Maks Chmerkovsky is an Ukrainian-American Latin Ballroom dance champion, choreographer, and instructor. He is a long-time professional dancer on Dancing with the Stars, having joined during season 2. Chmerkovsky has won numerous championships including the 2003 Ohio Star Ball Latin Championship, the 2004 Manhattan Dancesport Professional Latin Championship, and the 2005 Yankee Classic Professional Latin Championship. He founded the Rising Stars Dance Academy, a youth ballroom dance school.