Alysa Liu has used several iconic songs for her short programs, most notably "Gypsy Dance" from Don Quixote during her 2022 Olympic season and "Promises" by Jhené Aiko for her 2024-2025 competitive comeback. Her selections have transitioned from energetic Broadway hits in her junior years to mature, contemporary R&B and classical masterpieces in her senior career.
Figure skating is as much an auditory experience as it is a visual one. For a skater like Alysa Liu—a two-time U.S. National Champion and Olympic bronze medalist in the team event—the music selection for the short program is a strategic pillar. The short program, which lasts approximately 2 minutes and 40 seconds, requires a balance of mandatory technical elements and artistic expression. The music must not only complement the skater's tempo but also provide the rhythmic cues necessary for high-stakes jumps like the Triple Axel.
As we look at the landscape of figure skating in 2026, Liu’s musical journey serves as a blueprint for how an athlete evolves from a technical prodigy into a sophisticated artist. Below is a comprehensive analysis of the songs that have defined her short programs.
The Early Years: "Don't Rain on My Parade" (2018–2019)
When Alysa Liu first burst onto the national scene, she was a technical whirlwind. At just 13 years old, she became the youngest lady ever to win the U.S. Championships. For this historic 2018–2019 season, her short program music was "Don't Rain on My Parade" by Jule Styne and Bob Merrill, performed by Barbra Streisand from the musical Funny Girl.
Artistic Context and Performance
The choice of "Don't Rain on My Parade" was a literal and figurative statement. The upbeat, defiant nature of the lyrics mirrored Liu's own ascent in the sport. Choreographed by Rohene Ward, the program was designed to showcase her youthful energy and rapid-fire footwork.
In this program, the music served a vital functional purpose. The driving brass section and the steady 4/4 beat provided a consistent metronome for her Triple Axel—a jump she was the first American woman to land in a short program. The theatricality of the song allowed Liu to engage the audience and the judges, compensating for the natural "junior" quality of her skating skills at the time with sheer charisma.
Transition to Sophistication: "Spanish Flame" and "La Strada" (2019–2021)
As Liu moved into her second year as a national champion and prepared for the international senior circuit, her music choices began to shift toward more traditional, rhythmic figure skating archetypes.
2019–2020: "Spanish Flame"
For the 2019–2020 season, she performed to "Spanish Flame" by Maxime Rodriguez. This was a significant departure from the Broadway style of the previous year. Flamenco-inspired music requires sharp, percussive movements and a high degree of core control to sell the "passion" required by the Program Components Score (PCS).
While "Spanish Flame" was technically demanding, it highlighted Liu's ability to handle complex rhythms. The staccato nature of the music emphasized her rotations in the air during her jump combinations, specifically the Triple Lutz-Triple Toe Loop.
2020–2021: "La Strada"
The following season, which was heavily impacted by global disruptions, saw Liu move toward a more cinematic and emotive style with "La Strada" by Nino Rota. This music, from the Fellini film of the same name, is a staple in the figure skating world. It requires a blend of whimsy and melancholy.
During this period, Liu was undergoing significant physical growth. "La Strada" was a strategic choice by her coaching team to help her navigate the transition from a "jumping bean" to a more grounded, powerful skater. The music's ebb and flow encouraged her to hold her edges longer and focus on the "Interpretation of the Music" component of her score.
The Olympic Season: "Gypsy Dance" from Don Quixote (2021–2022)
The 2021–2022 season was the most critical of Liu’s career, culminating in the Beijing Winter Olympics. For her short program, she chose "Gypsy Dance" from the ballet Don Quixote by Ludwig Minkus.
The Impact of "Gypsy Dance"
This music selection was a masterclass in Olympic programming. Don Quixote is a high-energy, classical ballet score that provides a clear narrative arc. Choreographed by the legendary Lori Nichol, the program was designed to be both "clean" and "explosive."
- Rhythmic Precision: The tambourine accents in the music were perfectly timed to Liu’s twizzles and spin transitions.
- Crowd Engagement: The crescendo of the "Gypsy Dance" built toward a high-intensity step sequence at the end of the program, a classic tactic to leave a lasting impression on the judges right before the final pose.
- Technical Integration: By 2022, Liu had refined her skating skills significantly. The classical nature of the Minkus score highlighted her improved carriage and arm extensions, which were necessary to compete against the high PCS scores of international rivals.
At the 2022 World Championships, Liu skated this program to a bronze medal finish, proving that the synergy between the music and her technical execution was at its peak.
The Comeback Era: "Promises" by Jhené Aiko (2024–2025)
After a two-year hiatus from competitive skating, Alysa Liu announced her return for the 2024–2025 season. This comeback required a complete re-branding of her on-ice persona. She moved away from the traditional classical and Broadway tropes of her youth, choosing "Promises" by Jhené Aiko.
Modern R&B on Ice
Choosing a contemporary R&B track like "Promises" was a bold move in a sport that often favors orchestral music. This song choice signaled Liu’s maturity and her desire to skate for herself rather than to fit a specific mold.
