[4] During their career, Bourne and Kraatz were coached at various times by Tatiana Tarasova, Natalia Dubova, Uschi Keszler, Marina Klimova and Sergei Ponomarenko, and Nikolai Morozov.
According to figure skating writer and historian Ellyn Kestnbaum, their performance emphasized the athleticism of ice dance instead of the traditional ballroom style approach.
[6] For the 1996—1997 season, "in response to suggestions that they increase the complexity and danciness of their free skate",[5] they used music from the 1956 movie High Society, in which they used a mostly athletic and non-narrative approach with mostly quickstep and swing rhythms that emphasized the soft knees they were known for.
Kestnbaum also stated, "Only their costumes and the occasional reliance on traditional dance holds suggested any gendered identity for each partner".
[5] As a result, both partners were able to present themselves as athletes capable of executing positions and able to support each other's weight, while following the ice dance traditions of "male-female couplehood".
[citation needed] The program included a great amount of up-and-down hops in place on their toes and side-by-side footwork.
[6] In 2000, Bourne and Kraatz choreographed their own free dance program; it was first season vocal music was allowed in ice dance, so their music was set to vocal selections by Harry Connick, Jr.[8] They missed the 2000 Four Continents and 2000 World Championships due to Bourne's knee surgery.
On October 21, 2003, they announced the end of their partnership; while Bourne enjoyed show skating, Kraatz said he wanted "to experiment with other things and follow up on other dreams that I have".
[2] (with Bourne) by Desmond Child & Draco Rosa; performed by Ricky Martin by Clannad by Da Hool (from Grease soundtrack) by Igor Tuhmanov (with Bourne) GP: Part of Champions Series from 1995–96 season, renamed Grand Prix series in 1998–99