2026-27 Program Music and Choreographers

^^^ Thanks @spin2win - I've re-posted the Golden Skate article links on the Kim twins in the Korean news thread.

Kaitlyn Weaver spoke about choreographing the short programs for Yujae: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DbCeuiDi1Xj/
And for Yuseong: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DbCd0zaCAAp/
Source is the Kims' Sports' marketing firm.

Darya Grimm/Grigorii Rodin (GER)
Junior RD music: Giselle, Act I (Tasmanian Symphony Orchestra)
FD: Madonna (via costume designers):
 
Darya specified "Like a Prayer" in an Insta story. I don't know if there are any other songs included.
Like A Prayer, Madonna & Epic Version for Grimm/Rodin's FD:

Now that the entries for the first JGP have been published, ISU bios will be updated in the week(s) ahead - maybe this thread should focus primarily on the Senior Grand Prix/Challengers/Sr. B international skaters?
 
Rika Kihira/Shingo Nishiyama (JPN)
FD: "Mon Dieu" by Edith Piaf/"Song for the Little Sparrow" by Abel Korzeniowski
Choreographer: Romain Haguenauer

Raffaella Koncius/Alexey Shchepetov (USA)
FD: Evita
They mention working with Chock/Bates on this one, but I don't know whether they were the only choreographers. Thanks to @Sylvia for posting this one in the U.S. ice dance thread.
 
Rika Kihira/Shingo Nishiyama (JPN)
FD: "Mon Dieu" by Edith Piaf/"Song for the Little Sparrow" by Abel Korzeniowski
Choreographer: Romain Haguenauer
Thanks for reminding me that I forgot to cross-post from the Japanese news thread - "Golden Hour" and "this is what falling in love feels like," collaborations between JVKE and Fujii Kaze [remix] is Kihira/Nishiyama's RD music, also choreographed by Haguenauer.
From Skate Japan News on X - This interview with Rika Kihira on her 24th birthday (July 21) reveals Kihira/Shingo Nishiyama's 2026-27 program music: https://www.tokyo-sports.co.jp/articles/-/396561
[What about this season's programs?] I commissioned Roman Haguenauer to choreograph both the rhythm dance (RD) and the free dance (FD), and spent about two months refining them in Montreal, Canada, where I'm based.
 RD chose "Golden Hour" and "this is what falling in love feels like," collaborations between JVKE and Fujii Kaze [remix]. Kihira said excitedly, "I couldn't think of any classic waltz songs, but 'golden hour' was already on my playlist. I'm so happy to be able to skate to a song I love."
 FD selected "Mon Dieu" and "Song for the Little Sparrow." "(Nishiyama) Shingo came up with the idea. We talked about wanting to give a more mature performance than last year. Since it's a love story, we want to express a romantic feeling," she said enthusiastically.
 
Thanks for reminding me that I forgot to cross-post from the Japanese news thread - "Golden Hour" and "this is what falling in love feels like," collaborations between JVKE and Fujii Kaze [remix] is Kihira/Nishiyama's RD music, also choreographed by Haguenauer.
finally some fujii kaze representation
 
Switzerland's Naoki Rossi is coming back this year after taking last season off for health reasons. He posted to IG teasing a program using Let Down by Radiohead. The text of the post explicitly said he was using Radiohead, however it being Let Down was only implied -- it was the track dubbed over the video of him doing choreography work with Deniss Vasiljevs. As a huge Radiohead fan, I'm excited to see this!

Edit: Deniss posted a message about the "cat being out of the bag" show himself demo-skating to Let Down being played overhead. Yay! I love that song.
 
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I don't think this has been posted yet.
Alicia Fabbri and Marko Gaidachenko SD to Billie Eilish, FD to Beth Hart "Caught Out in the Rain"
 
Yihan Wang (CHN)
SP: "Tempeste" from Alcione by Marin Marais/"Click Clack Symphony" by Raye feat. Hans Zimmer (@Aussie Willy , you got your wish!)
Choreographer: Stephane Lambiel

Here's a YouTube link from the Chinese interclub competition. I think X is trying to give my phone brainworms so I didn't see it til now:
 
Summer Homick/Nicholas Buelow (CAN)
FD: Evita
Choreographers: Kaitlyn Weaver and Mitch Islam
cannot tell you how happy i am to see Mitch back involved in skating.
 
cannot tell you how happy i am to see Mitch back involved in skating.
Mitch Islam never left skating - I think continuing to work in the skating world helped him navigate through the grieving process these past 3 years (ICYMI, the driver was sentenced in May 2026: https://www.fsuniverse.net/forum/th...illed-in-car-wreck.110914/page-5#post-6928786).

