# Alan Bersten
**Alan Bersten** (born 1994) is an American professional ballroom and Latin dancer and choreographer, best known as a pro dancer on ABC's *Dancing with the Stars*, which he joined as a troupe member in Season 20 and as a full-time professional in Season 25. He won the show's mirror ball trophy in Season 28 with his celebrity partner, *The Bachelorette* star [Hannah Brown](https://www.edgepedia.org/hannah-brown), in November 2019.[1](https://lumiere-a.akamaihd.net/v1/documents/dwts_bio_alan_e2e9342b.pdf)
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Born | 1994, Minnetonka, Minnesota[2](https://www.tvinsider.com/people/alan-bersten/) |
| DWTS debut | Troupe member, Season 20; full-time pro from Season 25 (2017)[1](https://lumiere-a.akamaihd.net/v1/documents/dwts_bio_alan_e2e9342b.pdf) |
| Mirrorball win | Season 28 (2019) with Hannah Brown[1](https://lumiere-a.akamaihd.net/v1/documents/dwts_bio_alan_e2e9342b.pdf) |
| Other DWTS title | Won the only season of *Dancing with the Stars: Juniors* as mentor to Sky Brown and junior pro JT Church[1](https://lumiere-a.akamaihd.net/v1/documents/dwts_bio_alan_e2e9342b.pdf) |
| Best recent finishes | Second place with Ilona Maher, Season 33 (November 2024); fifth place with Elaine Hendrix, Season 34[3](https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrities/alan-bersten/) • [4](https://observer.necc.mass.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/observer-issue.pdf?d=1770771460) |
| Before DWTS | Top 6 Male finalist, Season 10 of *So You Think You Can Dance* (2013); toured with Burn the Floor; recurring role on *Glee* Season 6[1](https://lumiere-a.akamaihd.net/v1/documents/dwts_bio_alan_e2e9342b.pdf) |
## Early life and training
Bersten was born and raised in Minnetonka, Minnesota, to parents who had immigrated from Belarus; he grew up with his older brother Gene and sister Melani.[5](https://lakeminnetonkamag.com/dancing-stars-pro-recalls-minnetonka-roots/) His Disney biography describes the family as Russian Jewish immigrants and credits his competitive record with Youth Championship and Under 21 National Titles.[1](https://lumiere-a.akamaihd.net/v1/documents/dwts_bio_alan_e2e9342b.pdf)
His parents, who had never danced themselves, wanted all three children to dance and went further than lessons: they opened a studio, the now-closed Magic Ballroom, and brought elite instructors to Minnesota on weekends to build a competitive ballroom environment.[5](https://lakeminnetonkamag.com/dancing-stars-pro-recalls-minnetonka-roots/) In a 2018 interview with *Mpls.St.Paul Magazine*, Bersten said he started dancing at age 7 because his parents made him, and that his older brother still managed and taught at the family studio, then located in Southdale Center.[6](https://mspmag.com/health-and-fitness/get-out-there-with-dancing-with-the-stars-alan-bersten/) The family's Edina studio, Dance With Us America, is described in local press as his home base.[5](https://lakeminnetonkamag.com/dancing-stars-pro-recalls-minnetonka-roots/)
## So You Think You Can Dance and early professional work
At 18, Bersten was a finalist on Season 10 of Fox's *So You Think You Can Dance*, finishing among the Top 6 Males.[1](https://lumiere-a.akamaihd.net/v1/documents/dwts_bio_alan_e2e9342b.pdf) He then joined the show's North American tour and the world tour of the ballroom show *Burn the Floor*, and later took a recurring role on Season 6 of *Glee* as a member of the show choir Vocal Adrenaline.[1](https://lumiere-a.akamaihd.net/v1/documents/dwts_bio_alan_e2e9342b.pdf)
## Dancing with the Stars
**Troupe and promotion to pro.** Bersten made his *Dancing with the Stars* debut as a troupe member in Season 20 and spent four seasons in the troupe before earning a full-time spot as one of the male professionals in Season 25, which premiered in September 2017.[1](https://lumiere-a.akamaihd.net/v1/documents/dwts_bio_alan_e2e9342b.pdf) • [7](https://creators.yahoo.com/lifestyle/story/who-is-alan-bersten-jenna-dewans-dedication-night-partner-has-rescued-five-dancing-with-the-stars-celebrities-064804306.html) His first celebrity partner was the singer [Debbie Gibson](https://www.edgepedia.org/debbie-gibson).