Ivan Koumaev

Infobox actor


imagesize = 150px
name = Ivan Koumaev
birthdate = birth date and age|1987|10|16
location = Khabarovsk, Russia
birthname = Ivan Koumaev
height = 6ft
notable role = So You Think You Can Dance Season Two
academyawards =
spouse =

Ivan Koumaev (born October 16, 1987 in Khabarovsk, Siberia, Russia) moved to Mill Creek, Washington when he was seven years old. He started dancing at age 11, after watching the film "Breakin'".

Early career

In his younger years, Ivan was a part of "Cruz Control" in Seattle, Washington. He then moved to the Los Angeles area and graduated from Aliso Niguel High School, [imdb name|2339453] where he was a member of the selective dance-related club, "Dance Appreciation." In his last year of high school, Ivan taught at local dance studio- South Coast Freestyle. In Los Angeles, Ivan is active in "Breed Team Boogiezone." [http://boogiezone.com Boogiezone.com - YOUR online dance community connection! | Home ] ] He has also appeared with Hannah Montana in two Disney Channel music videos.

Competition

Koumaev joined the second season of the reality TV series "So You Think You Can Dance" in 2006, and made it to the top 20 dancers. In the first few weeks of the competition, he was partnered with Allison Holker. Initially, the judges praised Holker but criticized Koumaev. However, he remained a crowd favorite, and stayed with the competition. [http://www.usatoday.com/life/television/news/2006-07-02-reality-check-dance_x.htm 'So You Think You Can Dance' - USATODAY.com ] ] Koumaev and Holker would go on to perform a powerful Argentine Tango and a contemporary routine to "Why" by Annie Lennox, one of their most memorable routines in which Ivan's growth as a dancer became evident.

When the competition was down to the top 10, Koumaev and Holker were paired up with different partners and Koumaev's new partner was Martha Nichols, whom he performed hip-hop and smooth waltz with. The difference in physique of Nichols and Koumaev led judge Jean-Marc Genereaux to say, "It's tough for a woman to follow a man when his frame is not strong enough." Nichols was eliminated.

In the following episode Koumaev was again paired with Holker. They performed another Argentine tango and hip-hop, the voters showed disappointment in the performance, and Holker was kicked off. Koumaev went into the Top 6 of the competition and was paired with Natalie Fotopoulos. They performed the jive and contemporary. Both were relatively good, but not enough to keep them until the final 4. Both contestants were kicked off the show.

References

External links

*myspace|160421163|Ivan Koumaev
*imdb name|2339453|Ivan Koumaev