Tessa Virtue has spent most of her life mastering control. On the ice, she honed her ability to find the perfect balance point on a blade, trust her partner completely, and execute even the most challenging moves with grace. Teaming up with Scott Moir, they revolutionized ice dance by incorporating speed, precision, trust, and emotion into their performances, securing three Olympic gold medals, three world titles, and a lasting legacy in Canadian sports.
Now, Virtue faces a new challenge that goes against her usual approach as an elite athlete: letting go of control, embracing uncertainty, and taking the stage solo. Her contemporary dance solo, choreographed by Alyssa Martin from the National Ballet of Canada, debuts on Oct. 15 at the Fall for Dance North Festival in Toronto. This marks Virtue’s first major performance off the ice, returning to her roots in dance.
Although excited and honored by the opportunity, Virtue admits to experiencing mixed emotions. She described the experience as both a return and a terrifying endeavor, which adds an electrifying and invigorating element to the performance. Dance was Virtue’s first passion, providing solace during her time away from home due to skating commitments.
Transitioning from ice dancing to stage dancing required Virtue to adapt her skills and mindset. Unlike the controlled perfection demanded in elite skating, stage dance demands a different relationship with the body, focusing on momentum and energy created by playing with balance and recovery rather than maintaining a static equilibrium.
Embracing the raw and messy aspects of dance has been cathartic for Virtue, leading her away from the rigidity of elite skating towards a more expressive and vulnerable style. This solo performance also marks a significant moment for Virtue as she steps back into the spotlight alone after years of partnership with Moir.
Despite initially considering a duet with Moir, Virtue found a new kind of partnership in her collaborators and the dance community. Alyssa Martin praised Virtue’s authentic and generous performance style, emphasizing her warmth and power on stage. The solo is set to Céline Dion’s “It’s All Coming Back to Me Now,” chosen for its emotional depth and Virtue’s ability to bring power to the piece.
Robert Binet, the artistic director of Fall for Dance North Festival, lauded the collaboration as a bold artistic risk that aligns with the festival’s mission to promote innovative performances. He hopes the audience will witness Virtue’s versatility beyond the ice and appreciate the universal language of dance.
Virtue encourages audiences to engage with the performance openly, emphasizing the emotional connection over technical understanding. As she prepares for the premiere on Oct. 15, Virtue remains open to new challenges and opportunities, guided by courage rather than constant confidence.
Virtue’s solo debut at Fall for Dance North in Toronto promises a unique and captivating experience, showcasing her evolution from ice dancer to stage performer.