Louise Cohas Bogey & Daniil Grishin per their ISU bio

Choreographer : Barbara Piton <snip>
I've gone through the JGP Xi'An CHN entries/subs links and here is a sampling of skaters whose program music is updated for this season.

JUNIOR ICE DANCE (in addition to France's Cohas Bogey/Grishin https://isu-skating.com/figure-skating/skaters/pairs/louise-cohas-bogey-daniil-grishin/) above:

Jane Calhoun/Mark Zheltyshev (USA) https://isu-skating.com/figure-skating/skaters/pairs/jane-calhoun-mark-zheltyshev/
RD: Woland (from "The Master and Margarita") by Igor Korneliuk / Waltz by Igor Korneliuk
FD: Yo Soy Maria by Milva, Astor Piazzolla / María de Buenos Aires by Dulce Pontes, Astor Piazzolla / No Title by Karl Hugo / María de Buenos Aires by Dulce Pontes, Astor Piazzolla
Choreographers - Nikolai Morozov (FD): https://www.instagram.com/p/DWz1hlEEXbq/
Lukas Csolley (RD): https://www.instagram.com/p/DY8XuEloWDm/

Annelise Stapert/Maxim Korotcov (USA) https://isu-skating.com/figure-skating/skaters/pairs/annelise-stapert-maxim-korotcov/
RD: Oh Ms Believer by Twenty One Pilots / Implicit Demand for Proof by Twenty One Pilots
FD: The Trees by Max Richter
Choreographers: Elena Novak, Sean Cheeseman

Aneta Vaclavikova/William Lissauer (USA) https://isu-skating.com/figure-skating/skaters/pairs/aneta-vaclavikova-william-lissauer/
RD: Young and Beautiful (from "The Great Gatsby") by Lana Del Rey / A Little Party Never Killed Nobody (from "The Great Gatsby") by Fergie, Q-Tip & GoonRock
FD: Moonlight Sonata by Ludwig van Beethoven performed by Sandra Kissy (last's season's music)
Choreographer: Haus of Diamonds (Melissa Gregory/Denis Petukhov's group)

Rylen Lukanin/Patrick O'Brien (USA) https://isu-skating.com/figure-skating/skaters/pairs/rylen-lukanin-patrick-obrien/
RD: New Music by Mark Jacoby, Marin Mazzie, Steven Sutcliffe, Brian Stokes Mitchell [original Broadway cast of Ragtime: The Musical]
FD: Titanic (soundtrack) by James Horner
Choreographers: Kaitlyn Weaver, Igor Lukanin

JUNIOR WOMEN

Annika Chao (USA) https://isu-skating.com/figure-skating/skaters/annika-chao/
SP: The Nutcracker Op 71, Pas de deux by Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, André Previn, London Symphony Orchestra,
FS: Romeo and Juliet (soundtrack) by Nino Rota, Nic Raine, The City Of Prague Philharmonic Orchestra
Choreographer: Grant Hochstein

Lia Cho (CAN) https://isu-skating.com/figure-skating/skaters/lia-cho/
SP: Die Fledermaus by Johann Strauss II
FS: Scheherazade by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov (her last season's music)
Choreographer: Jeffrey Buttle

Elizaveta Grashchenkova (UZB) https://isu-skating.com/figure-skating/skaters/elizaveta-grashchenkova/
SP: Toxic arranged by 2WEI
FS: Invierno Porteno by Astor Piazzolla
Choreographer: not listed

Ariel Guo (HKG) https://isu-skating.com/figure-skating/skaters/ariel-guo/
SP: Boom Boom by John Lee Hooker
FS: Six Beatles Impressions: No. 3 by Ron Goodwin
Choreographers: Benoit Richard (SP), Kaku Sachico (FS)