[8](https://www.dance-forums.com/blog/alan-bersten-dancing-with-the-stars/) During his troupe years he had already filled in on camera, dancing a salsa with UFC fighter [Paige VanZant](https://www.edgepedia.org/paige-vanzant) in Season 22 after her partner [Mark Ballas](https://www.edgepedia.org/mark-ballas) was injured; a Yahoo account of his career notes he learned that salsa in a single day and the pair tied for first place in Week 2.[7](https://creators.yahoo.com/lifestyle/story/who-is-alan-bersten-jenna-dewans-dedication-night-partner-has-rescued-five-dancing-with-the-stars-celebrities-064804306.html)
**Season 28 and the mirror ball.** In November 2019, Bersten and Hannah Brown won Season 28, his first mirror ball trophy on the main series.[1](https://lumiere-a.akamaihd.net/v1/documents/dwts_bio_alan_e2e9342b.pdf) His other strong runs include reaching the semi-finals with figure skater [Mirai Nagasu](https://www.edgepedia.org/mirai-nagasu) in Season 26 and with actress [Skai Jackson](https://www.edgepedia.org/skai-jackson) in Season 29, and the finals with television host Amanda Kloots in Season 30 (fall 2021).[9](https://www.allamericanspeakers.com/speakers/440298/Alan-Bersten) • [1](https://lumiere-a.akamaihd.net/v1/documents/dwts_bio_alan_e2e9342b.pdf)
**Later seasons.** Bersten partnered with actress and singer [Jamie Lynn Spears](https://www.edgepedia.org/jamie-lynn-spears) in Season 32, a short run.[10](https://www.wondermind.com/article/alan-bersten/) In Season 33 (2024) he was paired with Olympic rugby player Ilona Maher; the two became fan favorites and finished second in the November 2024 finale.[3](https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrities/alan-bersten/) In Season 34 (2025) he danced with actress [Elaine Hendrix](https://www.edgepedia.org/elaine-hendrix); the pair reached the finals, placing fifth overall, and Hendrix's rib injury in late October 2025, which forced the couple to miss a live episode and rely on scores from their last full rehearsal, drew wide coverage.[4](https://observer.necc.mass.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/observer-issue.pdf?d=1770771460) • [11](https://www.cinemablend.com/television/dwts-elaine-hendrix-opens-up-about-staying-after-injury) Their Season 34 routines, including a contemporary to "Defying Gravity" and a [Space Mountain](https://www.edgepedia.org/space-mountain)-themed Disney Night number, appeared on the 2026 Primetime Emmy ballot for Outstanding Choreography for Variety or Reality Programming.[12](https://www.televisionacademy.com/files/assets/ballots/choreography-variety-reality-2026-v1.pdf)
**Season 35 and the Chmerkovskiy substitution.** For Season 35 (2026), Bersten was paired with celebrity chef [Giada De Laurentiis](https://www.edgepedia.org/giada-de-laurentiis); the couple was eliminated during Week 2, on Viral Hits Night.[13](https://abcnews.com/amp/GMA/Culture/alan-bersten-replaces-val-chmerkovskiy-dwts-week-6/story?id=137400973) On October 20, 2026, he returned to the ballroom on Dedication Night, stepping in for Val Chmerkovskiy, who was serving a one-week suspension from the show, and danced a Viennese waltz with Chmerkovskiy's partner, actress [Jenna Dewan](https://www.edgepedia.org/jenna-dewan).[13](https://abcnews.com/amp/GMA/Culture/alan-bersten-replaces-val-chmerkovskiy-dwts-week-6/story?id=137400973) • [14](https://www.cosmopolitan.com/entertainment/tv/a74191524/val-chmerkovskiy-reaction-alan-bersten-replacing-him-dwts/)
## Dancing with the Stars: Juniors
Bersten has called his work on the first-ever *Dancing with the Stars: Juniors* one of his proudest professional moments. As mentor and choreographer, he guided skateboarder and surfer [Sky Brown](https://www.edgepedia.org/sky-brown) and junior pro JT Church to the season win, and he describes a lasting friendship with Brown.[1](https://lumiere-a.akamaihd.net/v1/documents/dwts_bio_alan_e2e9342b.pdf)
