was a
columnist for Skating Magazine for ten years, and also created and starred
in a PBS television series, "Dancethenics". The list of skaters she has
choreographed for reads like the "Who's Who" of skating. Since 1974, she
has conducted workshops internationally. Her book "Choreography and Style
for Ice Skaters" is used throughout the world.



Foreward (to her newest book!)
by Frank Carroll

One of my fondest memories of Ricky Harris occurred while she was creating
a program for a very young Christopher Bowman. Christopher had won the
bronze medal in the U.S. Novice National Championships, was not yet 12
years old; and had chosen to skate to "Birth of the Blues" for a show. We
met in a ballet room [of sorts] at the Paramount Ice Rink, home to the
Arctic Blades Figure Skating Club. In no time at all we were throwing
ourselves everywhere--crawling on our knees, listening to the music,
experimenting with all kinds of blues and sultry movements. The program
was a great success, and remains one of my favorite programs of his
career. The thing that is strongest in my recollection of the event was
the great fun I had that day! On the drive back to Los Angeles I kept
thinking how much Ricky had drawn out of Christopher; what a wonderful
positive attitude she kept throughout the process of creating the piece,
and finally--how much I admired her.
Ricky Harris has been a pioneer in creating a place for choreographers on
ice, and in educating the public that the choreographer’s place in the
sport is not just to fluff arms and embellish mediocre programs. She was
instrumental in establishing the Professional Skaters Association rating
in choreography. She was one of the first master-rated coaches in that
discipline and helped set the criteria, and much of the direction that the
oral examination should take.
The list of legendary skaters she has worked with is incredible--Scott
Hamilton, Michele Kwan, Linda Fratianne, Christopher Bowman, and Brian
Boitano is just a few. The famous Canadian choreographer, Lori Nichol,
credits Ricky with giving her the inspiration and the early basic theory
of how to create and teach choreography, and often draws on these
principles in her work.
In any field it is possible to acquire great knowledge, but to be able to
pass on that knowledge and be a great teacher is an entirely different
matter. This is where Ricky Harris excels. Her approach to teaching is
organized, academic, and inspiring! She is open to all new ideas, music,
movement, color, literature, etc. She is a learner, as are all great
teachers!
I am so lucky to know Ricky Harris and to have her as a friend. My life is
richer for it. I do wish she would disclose the location of the fountain
of youth she so obviously visits.
Frank Carroll
Olympic Coach of the Year
USFSA Hall of Fame
Coaches Hall of Fame