The lyrics of "Promises" focus on self-assurance and growth, which resonated deeply with the narrative of her comeback. From a technical standpoint, the smooth, flowing beat of the track required Liu to demonstrate superior knee bend and flow across the ice. It lacked the "crutches" of loud orchestral swells, meaning every movement had to be intentional and fluid. This program, also polished by Lori Nichol, became a fan favorite for its sincerity and modern aesthetic.
Comprehensive Comparison of Alysa Liu’s Short Program Music
The following table summarizes the evolution of Liu's short program music, detailing the composers and the primary technical focus of each era.
| Season | Music Selection | Composer/Artist | Primary Choreographer | Key Technical Focus |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2018–2019 | "Don't Rain on My Parade" | Barbra Streisand / Jule Styne | Rohene Ward | Speed and Triple Axel entry |
| 2019–2020 | "Spanish Flame" | Maxime Rodriguez | Lori Nichol | Percussive footwork and rhythm |
| 2020–2021 | "La Strada" | Nino Rota | Lori Nichol | Artistic expression and flow |
| 2021–2022 | "Gypsy Dance" (Don Quixote) | Ludwig Minkus | Lori Nichol | Balletic lines and Olympic polish |
| 2024–2025 | "Promises" | Jhené Aiko | Lori Nichol | Contemporary movement and maturity |
| 2025–2026 | Recent Selections | Various / Contemporary | Lori Nichol | Composition and Performance |
Technical Requirements of a Short Program Song
Choosing a song for the short program is not merely about personal preference; it must satisfy the rigorous requirements of the International Skating Union (ISU). The music must support the seven required elements:
- The Double or Triple Axel: The music usually builds tension leading into the take-off.
- A Triple Jump: Usually performed from footwork.
- A Jump Combination: Often a Triple-Triple, requiring a sustained musical energy.
- The Flying Spin: The rhythm must accommodate the change in speed during the fly.
- The Layback or Camel Spin: Often set to a more melodic or sustained part of the track.
- The Step Sequence: The music must reach a "Level 4" intensity, allowing the skater to display variety in turns and steps.
- The Change-Foot Combination Spin: The finale of the music often coincides with the final rotations of this spin.
Alysa Liu’s ability to find music that accommodates these disparate elements while maintaining a cohesive "theme" is one of her greatest strengths as a competitor.
The Role of Choreography in Music Selection
While the song is the foundation, the choreography is what translates the music for the judges. Alysa Liu’s long-standing partnership with Lori Nichol has been instrumental in her success. Nichol is known for her "musicality"—the ability to make a skater look like they are the physical embodiment of the notes.
In programs like "Gypsy Dance," Nichol utilized every beat of the Minkus score. If there was a flute trill, Liu had a specific hand movement. If there was a heavy drum beat, it coincided with a power pull on her edge. This level of detail is what separates a world-class program from a standard one. In her comeback with "Promises," the choreography became more "internalized," focusing on the space between the notes, which is a hallmark of a mature skater.
Frequently Asked Questions
What song did Alysa Liu skate to at the 2022 Olympics?
For her short program at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics, Alysa Liu skated to "Gypsy Dance" from the ballet Don Quixote by Ludwig Minkus. This selection helped her secure a strong position heading into the free skate, eventually contributing to her overall success at the games.
Who choreographs Alysa Liu's short programs?
While she has worked with several choreographers, her most notable and frequent collaborator is Lori Nichol. Nichol is responsible for the choreography of "Gypsy Dance," "La Strada," and her comeback program "Promises." Earlier in her career, she also worked with Rohene Ward for her breakout "Don't Rain on My Parade" program.
Why did Alysa Liu change her music style for her 2024 comeback?
The shift to "Promises" by Jhené Aiko represented a personal evolution. After retiring and then returning to the sport, Liu wanted music that felt authentic to her personal tastes and current stage of life. The move toward contemporary R&B allowed her to showcase a more relaxed, yet technically precise, style of skating that differed from the rigid expectations of her younger years.
Has Alysa Liu ever used the same short program song for two seasons?
Typically, elite skaters like Liu change their short program music every season to keep their presentation fresh for the judges. However, due to the shortened 2020–2021 season and the lack of international competitions, many elements of her training and musical choices during that "transition year" were refined and carried over in spirit to her Olympic preparations.
How does Alysa Liu’s music affect her jump timing?
Alysa Liu often uses the musical "phrase" to time her jumps. In faster programs like "Don't Rain on My Parade," she uses the upbeat to generate speed. In slower, more contemporary tracks like "Promises," she uses the bass line to find the depth in her edges before launching into a jump, which can help with the stability and height of the triple jumps.
Recommendation for Fans and Aspiring Skaters
If you are looking to understand the technical nuances of Alysa Liu’s skating, I recommend watching her 2022 World Championship short program followed by her 2025 National Championship short program back-to-back. The contrast between the classical vigor of "Gypsy Dance" and the soulful fluidity of "Promises" provides the best possible education on how music selection can transform an athlete's entire competitive identity. For aspiring skaters, Liu’s career teaches that you should not be afraid to experiment with different genres as you grow; the "perfect" song is the one that allows you to express your current technical level and emotional maturity simultaneously.
