American Ice Theatre

Remembering a Legend

Today we pay homage and remember a true legend in figure skating — Ricky Harris. She passed away at her home in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico at the age of 95. She is referred to as “the mother of choreography education in figure skating” and is known for her work with skating stars such as Scott Hamilton, Michelle Kwan, Evan Lysacek, Tai Babilonia & Randy Gardner,
She mentored AIT Founder Jodi Porter and they developed a friendship that lasted more than 20 years all through Ricky’s final days. In 2013, AIT gave Harris a Lifetime Achievement Award for her pioneering efforts to revolutionize figure skating choreography to allow choreographers to be more recognizable, established and appreciated in the figure skating community. In 2013 she also received a Lifetime Achievement Award through the Professional Skaters Association and in 2014 she was inducted into the US Figure Skating Hall of Fame.
Thank you Ricky for your amazing career! Her legacy lives on through so many continuing on her methodology and passion.

Read AIT Founder Jodi Porter’s tribute to Ricky

Listen to an interview with Ricky by the Manleywoman SkateCast

Buy her book “Choreography and Style for Ice Skaters”

Buy her book “The Coach’s Manual on Choreography and Style for Skating”

Response

Lisa B

April 10, 2018

She was a legend to me and other middle school girls at the Olympic Ice Arena in Harbor City, where we took her ballet class in the 1970s. She put a giant weight chart on the wall and chewed out those of us who were in the triple digits, I was 5’2” and 113, and she screamed at me publicly about this. It took decades to undo the damage she caused. I am no proponent of the fat acceptance movement, believe me, but shaming a 12 year old girl for being 113 is beyond the limits of how decent people should behave.

I’m glad she had a long life, but feel sorry for the hundreds of other little girls she imposed her delusions of perfection on.

Remembering a Legend

Response

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