Jeongyul Hwang (KOR) https://isu-skating.com/figure-skating/skaters/jeongyul-hwang/
SP: Je pense a vous
FS: The Greatest Showman (soundtrack)
Choreographer: Yeaji Shin

Angela Shao (USA) https://isu-skating.com/figure-skating/skaters/angela-shao/
SP: Nureyev (from "The White Crow") by Lisa Batiashvili, Ilan Eshkeri
FS: Ave Maria performed by Roy & Rosemary (last season's music)
Choreographers: Logan Giulietti-Schmitt (new SP), Drew Meekins

Kalyn Shimogaki (AUS) https://isu-skating.com/figure-skating/skaters/kalyn-shimogaki/
SP: Butterfly Lovers
FS: Desire
Choreographers: Akiko Suzuki, Noriko Sato

Renee Tsai (NZL) https://isu-skating.com/figure-skating/skaters/renee-tsai/
SP: Joyful Joyful by Ayaka Hirahara
FS: Nessun Dorma by Giacamo Puccini
Choreographers: Satoko Miyahara (SP), Akiko Suzuki (FS)

JUNIOR MEN

Caleb Farrington (USA) https://isu-skating.com/figure-skating/skaters/caleb-farrington/
SP: Paxi Ni Ngongo by Bonga / Magalenha by Sergio Mendes, Carlinhos Brown / Fanfarra by Cabua-Le-Le, Sergio Mendes, Carlinhos Brown
FS: The Strange One by Abel Korzeniowski / Angels & Demons by Hans Zimmer / November by Max Richter
Choreographers: Katherine Hill, Johnny Weir

Jarvis Ho (HKG): https://isu-skating.com/figure-skating/skaters/jarvis-ho/
SP: Back from the Edge by James Arthur (last season's music)
FS: Moonlight Sonata by Ludwig van Beethoven / Truman Sleeps by Philip Glass / Escape! by Nick Ingman, John Bradbury, Michael Riesman
Choreographers: Craig Heath Thomas, Jarvis Ho

Gyujin Hwang (KOR) https://isu-skating.com/figure-skating/skaters/gyujin-hwang/
SP: 3 Etudes de Concert, S.144 No.3 in D-Flat Un sospiro by Franz Liszt
FS: Zelda / Breath of the Wild / ICO / You Were There
Choreographer: Yeaji Shin? (old ISU bio)
His 2025/26 SP & FS music is the same: https://results.isu.org/bios/isufs00123933.htm
Music Free Skating / Free Dance as of season 2025/2026
The Legend of Zelda
Breath of the Wild
Trailer BGM by Manaka Kataoka, Yasuaki Iwata, Hajime Wakai
You Were There (ICO soundtrack)

Yesung Kim (KOR) https://isu-skating.com/figure-skating/skaters/yesung-kim/
SP: Your Song
FS: Game of Thrones
Choreographer: not yet listed

Jiarui Li (HKG) https://isu-skating.com/figure-skating/skaters/jiarui-li/
SP: Don Quixote by Ludwig Minkus (last season's music)
FS: Piano Machine by Jo Blankenburg / Preeminence by Audiomachine
Choreographer: Chen Wang

Zachary LoPinto (USA): https://isu-skating.com/figure-skating/skaters/zachary-lopinto/
SP: Papaoutai by Stromae
FS: Prophecies by Philip Glass / Soldiers by Kyle Dixon, Michael Stein / Separate Ways (Worlds Apart) by Journey, Steve Perry
Choreographer: Benoit Richaud

Felix Haoyu Zeng (GER) https://isu-skating.com/figure-skating/skaters/felix-haoyu-zeng/
SP: Danse Macabre by Camille Saint‑Saëns (last season's music)
FS: The Fire Within by Jennifer Thomas, Kimberly Starkey
Choreographer: Frank Dehne

Note: This is not a comprehensive list. :)
 
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cannot tell you how happy i am to see Mitch back involved in skating.

