OREM — It's no accident that Sasha Aktukhov and Cheyenne Murillo are part of "America's Ballroom Challenge," a three-hour PBS series featuring 25 professional couples competing in the Pro-Am Dancesport program at the Ohio Star Ball.
It's the result of hard work, dedication and a love for the art of dance.
"This is our fun," Aktukhov said in a telephone interview during a rehearsal break.
Aktukhov, 28, is from Ukraine. He moved to the United States in 2007 and has been dancing since he was 10.
Murillo, 20, has been studying ballet from the age of 5.
They've been working and training as a couple for the past three years. He's been her teacher and mentor, and she's been the student.
Their performance at the Pro-Am Dancesport competition in Columbus, Ohio, in November is included in the series' footage as an exhibition number.
It was Murillo's final performance as an amateur.
(Her amateur status kept the couple from competing as one of the 25.)
Both dancers train at the Center Stage dance studio in Orem.
The ballroom challenge series airs on KUED Fridays at 7 p.m., hosted by champion dancer Mary Murphy and choreographer Tony Meredith. The next air date is May 1. (The April 24 episode can be seen streaming on PBS.org.)
The dances include competition in all of the major styles of ballroom dancing: American smooth, American rhythm, international standard and international Latin.
Aktukhov said he and Murillo enjoy the Latin-style ballroom dancing the most.
"I'm a very competitive person," he said. "I keep trying to do better and better."
He and Murillo are currently busy preparing for the Blackpool Dance Festival in Blackpool, England, scheduled for May 21-29. They someday hope to win a world championship.
Aktukhov and Murillo practice on the dance floor seven to eight hours a day, perfecting their numbers and making adjustments.
"There's still a little bit left to do," Aktukhov said.
Sharon Haddock is a professional writer with more than 35 years' experience, 17 at the Deseret News. Her personal blog is at sharonhaddock.blogspot.com.
Email: haddoc@deseretnews.com