lilywang wrote:I also very much wish he could keep Zhulin's program, or at least keep working with Zhulin. The new program is getting great reviews everywhere I read. He needs a good program that satisfies CoP system for competition, Zhulin's program is very audience-pleasing and has many steps and transitions that suit the current system. He may want to work with ballet dancers as before, but for competitive programs, he should be realistic and step out of his comfort zone a bit. Ice dancers are great choreographers since they know a lot about steps and transitions.
And it always worries me a bit whenever he become undecided on program choices. I always felt that "Chopin" would be a better SP for last season. I hope he hear more feedbacks from other experts in the field before making a decision. He always has passion and raw emotions in his program, but it may be time to show a more disciplined program, more precise and controlled movement, more subtle and nuanced performance, and Zhulin's program provides that.
I totally agree!!! If he wants to work with Smekalov or other ballet dancers he can do it for exhibitions or off ice, because some ballet classes will help him a lot. But for competions Zhulin is what he needs.