#JacksonFamily Interviews w. Angela Wang Part 2
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In our interview series, we go behind the scenes and talk with some of our skaters to get to know them a little bit better! This week, we got the opportunity to catch up with Team USA’s Angela Wang as she’s recently completed the move from Colorado Springs to Edmonton! With a new set of Grand Prix assignments, new programs and new coaching staff, Angela has a lot to fill us in on!
Wangster! Since we last talked, you’ve had some changes in scenery! Can you tell us a little about your move to Edmonton?
It happened super quickly! We finished our last show in Sun Valley over Labor Day weekend and I drove my car up the next day. It’s been one of the most difficult decisions I’ve made in my life and I am definitely still adjusting to being here, but there are great people here and in my life who have helped make it easier.
Rapid fire: “Living in Edmonton” vs “Colorado Springs:”
Metric system, eh?
Touché. So musical insights for this season, any significance behind Kesha & Send In The Clowns? Were they choices you have had for a while? And we’ll be honest, it’s pretty cool to hear you are working with Michelle Kwan!
The first time I heard “Praying”, it came on the radio while I was driving and I
immediately thought it’d be a great piece for someone to skate to. Michelle Kwan suggested it when we were brainstorming music ideas and I was immediately sold.
I have always loved “Send in the Clowns”, especially after seeing Queen Yuna skate to it in 2014. It’s so emotional and powerful, and I have been enjoying being able to work with Tanith White on this program.
Your listed hobbies include: silent tap dancing, blindfolded potato sac racing, dry swimming, dabbing & “hey girling.” What do you do outside of all your hobbies and skating? Is school still in the picture?
Oh my gosh it is hilarious that you actually found that! While these hobbies take up most of my free time, I honestly love finding time on the weekends — usually after an intense blindfolded potato sac race — to just FaceTime friends and catch up.
In the summer, I enjoyed volunteering at the local humane society to walk dogs since I didn’t have mine up in Sun Valley with me. Now, free time is spent catching up on schoolwork.
Speaking of schoolwork — I am still (very slowly at the moment) chipping away at that degree! Because I’m up in Edmonton now, I’m just taking one online class this semester. I’ll get that diploma someday, I swear!
Back to back Grand Prix assignments, Finland and Russia, have you been to both countries yet? Are you planning on sightseeing in between the two?
I haven’t planned much yet, but I would of course love to do some sightseeing. Finland and Japan have actually been two of my favorite places to compete in, so I am super stoked to be going back! This will be my third trip to both countries, though the last time I was in Japan was wayyyyy back in 2013. (I’m old).
I think everyone is always jealous of you training in Sun Valley in the summer time. How long have you been training there? Maybe you can speak to what’s different about the environment there that brings you back every year?
It is BEAUTIFUL there! Skating on their outdoor ice rink is seriously an experience. To be able to glide around with nothing but the open sky above you is incredibly freeing and up lifting. I feel so lucky to have been able to train up there the last three summer and for the opportunity to perform in the shows every weekend. This past year was my first time being a full time cast member and I think it was one of the best ways to get a taste of what being in a professional show is like. The memories and experiences were invaluable.
Sun Valley is such a positive and happy place filled with great people, and I
think that everyone should get the chance to skate on that incredible sheet of ice!
And of course, we have to end on a dog related question. Another Rapid Fire, your favorite dog breed:
They’re all great. Don’t discriminate.
Angela’s Equipment: Elite Supreme 5500 Boots