MONTREAL- Michel Finkelchtein had some hot ballroom dance moves but without a partner who could keep up, his Terpsichorean dreams were destined for obscurity.
But he flipped onto something useful on that handy little device called the Internet and found a place to find someone who had the moves to keep up.
Unfortunately the partner he had in mind was thousands of kilometers away in Russia.
Nonetheless Diana Brospurin was ready to come to Canada to advance her dancing and since she arrived a year ago, the young duo became Quebec champions and third ranked in Canada.
These two, all agree, have more chemistry than five rows of the periodical chart.
And Diana had a hunch they would before they ever met.
When I saw Michel on video I saw that he was unique and felt that he cold do good work together," said Diana.
Michel realized that there were logistical challenges to conquer before they could tango.
"Diana called and we started communicating to find a way to meet," he said. "I believe with the qualities she has and I have we compliment each other and that makes us strong."
He thinks together they could get to the top.
"When were dancing we feel each other very well," said Michel.
The dancing duo train at Studio 2720 in Anjou under coach Meryem Pearson.
"They know what I'm asking them is difficult but they know it's going to pay off," said Pearson.
Although Diana's transplantation from Russia to Montreal has required some cultural adjustment, Finkelchtein's parents have taken to her so much they now consider her like family.
"We see Diana like our daughter. Because I feel that and she feels that as well," said Leon Finkelchtein.
The Finkelchteins are originally from Russia and have been working hard to help her adjust.
"I respect her a lot for that to leave her home and go to another continent and country. She's definitely very brave to do that," said Michel.
That respect -- and the chemistry -- goes both ways according to Diana.
"He is a good friend and I like to dance with him."
