Let the Music Play

Rohene Ward has earned global recognition for his work as a choreographer, particularly for the programs he has created for the American skater Jason Brown. But getting to this point in his life and career has been a long and often disappointing journey.

As a skater of mixed race, his competitive career was a series of highs and lows, both on and off the ice. However, after retiring in 2008, Ward found his calling and went on to develop a successful career on the other side of the boards.

Can you tell us about your family background and how you got into figure skating?

I grew up in North Minneapolis. My father was African American, and my mom is Puerto Rican. My parents never married, and they split up when I was a child. I have five brothers and sisters and I am the baby. My father had another family, but I did not meet any of my siblings until his funeral seven years ago.

I played hockey for a year at age 7 and started figure skating a year later. I began skating after going on a field trip with a summer camp and we went to a rink. After I put my skates on, I jumped onto the ice and once I got my bearings I just took off like a rocket.

The guards had to come and pull me off the ice when it was time to go. A coach who was there saw me and said I should be put into lessons.

The camp counselor told my mother that a coach was interested in my skating and that I was very talented, but she was like ‘whatever.’ It was my uncle who enrolled me in learn-to-skate classes. I have been skating ever since.

Who coached you during your career and who choreographed your programs?

Gailene Norwood coached me my entire career. I had other coaches that I worked with, but she was like my grandmother. But she knew