Cheryl Burke

Cheryl Bautista Burke (born May 3, 1984) is a two time Emmy nominated professional dancer. As the professional dancer partner, she won the competition in the second and third seasons of ABC's American version of Dancing with the Stars with celebrity dance partners Drew Lachey (February 2006) and Emmitt Smith (November 2006).

Burke grew up in Atherton, California. She is of Filipino, Russian, and Irish descent.[1] Her family dances recreationally and have a dance floor at home. At 4 years of age she began taking ballet lessons and performing locally. She first began ballroom dancing and decided to change her focus. She trained in both standard ballroom and latin dances. She began competing at age 13.

Burke contends that dancing provides a medium for her to express her inner feelings and passion all the while maintaining focus and composure during extremely high-pressure situations.