Sequim composer’s music makes Winter Olympics debut

By Matthew Nash • February 9, 2022 1:30 am
Natacha Pisarenko/ The Associated Press Karen Chen, of the United States, competes in the women’s short program team figure skating competition at the 2022 Winter Olympics, Sunday, in Beijing.
Natacha Pisarenko/ The Associated Press Karen Chen, of the United States, competes in the women’s short program team figure skating competition at the 2022 Winter Olympics, Sunday, in Beijing.

Call her two-for-two when it comes to the Olympics.

Sequim composer/musician Jennifer Thomas’ music was played during a figure skating routine for U.S. competitor Karen Chen on Feb. 6 at the 2022 Beijing Winter Olympics.

It follows the postponed 2020 Tokyo Olympics last summer, where multiple gymnasts used Thomas’ music for routines, too.

“It is definitely exciting for me,” Thomas said.

“It is always such a great honor to have my music used on a worldwide platform such as the Olympics.”

Chen made her Olympic team event debut in the women’s team short program and placed fifth to Clint Mansell’s “Requiem for a Dream” that was arranged and performed by Thomas’ for her “Illumination” album. The women’s team won the silver medal for their efforts.

Thomas said she was watching the Olympics on TV when she heard Chen’s music selection.

“I thought, ‘Wait a minute, is that my music?’”

“And sure enough, it was,” Thomas said. “It was a total surprise because as far as I knew I wasn’t expecting to hear my music in the Olympics.”

In 2021, there was hope that Thomas’ music would make the leap to the Olympics from the World Figure Skating Championships where three skaters used her songs.

Rika Kihira of Japan qualified for the Olympics and previously skated to Thomas and Kimberly “The Rogue Pianist” StarKey’s song “The Fire Within.” However, Kihira had to withdraw from the Olympics because of an injury.

Cha Jun-hwan of South Korea is at the Olympics and he previously skated to the same song for two seasons but he’s not using it this season, Thomas said.

She said there’s a possibility others might use her music at the Olympics, but she’s unsure.

“Honestly at this point, nothing shocks me anymore,” Thomas said.

“With both the Summer and Winter Olympics I didn’t think my music would be used, and both times it has and it’s not over yet. We still have weeks left of competition so you never know.”

Chen skated again to Thomas’ song in the individual program again on Feb. 15. She finished eighth overall.

Impact

Thomas has seen a global increase in interest in her music, she said.

“Most always it’s whatever songs are being used in figure skating competitions throughout the world,” she said. “I’ve seen my streaming numbers also increase which is obviously a huge blessing for me as well.”

Thomas said she doesn’t know when her music is going to be used except last year when the Russian gymnastics team contacted her ahead of time to authorize use in the Summer Olympics.

“I usually find out along with everyone else,” Thomas said. “I do follow figure skating though, and I usually know who is using my music throughout the season.”

Chen’s was a surprise because she changed her music about a month ago for the U.S. Nationals, Thomas said.

Royalties are complex, she said, and money paid by networks goes to a blanket Public Performance License royalty, and is divided and paid in a small amount through her Performing Rights Organization. It can take up to a year to be paid, she said.

Thomas sees herself as being paid through exposure around the world.

“Honestly, my joy comes from seeing it used in this beautiful, artistic way,” she said.

Thomas finds being a part of the Olympics to be an honor and helping to check off some bucket list items.

“I think now the only thing that could top this is to one day be invited to perform at the Olympics? I’m putting that out to the universe right now,” she said.

What’s ahead?

Most recently, Thomas contributed her song “The Adventurer” to the Epic Women album “The Shero’s Journey” with more information at lnk.to/EpicWomen_TheSherosJourney.

Thomas’ music is on all major digital streaming platforms, available for purchase at Amazon, iTunes, and jenniferthomasmusic.com.

She’s working on a new album now while filming a docu-series about its process. Fans can support her music/filmmaking at patreon.com/jenniferthomas.

Karen Chen, of the United States, competes in the women’s short program team figure skating competition at the 2022 Winter Olympics, Sunday, Feb. 6, 2022, in Beijing. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

Karen Chen, of the United States, competes in the women’s short program team figure skating competition at the 2022 Winter Olympics, Sunday, Feb. 6, 2022, in Beijing. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

Karen Chen, of the United States, competes in the women's short program team figure skating competition at the 2022 Winter Olympics, Sunday, Feb. 6, 2022, in Beijing. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

Karen Chen, of the United States, competes in the women’s short program team figure skating competition at the 2022 Winter Olympics, Sunday, Feb. 6, 2022, in Beijing. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)

Jennifer Thomas (Photo by Ron Southworth)

Karen Chen, of the United States, competes in the women’s short program team figure skating competition at the 2022 Winter Olympics, Sunday, Feb. 6, 2022, in Beijing. (AP Photo/Natacha Pisarenko)