Anna Trebunskaya

Anna Trebunskaya recalls the Golden Age of Hollywood when Grace Kelly and Fred Astaire waltzed into movie-goers hearts and Gene Kelly and Cyd Charisse epitomized the grace and power of dance.

“They were the first dancing stars,” said Trebunskaya, who is among a new wave of popular dancers featured on the television show “Dancing With the Stars” and the stage production “Ballroom With a Twist 2.”

“It (the popularity of dance) is going through a bit of a revival,” said Trebunskaya while on break from the national tour of “Ballroom With a Twist 2.” “It’s great to see that it is back and so respected.”

“Ballroom With a Twist 2” comes to the University of Texas at Tyler’s Cowan Center for a performance at 7:30 p.m. on Thursday. Tickets cost $67, $57, $52 $47, $37 and $22 and can be purchased at the UT Tyler Cowan Center or online at cowancenter.org. Box office hours are 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday.

Trebunskaya is one of the headliners of the stage show that also features Cheryl Burke, Dmitry Chaplin, Tony Dovolani from “Dancing With the Stars;”Asuka Kondoh, Josue De La Vega and Randi Lynn Strong from the television dance competition “So You Think You Can Dance” and Haley Scarnato and Von Smith who were on “American Idol.”

During 10 seasons on “Dancing with the Stars,” which teams professionals with “stars” from entertainment and sports, she was the runner-up twice – in season 2 with retired wide receiver Jerry Rice and in season 10 with figure skater Evan Lysacek.

The Russian-born Trebunskaya, whose parents were professional ballroom dancers, was an international Latin dance champion before joining “Dancing with the Stars,”

“There is definitely a lot less pressure (dancing on ‘Ballroom With a Twist 2,’)” Trebunskaya said. “We train hard and want to perform well (on stage) but when you are on ‘Dancing With the Stars,’ you have less than a week to learn a routine.”

“Ballroom With a Twist 2” provides a venue for the professionals to show the full range of their talents, she said. Audiences will see everything from classical ballroom to contemporary and hip-hop styles all showcased with beautiful costumes and music.

She said that performing remains a “joy and a treat” for her.

“I am very blessed to be doing what I am doing,” she continued. “I enjoy being in front of people. It is work and my profession but it also my calling and my passion.”