Role of the Choreographer in Figure Skating

The purpose of the article is to identify the role of a choreographer in working with figure skating athletes. Methodology. Historical and chronological approach, the method of the art analysis of the skaters’ performances, a comparative method provided the study. Scientific novelty. For the first time, attention is focused on the role of the choreographer in the training of athletes in figure skating and the creation of sports programs for them. Conclusions. The artistic effect of performance in figure skating, which is achieved by the beauty of the movements, when they are organically united with the music, is provided to a large extent by the choreographer, who creates the dance background of the sport composition, providing a combination of artistic and athletic. The choreographer of sports programs is armed with a whole range of varieties, directions and styles of choreographic art. An important feature of the created compositions is variety, which implies a vivid disclosure of the performers’ individuality. To create an individual dance style for figure skaters, long-term, systematic lessons are needed for years. The work of a choreographer in training figure skaters requires a combination of traditional dance techniques and forms of work with specific sports requirements (exercise at the bar and in the middle of the hall is adapted to achieve maximum benefit for the skaters, in particular, on a narrow support). When developing musical accompaniment for a performance, the choreographer must take into account the psychophysical characteristics and emotional capabilities of an individual performer, couple or group of athletes, because athletes to varying degrees can have a wide variety of roles (heroic, romantic, dramatic, comic, etc.). The choreographer should also be careful with the use of musical fragments from ballet performances for sports compositions, where the composer creates an image of a philosophical sound.