Tessa Virtue has spent the majority of her life honing her skills in control. Whether on the ice, where she mastered the delicate balance on a blade and the art of seamless movements with partner Scott Moir, or in transforming ice dance into a captivating narrative filled with speed, precision, trust, and emotion, Virtue has left an indelible mark on Canadian sports history with three Olympic gold medals and world titles.
Now facing a new challenge, Virtue is stepping out of her comfort zone to embrace uncertainty and perform a contemporary dance solo choreographed by Alyssa Martin, a creative producer at the National Ballet of Canada. The premiere is set for Oct. 15 at the Fall for Dance North Festival in Toronto, marking Virtue’s transition from the rink to the stage, where her passion for dance first blossomed.
Expressing a mix of excitement and apprehension, Virtue views this opportunity as both a return to her roots and a nerve-wracking endeavor that fuels her with energy and excitement. The solo represents a departure from the controlled perfection of elite skating, requiring her to explore a more fluid, daring, and vulnerable approach to movement.
In a departure from her usual partnership with Moir, Virtue will take the stage alone, a significant shift after years of performing as part of a duo. Despite initially reaching out to Moir for a duet, Virtue found a new sense of collaboration and support within the dance community and her creative team, including Martin, who was drawn to Virtue’s authentic and generous performance style.
Set to Céline Dion’s powerful ballad “It’s All Coming Back to Me Now,” the solo promises to showcase Virtue’s emotional depth and artistic prowess, embodying the festival’s spirit of artistic risk-taking. Festival director Robert Binet sees this collaboration as a unique fusion of artistic backgrounds, united by a shared love for dance and a desire to push boundaries.
As Virtue prepares to unveil her solo performance, she hopes audiences will be open to experiencing the raw emotions and storytelling conveyed through movement, emphasizing that one does not need to be well-versed in dance to appreciate the artistry on display. Looking ahead, Virtue remains open to new challenges, guided by courage rather than unwavering confidence.
Virtue’s solo dance debut is scheduled for Oct. 15 at the Fall for Dance North Festival in Toronto, running from Oct. 15-25.