Videos from 2011
Biography
Katya is 28 years old and 5'6". She is an experienced all–round dancer and actress.
She names Ballroom, Latin, Swing, Mambo and Salsa as her specialities.
Strictly
This is Katya's third series of Strictly Come Dancing, and she describes her experience of the show "as being part of a family".
In 2009 she was paired with cricket legend Phil Tufnell and managed to stay in the competition until show nine, despite Phil requiring knee surgery in the middle of the series. Katya really enjoyed working with Phil "I had such an amazing time dancing with Tuffers!"
Last year Katya’s partner was rugby sensation Gavin Henson – the pair impressed the judges throughout the series and made it to the semi-final.
Background
Katya was born in Lithuania in 1983. At the age of six, her family moved to Israel and Katya started to dance, training in Jazz, Ballet and Modern Dance. At 13, Katya and her family moved to Vancouver, Canada.
Katya competed in and won numerous championships, including being the youngest–ever British Columbian Latin Dance Champion at the age of 16.
She co–choreographed, trained, and danced in the iconic Tango dance sequence from Take The Lead with Antonio Banderas, from which the signature image of the movie was taken.
After watching Katya in that Hollywood film, top Bollywood choreographer Shiamak Davar asked her to conduct Latin dance workshops across India.
She also performed in Shiamak Davar's stage production, I Believe, which drew more than 60,000 spectators, and had a guest appearance on Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa (India's version of Strictly Come Dancing)
Trivia
Katya's main escape is camping, hiking, or anything outdoors that lets her enjoy the beauty of her home in British Columbia.
In addition, she enjoys acting and has appeared in popular TV shows, such as Supernatural, Smallville and The Guard.
Dancing partner
Katya Virshilas will be dancing with Dan Lobb.
