Maksim
Chmerkovskiy is a Latin Ballroom
dance champion, choreographer,
and instructor. He is best known
for appearing on four seasons of
the American version of the
television series Dancing With
The Stars.
Born on January 17, 1980 in
Odessa, Ukraine, Maksim began
dancing at the age of four. In
his native land he was one of
the leading junior couples in
ballroom dancing before his
family immigrated to the United
States in 1994.
Immigration was very hard on
Maksim and his family due to
financial and language barriers.
At the age of thirteen Maksim
broke his leg in a skiing
accident. Doctors said he would
probably always walk with a limp
due to the metal rod that was
surgically implanted in his leg.
However, he was able to make a
successful recovery and
continued to dance.
Over the years Maksim has
represented the United States at
many world class championships,
and currently is ranked seventh
in the world and second in the
U.S. in the Latin ballroom dance
category.
In addition to competing, Maksim
is the owner of two dance
studios, one of which, the
“Rising Stars Dance Academy” is
home to national and
international champions and is
known throughout the world. The
second studio is "Dance with Me"
Social Dance Studio and is just
over one year old.
In addition, Maksim is one of
the creators, and on the board
of directors of “Dance Team
USA”, and educational and
charitable organization
dedicated to recruiting,
supporting, and training future
DanceSport athletes.
“DanceSport” is the term used to
refer to Ballroom dancing in the
United States. It is a very
insular sport, mostly practiced
by the children of families from
Eastern Europe. DanceTeam USA
tries to raise youth awareness
and participation in the sport
nationwide.
Maksim gained wider fame and
recognition when he appeared on
the ABC series Dancing With The
Stars. He partnered with Tia
Carrere in season 2 where they
finished in 6th place, and Willa
Ford in season 3 and they came
in seventh place.
Maksim returned to Dancing with
the Stars on March 19, 2007 for
Season 4, this time partnered
with Laila Ali, boxer and
daughter of Muhammad Ali. They
made it to the finals and
finished in third place.
Maksim will compete on the
Season 5 of Dancing with the
Stars and will be partnered with
former Spice Girl, Melanie
Brown.
Maksim appears in the Dancing
With The Stars: Cardio Dance DVD
with Kym Johnson and Ashly
DelGrosso-Costa.
Learn the finer points of
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