About Elena Grinenko

Elena Grinenko is currently partnered with Tony Dovolani, together they are the national and world champions in the American Rhythm Category. Elena Grinenko was born in Moscow, Russia, where she began dancing at the age of seven. In her first year, Elena became champion of Moscow in her age category.

Aside from Ballroom Dancing, Elena has had training in ballet and Russian folk dancing. She has also participated in the Ballroom Formation Team of Russia.

In her Junior career, Elena became a Soviet Union Finalist in all divisions of ballroom dancing: standard, latin and 10-dance. In 1994, while competing in the youth category, Elena won the Moscow and National Championship titles in the Latin Division. That same year, she became a world semifinalist in the Latin category, her country's finalist in the standard division and her country's champion in the 10 Dance category.

After graduating from high school in 1995, Elena was accepted into a very prestigious "ART ACADEMY" of Russia to study many different forms of dance and art.

In 1998, Elena has received the O-1 Visa for extraordinary people and immigrated to the United States of America. At an unusually young age, Elena entered the Professional world of ballroom dancing. At that point, she knew her immigration to America would open other doors for her dancing.

Lena was in a BROADWAY SHOW called "LATIN FUSION" created by one of the world's latin champions. In 2004, they starred in the show's follow up "LATIN REVOLUTION."

In her dance career, Elena has achieved:

• Three-Time National Finalist - Professional International Latin
• World cup finalist
• Masters Gala finalist
• All England Champion
• Semi - Finalist in the most prestigious competitions in the world like Blackpool, UK and International Championships.
• Ohio Star Ball Champion in International Latin & Rhythm (Closed North American Championship)
• Yankee Classic Champion
• La Classique de Quebec Champion
• Manhattan Dance Sport Championship winner
• Embassy Ball Winner
• 2006 National Champion
• 2006 World Champion
• In 2005, Elena was ranked Seventh in the world in the Latin American International Professional Division.

Elena is a familiar face on television- she has been on the show American Ballroom Challenge in 2005 and 2006, which was broadcasted on PBS in February 2006 and 2007. Her more common claim to TV, is her role on ABC's hit "Dancing with the Stars" Season 3. She was partnered with anchor Tucker Carlson, and had guest appearances on the show.