People and Places
“At our first company dinner, we
had 10 people. Now, it is more than
100,” says Val of the growing Dance
With Me family.
Although they delight in all the
locations, the Fort Lee studio has one
undeniable bonus: the proximity it
affords to their parents, Sasha and Larisa,
who live in Edgewater. The siblings credit
them with keeping the pair close.
“Our parents made it clear from an
early age how disappointed and hurt it
made them to see us argue. We have a
respect for each other that goes beyond
anything that might happen” says Val.
Maks agrees, “We have an unreasonable amount of brotherly love and the
utmost respect for each other. Sometimes
we act more like twins.”
Their connection is evident whenever
they’re together. Most recently, they were
in Miami, introducing what they call
their “passion project” – “SWAY: A Dance
Trilogy” – to Art Basel audiences. A live
dance spectacular that they created with
fellow DWTS alum and Dance With Me
partner Tony Dovolani two years ago,
SWAY captures the brothers’ pure love
of dance.
“The shows were so rewarding
and incredible. It is such an inspiring,
creative and emotionally overwhelming
production,” Val says. “We had fans
from Jamaica, Japan, Canada and all
over Europe and South America flying
into Miami to see the show. It was
incredible. You prep for months and
then it’s five shows and it’s over.”
Val delights in the authenticity of such
live performances. “It’s not perfect but
it’s so honest and so genuine,” he says.
“It’s very organic and spontaneous.
Even it you’re not a fan, you walk away
feeling so good.”
While on stage in Miami, Maks
proposed to his DWTS costar Peta
Murgatroyd, an event that delighted fans
and landed the pair on the cover of
People magazine. When asked if he’s
PASSION PROJECT Maks and Val
Chmerkovskiy created “SWAY: A Dance
Trilogy” with DWTS alum and Dance
With Me partner Tony Dovolani. The
show recently stopped in Miami, where
Maks proposed to his SWAY and DWTS
costar Peta Murgatroyd (bottom right).
36
MARCH 2016 (201) GOLD COAST
COURTESY OF STEFANIA ORRU
ON TOUR
vskiy announced
Maks and Val Chmerko r, “Our Way,”
their new summer toubeginning June
which will hit 45 cities,ing on Aug. 14
15 in Florida and end combines “an
in California. The show rative of their
nar
honest and unfiltered class dancing,
life story, with the worldthey are known
creativity and passion rmation,
info
re
mo
For
”
for.
om.
visit maksandvaltour.c