Episode Notes

My guest today is ice dancer and choreographer Jean-Luc Baker. With his partner Kaitlin Hawayak, Jean-Luc is the 2018 Four Continents Champion, a 4-time US Bronze Medalist, and a 2022 Olympian. Since stepping away from competition a few seasons ago, Jean-Luc has embraced his role as a coach and choreographer. He continues to teach seminars through his organization Your True Step, which he runs with friends Nathan Chen and Sam Chouinard, and he has even tried out commentating during the practice streams at US Nationals and Worlds. Jean-Luc works with teams at the Ice Academy of Montreal and the Michigan Ice Dance Academy, and has also branched out into choreographing for pairs and singles skaters. As you’ll hear, Jean-Luc is a believer in the power of authenticity, and he isn’t scared to have an opinion - which I love!

Transcript: https://docs.google.com/document/d/1vwYtH4oPbBzQw-QYwuQHxW-EeXsdzXotEUcHLZak5ZY/edit?tab=t.0

YouTube: https://youtu.be/WjV4Hn7415c

You can learn more about Your True Step on Instagram at @ yourtruestep and follow Jean-Luc at @jeanlucbaker

Kaitlin Hawayak and Jean-Luc Baker, 2024 Rhythm Dance, filmed by On Ice Perspectives: https://youtu.be/Wru_Mz8UbCM?si=WdDHGtGCyBdmA_pV

Lia Pereira and Trennt Michaud 24/25 Short Program, choreo by Jean-Luc Baker and Olivia Smart: https://youtu.be/tmNH4uVoM90?si=DVeM6kfqYZGrHHq2

Caroline Green and Michael Parsons 24/25 Free Dance, choreo by Jean-Luc Baker: https://youtu.be/h-yquwGqLG0?si=Qcaon2qkGTuTvMGF

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