## Tours, teaching, and other projects
Bersten has toured extensively with the *Dancing with the Stars* live tour; his Disney biography counted his seventh season on the road as of the March 2022 tour wrap, and his own LinkedIn summary lists 12 tours alongside 10-plus seasons on the show.[1](https://lumiere-a.akamaihd.net/v1/documents/dwts_bio_alan_e2e9342b.pdf) • [15](https://www.linkedin.com/in/alan-bersten-59036649) In 2018 he co-ran a Pro Dance Camp in Palm Springs with fellow pros [Gleb Savchenko](https://www.edgepedia.org/gleb-savchenko) and [Artem Chigvintsev](https://www.edgepedia.org/artem-chigvintsev), teaching Latin and ballroom styles to fans of all levels.[16](https://www.etonline.com/7-things-we-learned-from-dancing-with-dwts-pros-gleb-savchenko-artem-chigvintsev-alan-bersten-99561) He has also launched Berst10 Fitness, a program built around 10 minutes of daily physical activity that he links to mental health benefits.[10](https://www.wondermind.com/article/alan-bersten/)
In his personal life, Bersten is in a relationship with fellow *Dancing with the Stars* pro [Emma Slater](https://www.edgepedia.org/emma-slater); the two went public with their romance in 2025 and have spoken together about their partnership on and off the show.[3](https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrities/alan-bersten/) • [17](https://www.justjared.com/tags/alan-bersten/)
## References
1. [Alan Bersten biography, Disney+ / Dancing with the Stars](https://lumiere-a.akamaihd.net/v1/documents/dwts_bio_alan_e2e9342b.pdf)
2. [Alan Bersten, TV Insider](https://www.tvinsider.com/people/alan-bersten/)
3. [Alan Bersten news and bio, Us Weekly](https://www.usmagazine.com/celebrities/alan-bersten/)
4. [The Observer (NECC), April 2024 issue](https://observer.necc.mass.edu/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/observer-issue.pdf?d=1770771460)
5. [Dancing With the Stars Pro Recalls His Minnetonka Roots, Lake Minnetonka Magazine](https://lakeminnetonkamag.com/dancing-stars-pro-recalls-minnetonka-roots/)
6. [Get Out There: Q&A with Dancing with the Stars' Alan Bersten, Mpls.St.Paul Magazine](https://mspmag.com/health-and-fitness/get-out-there-with-dancing-with-the-stars-alan-bersten/)
7. [Who is Alan Bersten? Jenna Dewan's Dedication Night partner has rescued five 'Dancing with the Stars' celebrities, Yahoo](https://creators.yahoo.com/lifestyle/story/who-is-alan-bersten-jenna-dewans-dedication-night-partner-has-rescued-five-dancing-with-the-stars-celebrities-064804306.html)
8. [Alan Bersten: DWTS, Ilona Maher & His Ballroom Career, Dance Forums](https://www.dance-forums.com/blog/alan-bersten-dancing-with-the-stars/)
9. [Alan Bersten speaker biography, All American Speakers](https://www.allamericanspeakers.com/speakers/440298/Alan-Bersten)
10. [Alan Bersten on Gratitude and 'Dancing With the Stars' Nerves, Wondermind](https://www.wondermind.com/article/alan-bersten/)
11. ['We Both Just Started Sobbing': DWTS' Elaine Hendrix Opens Up About Staying On The Show After Her Rib Injury, CinemaBlend](https://www.cinemablend.com/television/dwts-elaine-hendrix-opens-up-about-staying-after-injury)
12. [2026 Primetime Emmy Awards Ballot, Outstanding Choreography for Variety or Reality Programming, Television Academy](https://www.televisionacademy.com/files/assets/ballots/choreography-variety-reality-2026-v1.pdf)
13. [Alan Bersten replaces Val Chmerkovskiy on 'DWTS' Week 6, ABC News](https://abcnews.com/amp/GMA/Culture/alan-bersten-replaces-val-chmerkovskiy-dwts-week-6/story?id=137400973)
14. [Here's How Val Chmerkovskiy Reacted to Alan Bersten Replacing Him on 'Dancing With the Stars', Cosmopolitan](https://www.cosmopolitan.com/entertainment/tv/a74191524/val-chmerkovskiy-reaction-alan-bersten-replacing-him-dwts/)
15. [Alan Bersten, LinkedIn](https://www.linkedin.com/in/alan-bersten-59036649)
16. [7 Things We Learned From Dancing With 'DWTS' Pros Gleb Savchenko, Artem Chigvintsev & Alan Bersten, Entertainment Tonight](https://www.etonline.com/7-things-we-learned-from-dancing-with-dwts-pros-gleb-savchenko-artem-chigvintsev-alan-bersten-99561)
17. [Alan Bersten tag page, Just Jared](https://www.justjared.com/tags/alan-bersten/)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Arts and culture › Screen and stage › Theater and dance › Dance and ballet › Dance forms beyond ballet › Vernacular, tap, and jazz stage dance*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Oct 25, 2026 · Edited: Oct 12, 2026; Oct 15, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Last review: Oct 25, 2026*
*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*
License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license