Dancing with the Stars: Corky Ballas
Corky Ballas was born Mark Alexander Ballas in Texas and is therefore, Mark Ballas, Sr. He is a retired ballroom dancer who with his former wife, the British-born Shirley (nee Rich) Ballas, was the 1996 Open to the World International Champions, the Open to the World British Champions and the British National Champions.
Beginning dancing at age six, he followed his mother, Maria Luisa Marulanda Ballas, into flamenco. His father, George Ballas Sr. owned a 64,000-square foot dance studio called Dance City USA which employed 125 teachers. His father sold the studio and went on to invent the Weed Eater. Ballas is of a Greek, Mexican and Spanish background.
Corky Ballas began International Latin dancing at 18 and competed in the Latin Pro/Am with his teacher Patrea Lockie. They were the Pro/Am champions for three years. Ballas went pro teaming up with Shirley who began as his teacher, became his partner and later his wife.
Ballas is based in Los Angeles and Houston. He currently judges professional competitions. Ballas has trained:
- Mark Ballas, his son.
- Tony Dovolani
- Derek Hough
- Julianne Hough
- Alec Mazo
- Jonathan Roberts
- Edyta Sliwinska
- Karina Smirnoff
- Anna Trebunskaya
AGE: 49
BIRTH DATE: 25 December 1960 (Capricorn)
FORMER PARTNER: Cloris Leachman (Season 7)
CURRENT PARTNER: Florence Henderson
Website: www.Corky.com
Posted on September 20, 2010, in Corky Ballas, Dancing with the Stars: Season 11, Florence Henderson, Professional Dancers and tagged Corky Ballas, Dancing with the Stars, Dancing with the Stars Season 11, Derek Hough, DWTS, DWTS cast, Florence Henderson, Mark Ballas, Reality TV. Bookmark the permalink. Leave a Comment.
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