Green and Parsons' free dance this year is inspired by the modern dance of Martha Graham  and draws on Graham's specific technique for dance. The creative process began when Elena Novak, one of their head coaches, suggested music by composer Ezio Bosso.

"Elena said: 'Just try moving to this music, and see if you connect with it,'" Green recalled. "And we took to it quickly. Then it turned into experimentation--moving with each other, on our own, with the music, without. The program was born out of that."

"We took our time to really listen to the music and think, 'How do we want to move with this?'" Parsons added.

The couple had learned about the Martha Graham style of modern dance from their off-ice dance coach, Meredith Jones. Parsons describes the style as featuring "a lot of contraction, where we put a lot of emotion into almost sparse movements." The Martha Graham technique is characterized by its use of contraction (gathering energy in the body), followed by release (of energy). Another aspect is using purposeful hand movements to express emotion.

Prior to the pandemic, Green and Parsons attended a live performance by the Martha Graham Dance Company at the Kennedy Center.

The couple adapted the Martha Graham style for their free dance. "We tried to translate that whole style of movement into a program on the ice," said Parsons. "It's about having sustained movements--while moving, and making it look effortless."

"One thing that we drew from [Graham's] work is how, even through moments of stillness, there can be so much power and depth. Transferring that to the ice, while we still have to be powerful and have a lot of speed, has been a challenge. But it's one that we are fully capable of tackling," Green added.

Green and Parsons' goals for their free dance go beyond strictly competitive aspects.

After they debuted the dance at Lake Placid Ice Dance International, Parsons said: "We wanted to create a program that was a piece of art and something that no other team can do. Not only so we can progress as a team, but to progress the sport. It's a leap of faith."