Bio
Ivan Koumaev is a Russian-born American dancer (specialising in Hip Hop) best known as a contestant on the second season of the reality dance competition So You Think You Can Dance, in 2006.
In the first few weeks of the competition, he was partnered with Allison Holker. Initially, the judges praised Holker but criticized Koumaev. However, he remained a crowd favourite, and stayed with the competition.
Koumaev and Holker would go on to perform a powerful Argentine Tango and a contemporary routine to "Why" by Annie Lennox, one of their most memorable routines in which Ivan's growth as a dancer became evident.
When the competition was down to the top 10, Koumaev and Holker were paired up with different partners and Koumaev's new partner was Martha Nichols, whom he performed hip-hop and smooth waltz with.
The difference in physique of Nichols and Koumaev led judge Jean-Marc Genereaux to say, "It's tough for a woman to follow a man when his frame is not strong enough." Nichols was eliminated.
In the following episode Koumaev was again paired with Holker. They performed another argentine tango and hip-hop, the voters showed disappointment in the performance, and Holker was kicked off.
Koumaev went into the Top 6 of the competition and was paired with Natalie Fotopoulos. They performed the jive and contemporary. This time both the judges and voters were disappointed, and both contestants were eliminated.