The Competition

Katusha Demidova continues to dominate the International Standard style. With her new partner, Arunas Bizokas, she took first place in all dances in the group dances as well as winning first place in the show dance competition. Will she keep her title as "America's Best?"

The Finalists

Arunas Bizokas and Katusha Demidova

© Jeffrey Dunn

International Standard Champions

Arunas Bizokas and Katusha Demidova
New Jersey

After winning the International Standard Championship as well as taking home the prize as "America's Best" last year, ballet trained Katusha Demidova has a new partner. She began dancing with Arunas Bizokas in October 2007, and they made their debut shortly thereafter winning the International Standard division.

Mikhail Avdeev and Anastasia Muravyeva

© Jeffrey Dunn

Mikhail Avdeev and Anastasia Muravyeva
California

After placing in the finals last year with a different partner, Anastasia Muravyeva teamed up with Mikhail Avdeev this past year. She started to dance at 3 years old, and began competing as young as 9. In her free time, she does embroidery and plays piano.

Urs Geisenhainer and Agnes Kazmierczak

© Jeffrey Dunn

Urs Geisenhainer and Agnes Kazmierczak
California

Urs and Agnes' partnership is three years old. She is originally from Poland and he comes from Germany. They were first scheduled to meet in Poland, but because it was a Sunday, had to convince a studio owner to let them use his facility while he went to church. Once they were locked in, Agnes realized she forgot her dance shoes in the car, and instead they talked for several hours, deciding to become partners. They didn't actually dance together until they arrived in Los Angeles.

Linas Koreiva and Ieva Pauksena

© Jeffrey Dunn

Linas Koreiva and Ieva Pauksena
New Jersey

The Lithuanian, Linas Koreiva, and the Latvian, Ieva Pauksena, have known each other since they were children. They took lessons from the same coaches, which gave them similar approaches to dancing. But it wasn't until April 2006, that they started dancing together. Their partnership quickly became a comfortable match both psychologically and physically. They make it a point never to argue during practices, and enjoy coming up with creative routines.

Igor Litvinov and Yulia Ivleva

© Jeffrey Dunn

Igor Litvinov and Yulia Ivleva
New Jersey

This couple has been together for over ten years, and both started dancing when they were children. They have competed in the Latin style as well Standard, and are noted for their height and power in gliding across dance floors. Both love to travel and try to bring inspiration from other art forms into their routines.

Blaz Pocajt and Inna Berlizyeva

© Jeffrey Dunn

Blaz Pocajt and Inna Berlizyeva
Arizona

Placing high as 10-dancers, Blaz and Inna went pro in 2004, just two years after entering the amateur ranks, and one year after moving to the U.S. from Slovenia. Both in their early 20s, and competing regularly, this pair has been gaining notoriety as an appealing and talented pair.

Exhibition Dancers

Igor Litvinov and Fuki Uekusa

© Jeffrey Dunn

Igor Litvinov and Fuki Uekusa
New Jersey

Fuki Uekusa's life changed when she saw the movie, "Shall We Dance?" She has been dancing for over seven years, and partnered with Igor Litvinov in 2005. She has placed high in several beauty pageants and gymnastics competitions. Igor is a finalist in the Professional Standard division this year, and provides a perfect frame for her.

Kiki Nyemchek and Nesya Serebro

© Jeffrey Dunn

Kiki Nyemchek and Nesya Serebro
New Jersey

Kiki and Nesya, aged 16 and 14, have been dancing together for almost three years, and have won many titles throughout the United States and Europe. Dance is a huge part of their lives, and in addition to practicing five days a week, they both travel extensively for competitions. Kiki has a long tradition of dance in his family, while Nesya's background is in ballet.

Anton Belyayev and Karolina Paliwoda

© Jeffrey Dunn

Anton Belyayev and Karolina Paliwoda
Canada

Both Anton and Karolina are 19 years old and have been dancing since they were children. They have been partners since 2003, traveling widely together to compete. Anton and Karolina are very dedicated to their art, and practice daily for up to four hours. They have a very structured weekly schedule, which consists of lessons, practices, technical classes, as well as fitness classes, which keep them in shape. This is their last performance as youth, as they enter the adult ranks.

Austin Joson and Elizabeth Lakovitsky

© Jeffrey Dunn

Austin Joson and Elizabeth Lakovitsky
New Jersey

Austin and Elizabeth have won many preteen championships since they began dancing together in February 2006. They are 10-dance competitors, and practice together for many hours a week to master all of their steps. Austin says that nothing had really grabbed his interest before dancing, but when he saw his teacher and her son perform at a dance, he knew he had found his identity. Now he and Elizabeth live for their dancing. Even their younger siblings have become partners!

Maxim Kozhevnikov and Yuk Chun

© Jeffrey Dunn

Maxim Kozhevnikov and Yuk Chun
New York

After trying everything from skiing to snowmobiling to yoga, Yuk Chun started dancing while still in her native Hong Kong. She quickly realized that she enjoys dancing the most because she can practice for hours without ever growing tired. Maxim Kozhevnikov has recently retired from professional Latin dancing, but remains very active as a teacher, coach and choreographer.

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