Cooper is a Dancer and fitness model who has had several television appearances and songs by him including both seasons of So You Think You Can Dance. He was born February 26, 1978, and raised in Camden, New Jersey. A Dancer from a young age, Cooper specialized in hip-hop and b-boying styles, moving onto more rhythmic dances when he reached his early teens. He was a track star in the 1990s, and also known for exuberant gymnastic dancing moves, such as doing back-flips at pep rallies.
Donyelle Denise Jones is a Dancer, Choreographer, Director, Teacher, singer and Actress. She was born July 3, 1979, in Los Angeles, California, to Charles and Mary Jones. She is the youngest of three children of a military family. Ms. Jones chose her dance career at the age of six. Her love of dance and interpreting stories through movement was cultivated by her mentor, Broderick Wilson, until his death October 10, 1997. Following Mr. Wilson's death, Ms. Jones began her formal dance training under the direction of Lara Arnaiz at Extensions Performing Arts Academy in Lancaster, California, at the age of eighteen. She studied ballet, jazz, modern dance and hip-hop as well as acting and sing. Currently, Ms. Jones is Choreographer for the new spectacular Las Vegas Show at the Venetian starring Wayne Brady. She has been featured in musical theatre productions such as Hair, Nutcracker, and many more. Ms. Jones taught and directed the dance program at Palmdale High School for three years. Additionally, she taught at Orange County High School of the Arts. Ms. Jones teaches at Millennium Dance Complex, Debbie Allen Dance Academy, Debbie Reynolds Dance Studio, Gold's Gym in Hollywood, Extensions Performing Arts Academy and at various dance conventions in the United States as well as Canada. Additionally, Ms. Jones has been featured in music videos, movies and award shows. She has worked with Missy Elliott, Shanice Wilson, The Game, The Black Eyed Peas, and Master P. Ms. Jones has appeared in movies such as Be Cool and Beauty Shop. Emphasizing body movement, use of space, facial expressions and costume design through creative choreography continue to define Ms. Jones passion. She competed on America's Best Dance Crew (Season 4) with her crew, Artistry in Motion, and they were eliminated in the second week of competition.
Dmitry Chaplin is an international Latin Dancer, born in Rostov-on-Don, Russia, on July 14, 1982. He graduated from School No. 8 in Rostov-on-Don, Russia, Minnetonka High School in Minnetonka, Minnesota, and attended Brooklyn College for one semester. Outside of the TV show, Chaplin is currently partnered with Heidi Groskreutz and was a national finalist in the 2006 U.S. National Amateur Dancesport Championships in Provo, Utah.
Aleksandra Wojda, born on October 8, 1983, in Pretoria, South Africa, is a dance Teacher specialising in contemporary, lyrical and jazz. She began dancing at age 5 and taught at the Inspire School of Dance in Plainfield, IL. for two years. She was initially paired on the series with Jason Williams but after his elimination in week two, was partnered with Dmitry Chaplin. She was eliminated with Ben Susak in week three. Once she was eliminated her partner Dmitry was joked around as having a curse because he lost 2 partners in a row.
Benji Schwimmer was born on January 18, 1984, in Newport Beach, California. His father is "King of Swing" Buddy Schwimmer. He trained formally for 19 years, characterizing his style as 'West Coast Swing'. He taught dance for one semester at Crafton Hills College in Yucaipa.
Nino, born in Fort Worth, Texas, on January 11, 1985, is a Dancer trained in hip hop, locking, breakdancing, clogging, tap, Irish step and popping (the latter her specialty). Ashlee currently appears in the Cirque Du Soleil show Believe, starring Mindfreak's Criss Angel in Las Vegas at the Luxor resort and casino. (2008–2010)
Born on May 5, 1986, in Wilmington, North Carolina, Jason Williams is a lyrical, hip-hop, jazz and funk specialist who started dancing at the age of 4. He was a top 20 finalist but was eliminated in week 2 of the series, with Joy Spears. He currently lives in North Hollywood, CA. He is now currently working as a Choreographer at So You Think You Can Dance
Benjamin Susak, born November 2, 1987, in Phoenix, Arizona, is a specialist in contemporary dance, trained in ballet, tap, lyrical and hip-hop. He reached the top 20 contestants before being eliminated with Aleksandra Wodja in week three of the series. He also auditioned with Glee star Heather Morris, who was sadly voted out in the green mile.
After being shown a video of the winning performance from the 2005 series of So You Think You Can Dance, Schwimmer decided to audition for the 2006 season of the show, along with cousin (and childhood dance partner) Heidi Groskreutz and her former dance partner, Dmitry Chaplin.
Schwimmer reached the final four, neither he nor partner Donyelle Jones being voted into the bottom three rankings at any point during the series run. He was named overall winner on August 16, 2006 after receiving the majority of 16 million telephone votes from viewers. During the series, judges routinely commented that while not necessarily the best technical Dancer in styles other than his own, Schwimmer was outstanding in terms of performance and personality.
Dances Performed: Week 1-Mambo-"Nina"Joe Cuba Sextet-With Musa Cooper Week 2-Contemporary"—Closer"GoapeleW—ith Musa Cooper Week 3-Quickstep-"Zoot Suit Riot" Cherry Poppin' Daddies-With Musa Cooper Week 4-Disco-"Hot Stuff" Donna Summer-With Musa Cooper Week 5-Hip-Hop-"Promiscuous" Nelly Furtado (Ft. Justin Timbaland-With Musa Cooper (Musa Eliminated) Week 6-Jazz-"Wonderful" India.Arie-With Benji Schwimmer Week 6-Hip-hop-"She's Freaky" Pitbull-With Benji Schwimmer Week 7-Disco-"Turn the Beat Around" Vicky Sue Robinson-With Ryan Rankine (Ryan Eliminated) Week 7-Contemporary-"I Will Get You There" Boyz II Men-With Ryan Rankine (Ryan Eliminated) Week 8-Jive-"Route 66" John Mayer-With Ivan Koumaev-(Both Ivan and Natalie Eliminated) Week 8-Contemporary-"Every Time We Touch (Yanou's Candlelight Mix)" Cascada- With Ivan Koumaev-(Both Ivan and Natalie Eliminated)