Not to derail the thread but yes, adding to what Sylvia posted above, he's been coaching all along -- in a podcast I posted in the previous Canadian ice dance thread, he says that having his son and work that he's passionate about are what get him through. More on topic, his choreography collaboration with Kaitlyn also came about as a consequence of the loss: https://www.twofortheice.com/homick-and-buelow-turn-a-new-page/
 
Not to derail the thread but yes, adding to what Sylvia posted above, he's been coaching all along -- in a podcast I posted in the previous Canadian ice dance thread, he says that having his son and work that he's passionate about are what get him through. More on topic, his choreography collaboration with Kaitlyn also came about as a consequence of the loss: https://www.twofortheice.com/homick-and-buelow-turn-a-new-page/
I have not been active on the forum and running across his name made me smile. .
 
Smart/Dieck

FD: Enigma


Immediate flashbacks for me to Bourne/Kraatz programs to Enigma and the music lends itself to the type of moves their last two Dune FDs produced. A solid choice for them and right in their most successful wheelhouse to date.
 
Smart/Dieck

FD: Enigma


Immediate flashbacks for me to Bourne/Kraatz programs to Enigma and the music lends itself to the type of moves their last two Dune FDs produced. A solid choice for them and right in their most successful wheelhouse to date.
took me to Rahkamo and Kokko's program from their pro era! I am intrigued
 
Trusova posted a new trailer for her SP announcement.

Lara Soundtrack by Arash Safaian and Alice Sara Ott. Choreo by B E N I O T .
 
Amanda Urban/Peter Beaumont (CAN)
RD: "Ramalama"
Choreographers: Alex Crenian, Ice Dance Elite coaching staff

It's going to be very funny if the speculation about Smart/Dieck from a while back was correct and we somehow manage to get two zombie Golden Waltzes (though not likely to face off in any of the same events this year).
 
Smart/Dieck

FD: Enigma


Immediate flashbacks for me to Bourne/Kraatz programs to Enigma and the music lends itself to the type of moves their last two Dune FDs produced. A solid choice for them and right in their most successful wheelhouse to date.
I was waiting for this announcement and this is a great choice for them. Has anyone used Enigma recently?

As Taso mentioned, loved Rahkammo and Kokko's Enigma program.

I have been seeing so many videos of skaters working through doing their choreography. Firstly they are very well filmed. But secondly we are seeing some really creative stuff coming out.
 
British juniors have updated their ISU bios:

Edward Solovyov (GBR)
SP: Ludwig, The Holy Blade by Nobuyoshi Suzuki [kept from last season]
FS: Romeo and Juliet (Josh Groban’s Un Giorno per Noi)
Choreographers: David Richardson, Olga Dabritskaya

Lloyd Thomson (GBR)
SP: Natural by Imagine Dragons
FS: Impossible Dream by Josh Groban
Choreographer: Mark Hanretty, according to Instagram

Arina Vorobeva (GBR)
SP: Villanelle by Jo Blankenburg [kept from last season]
FS: St. James Infirmary by Seven Nation Army
Choreographer: Mark Hanretty

Mia Craig (GBR)
SP: La La Land by Justin Hurwitz (Mia and Sebastian’s Theme, Epilogue, Someone in the Crowd)
FS: Romeo and Juliet (Tchaikovsky, Josh Groban’s Un Giorno per Noi)
Choreographers: Lewis Gibson, David Richardson

Annabel Mann and Jack Hammond (GBR)
RD: It’s A Man’s, Man’s, Man’s, Man’s World by Seal; Knock on Wood by Amii Stewart and Ken Freeman
FD: La La Land by Justin Hurwitz (A Lovely Night, City of Stars, Someone in the Crowd)
Choreographer: None listed but probably Lloyd Jones

Mimi Marler-Davies and Joseph Black (GBR)
RD: Piano Man by Billy Joel, Uptown Girl by Westlife
FD: Dance for Me Wallis by Abel Korzeniowski [same music they used for their guest spot at the Euros gala]
Choreographer: Karen Quinn and Alan Abretti (RD), Neil Brown (FD)

Ashlie Slatter and Louis Gregory (GBR)
RD: The Thrill is Gone by Raye, Where is My Husband by Raye, Sing Sing Sing by Louis Prima
FD: Memorial by Michael Nyman
Choreographers: Matthieu Geffre, Philippa Towler-Green


I’m definitely curious to see Slatter/Gregory’s programmes!
 

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