The Competition

They've done it again! Andrei Gavriline and Elena Kryuchkova move on to next week's grand finale as the three-time undefeated Latin Champions. Will they have the momentum to take it all? Tune in for "America's Best" next week.

The Finalists

Andrei Gavriline and Elena Kryuchkova

© Jeffrey Dunn

International Latin Champions

Andrei Gavriline and Elena Kryuchkova
New Jersey

Having won the Latin Championship but losing the title of "America's Best" last year, Andrei Gavriline and Elena Kryuchkova are poised for action. Elena started as a figure skater and gymnast, but took up ballroom dancing when she was 9. Andrei was studying law in Moscow when he rediscovered his childhood passion for dance. He and Elena met in Moscow, fell in love and became dance partners. Since moving to the U.S. and marrying in 1999, they have been finalists in many international competitions in the Latin division.

Pavlo Barsuk and Anna Trebunskaya

© Jeffrey Dunn

Pavlo Barsuk and Anna Trebunskaya
California

Pavlo and Anna started dancing together in January 2007. Anna's parents were both professional ballroom dancers who owned a studio in her native Russia, and she took to dancing early. Pavlo has been dancing since he was 11, and has studied choreography and ballet. He spent three years teaching and competing in Germany before immigrating to the States. Anna came to the U.S. with her parents when she was 17. Her mother continues to make her costumes.

Ilya Ifraimov and Nadia Goulina

© Jeffrey Dunn

Ilya Ifraimov and Nadia Goulina
New Jersey

Ilya grew up in Russia, and then immigrated to Israel. Nadia represented Russia at the Lillehammer Olympics, placing in the top six. Both were invited to teach at a studio in New Jersey, where Nadia switched from Standard to the Latin division. They formed a partnership in 1999, and have been placing well in many competitions. Nadia designs their costumes.

Andre and Natalie Paramonov

© Jeffrey Dunn

Andre and Natalie Paramonov
Canada

Andre and Natalie Paramonov have been dancing together for more than 10 years. As Canadian National Professional Latin Champions, they have developed many innovative routines, and present an exotic look. They can manage a crowded floor with ease, and, in addition, they teach and choreograph for dance styles outside of the Latin division. They choreographed the first Russian productions (using ballroom dancing) of "My Fair Lady" and "West Side Story" for the National Russian Conservatory.

Vaidotas Skimelis and Jurga Pupelyte

© Jeffrey Dunn

Vaidotas Skimelis and Jurga Pupelyte
California

Jurga and Vaidotas, from Lithuania, have a strong love of dance, believing it gives people skills beyond the body, and cultivates a sense of self-confidence, patience and creativity. Sometimes working from their own life experiences, they strive to emphasize the narrative elements in their routines. They've been partners since 1999, presenting elegance and strong chemistry in the Latin division.

Delyan Terziev and Boriana Deltcheva

© Jeffrey Dunn

Delyan Terziev and Boriana Deltcheva
New York

Delyan and Boriana used to dance together in Bulgaria as amateurs. After gaining more experience independently, they partnered up again in New York, to compete professionally in the Latin division. Audiences love their showmanship and exotic look, which are especially prevalent in their Cha-cha.

Exhibition Dancers

Max Kozhevnikov and Yulia Zagoruychenko

© Jeffrey Dunn

Max Kozhevnikov and Yulia Zagoruychenko
New Jersey

After many years as strong contenders in the Latin division, Max and Yulia have decided to stop competing as a couple. They are dedicated teachers with a wide array of students including children, professionals and ice skaters. Their reputation for innovative creative routines precedes them.

Krystian Grabowski and Laurie Frederik Meer

© Jeffrey Dunn

Krystian Grabowski and Laurie Frederik Meer
Illinois

Immigrating from Poland, Krystian Grabowski and his wife (and dance partner) own two dance studios in the Chicago area in addition to competing in the Professional Latin division. He has been dancing with his student Laurie Frederik Meer for almost two years. She is a professor in the Theatre Department at the University of Maryland, and started ballroom dancing while studying for her Master's in Cape Town, South Africa. They have been placing high in the pro/am division.

Alan Gilin and Anastasia Trutneva

© Jeffrey Dunn

Alan Gilin and Anastasia Trutneva
Canada

Alan and Anastasia have been dancing together for more than four years. Together they have won several Canadian standard and 10-dance competitions.

Armen Petrosyan and Nicole Pyatetskya

© Jeffrey Dunn

Armen Petrosyan and Nicole Pyatetskya

Armen and Nicole are accomplished dancers. At ages 12 and 16, they have danced together for three years and now compete in the Youth category. They regularly place in the finals at national competitions. Armen and Nicole train in New York City, where they are inspired by the accomplishments of professional dancers.

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