Sergey Korshunov

Styles

Overview

Sergey Korshunov is a professional International Latin American dancer. He has traveled all over the world competing in the most prestigious competitions with his partner, Michelle Hafle. Together they are ranked three-time U.S. Professional Rising Star Latin Finalists and ranked three-time British Open Rising Star finalists.

In 2012 he appeared on Dancing with the Stars performing a special project with Cheryl Burke, and has worked extensively with Emmitt Smith, Mark Cuban, and Michael Irvin during their appearances on the show.

In 2007 Nike hired Sergey to choreograph and perform at one of their exclusive events with Carrie Ann Inaba.

In 2008 and 2009 he was invited to dance on Baile Deportivo, aired on Fox Latino Sport, and is frequently invited by WFAA's Good Morning Texas to be the official commentator for the Dancing with the Stars show and local dance related events. Sergey began dancing at the age of nine as an Amateur and eventually in 1998 he gained the title of St. Petersburg Standard Champion in his division and the following year he received an award as the top Latin couple. Résumé

Get To Know Sergey in 22 Questions

What inspired you to become a dancer?

The song (and the dance that came with it) Lambada by Kaoma. I was about 7 years old when it made to Russia and I could not stop watching the music video and dancing to it (and pretending I was the boy in the music video lol).

What is your favorite thing about teaching?

The rewarding feeling of watching someone learn to be good at something that’s outside of their comfort zone, gain confidence and reach their goals.

Do you have a mantra you live by or a favorite motto?

If it’s worth doing, it’s worth overdoing.

Who is the most inspiring person you know?

It’s not one, but two people: my parents. They took one the biggest risk in their lives buy moving halfway across the world so us kids could have a chance at better life.

If you could travel anywhere in the world, where would you go and why?

Pearl Harbor. Being in the presence of so much history is a very powerful feeling. Not to mention the gratitude for being able to have such a great country to live in.

What is your favorite thing to do on your day off?

Go for a drive, bike ride, or go skating.

What is on your grocery list?

Leafy greens, avocado, eggs, blueberries, strawberries, plain greek yogurt, honey, coconut flakes, tea, Dave's Killer Bread, bananas.

What is your favorite T.V. show to binge watch?

There are a couple of them, but my all-time favorite is Friends.

What are two things not many people know about you?

I fell out of a tree (about 15 feet down) that I was climbing when I was 8 years old, and I am an extremely shy person.

Where did you grow up?

St.-Petersburg, Russia.

What is your secret talent?

It’s probably more of a skill then a talent, but I am very good with directions.

What is your guilty pleasure?

Bread and butter, sometimes with a little salt on the top.

What is your weirdest habit?

I dont have any weird habits... according to me.

What celebrity embodies your inner rockstar?

I don’t want to limit myself in anyway, so I don’t have one. I guess you could say I try to be my own Rockstar.

What is your go-to sing-in-the-shower song?

Depending on the mood and what is playing on the radio, but I have been known to sing in Spanish.

What is your favorite food/restaurant?

I would have to go with steak.

What's on your bedside table?

A drink coaster, mouth guard, and my phone.

What did you want to be when you grew up?

I grew up watching a lot of 80s action movies and Commando was one of my favorites, so I wanted to be Arnold Schwarzenegger.

One word people use to describe you?

I cheated and conducted a two day social media survey, only because I have no idea how people describe me. So, one word came up more than others, and it is humble.

What never fails to get you out of a bad mood?

It’s a tie between hope (and I am not referring to a woman named Hope lol, I actually mean hope) and music.

What are the top three things on your bucket list?

1. Learn Spanish.
2. Learn to sing well so people would not want to cut off their ears listening to it.
3. Take a couple of weeks long road trip from London all the way up to the North of Scotland stopping by and spending a couple of days exploring small towns along the way.

What is the best advice you ever received?

No one owes you anything, you have to work hard to earn it!

Testimonials

“I had the pleasure of working with Michelle and Sergey for over a year on a regular basis. Beyond being a delight to be around, they were excellent instructors. One of the many things that I loved about them is that they communicated clearly what to do and then they pushed me to learn to do it! And beyond all the hard work, we had a blast together. Unlike many others, they were very passionate about helping me become a better dancer! I highly recommend them!”