UT Tyler Office of Marketing and Communications

UT Tyler Presents Ballroom with a Twist 2

January 9, 2015

Media Contact:  Hannah Buchanan
Editor/Writer–Strategic Communications & Media Relations
Marketing and Communications
The University of Texas at Tyler
903.539.7196 (cell)

January 9, 2014

Media Contact: Beverley Golden
Executive Director
Marketing and Communications
The University of Texas at Tyler
903.566.7303 or 903.330.0495 (cell)

“Dancing with the Stars” professional dancers, Cheryl Burke and Tony Dovolani, will be two of the featured performers in Ballroom with a Twist 2 at The University of Texas at Tyler R. Don Cowan Fine and Performing Arts Center, Susan Thomae-Morphew, Cowan Center executive director, announced.

Sponsored by Mary and Bob Irwin, the production will take the stage at 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Jan. 15.

Tickets are $67, $57, $52 $47, $37 and $22 and can be purchased at the UT Tyler Cowan Center box office by calling 903.566.7424 or online at www.cowancenter.org. Box office hours are 9 a.m. – 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

“This will be an amazing show featuring some of the top dancers from ‘Dancing with the Stars’ and ‘So You Think You Can Dance,’ as well as performances by two ‘American Idol’ finalists,” Thomae-Morphew said. “It will be an evening for the entire family showcasing ballroom dance that is infused with energy and intensity of the latest contemporary and hip-hop styles.”

Burke and Dovolani will be joined by “Dancing with the Stars” professionals Anna Trebunskaya and Dmitry Chaplin.

Finalists from “So You Think You Can Dance” include Asuka Kondoh, Josue De La Vega and Randi Lynn Strong. San Antonio native Haley Scarnato and Von Smith are “American Idol” finalists.

Emmy-nominated Burke has 20 years of dancing experience and has won the mirror ball trophy twice with Emmitt Smith in season 3 and Drew Lachey in season 2. She recently became the first “Dancing with the Stars” professional dancer to appear in the finals seven times and the semi-finals 10 times.

Dovolani is a fan favorite, and his partners have included Stacy Keibler, Jane Seymour, Susan Lucci, Melissa Rycroft, Wyonna Judd and Leah Remini. He has been a guest host on segments of “EXTRA,” “Good Morning America” and the Golf Channels “Golf Drive.”

One of the 15 campuses of the UT System, UT Tyler features excellence in teaching, research, artistic performance and community service. More than 80 undergraduate and graduate degrees are available at UT Tyler, which has an enrollment of more than 8,000 high-ability students. UT Tyler offers courses at its campuses in Tyler, Longview and Palestine as well as a location in Houston.