Kairat & Julia

Kairat Algadaev was born in Kyrgyzstan and came to the United States in 2017.  Julia Seleznyov was born and raised in New York, New York.  Fate and Professional Vladimir Karpov made this couple into an exciting dance phenomenon that is taking the United States and the World by storm.  Here is how they make it happen!

AD: What is unique about the two of you on the dance floor? Do you have a style of your own…something that characterizes you?

Kairat-

Defining unique is hard because every dancer is unique.  We can say what probably stands out more and maybe looks better in certain ways. For Kairat, it is his flexibility and speed. For Julia, it’s her performance and ability to captivate the audience with her looks.

Julia-

What really makes us stand out is our partnership. We just try to have as much fun as we can when we’re dancing, and we hope that shows. We love connecting with the audience, and I think that makes it more fun for them to watch us, too.

AD: What do you enjoy in your dancing/practice/partnership?

Kairat-

We never fight, and we can always come to an agreement.  Also, the fact that the entire team works as one mechanism, which makes the training process enjoyable, rather than a torture or something you don’t look forward to.

Julia-

I think Kairat and I genuinely enjoy each other’s company. We really respect one another and have a good understanding of each other’s strengths and weaknesses. Kairat’s super technical and flexible, while I’m more performative and creative. Because we recognize those differences, we’re able to work together in a way that brings everything together. We always try to stay positive both on and off the floor, and I think that’s a big part of what makes our dancing, partnership, and friendship so strong.

AD: Where do you get your inspiration?

Kairat-

From our coach, Vladimir Karpov, and from other amazing dancers of past and the current ones. A lot of inspiration comes from music, a song can tell you a lot. Sometimes it comes from movies or shows.  There’s a whole plethora of things that can inspire one.

Julia-

I’d say most of my inspiration definitely comes from our coach, Vladimir Karpov. He wasn’t just a successful dancer—he’s also an amazing teacher and a brilliant choreographer. There are a lot of teachers out there, but not many true coaches. He doesn’t just guide us in dance, he supports us in life too, and honestly, that kind of support is all the inspiration we really need.

AD: What are your goals for the future? Where do you see yourself in five years? 25 years?

Kairat-

In five years, I hope to see myself as a multiple-time World Champion at least in one style, and maybe to get higher and higher in world ratings in Latin as well. I’d also like to own a studio or two, drive a fancy car, the usual stuff you know. In 25 years, I will probably still be dancing and taking care of my body, my mind, and the people that I care about. I’ll be a wiser, stronger, more successful version of myself.

Julia-

As a competitor, there’s definitely a lot I want to achieve, but my main goal is to keep dancing for as long as I physically can. I honestly can’t imagine my life without it. I want to keep growing as a dancer and, at the same time, find success in my career outside of dancing, too.

AD: What interests do you have outside of dance?

Kairat-

Gym, Muay Thai, Ping Pong, Billiards. Anything that challenges me. But my biggest love at the moment is Muay Thai.  [Editor’s Note:  Muay Thai, often called “Thai boxing,” is a stand-up striking martial art originating from Thailand, known for its powerful punches, kicks, elbows, and knees, as well as clinching techniques.]

Julia-

I actually have a full-time job outside of dancing, which takes up most of my time. When I do have free time, I love computer programming, makeup, fashion, drawing, and traveling.

AD: What is the secret to a good partnership?

Kairat-

Listening to your coach.

Julia-

Respecting each other and really listening to our coach are definitely key. Even if we don’t always agree on something, having that third perspective helps us work through it and find a solution.

AD: When did it start clicking for you?

Kairat-

When I first went to the German Open Championship, and saw the level of dancing and how crazy everything was around me. I saw that before, when I used to go to Russia, but I guess I was too young for it to click.  Now I realize that I need to be even more persistent and efficient in my training in order to achieve everything I want.

Julia-

Honestly, dance has always been there for me. I might not have taken it super seriously when I was younger, but I could never picture my life without it. No matter what’s going on, I’ve always known I’d be dancing.

AD: What is the funniest thing your coach has ever said that you still laugh about?

Our coach is honestly one of the funniest people we know. We probably laugh the most when we see him after a competition, and he tells us we danced well. We never fully believe him, but we know he’d never lie to us either, which makes it even funnier.

AD: What is your favorite WDSF competition…the one you wouldn’t miss?

Kairat-

Wuxi GrandSlam or German Open Championship. Shanghai or any final GrandSlam is amazing too, but you have to be top 12 to be there, so the goal is to be invited to one.

Julia-

German Open Championships is probably my favorite WDSF competition. The atmosphere is unlike anything I have ever experienced before.

AD: What is your favorite USA Dance competition?

Kairat-

Nationals

Julia-

Definitely Nationals. And soon the Excelsior Cup 😉

[ Editor’s Note:  Excelsior Cup is a USA Dance Challenge Event, which will be held September 12-13, 2025, in Newark, New Jersey.]

AD: A few quick questions for fun. (It’s ok if you disagree) Between the two of you…

AD: Who is more serious?

Kairat is definitely more serious in general but when it comes to business Julia takes thing way too seriously and will start freaking out if things don’t go to plan.

AD: Who gets more nervous?

Julia definitely gets way more nervous before competitions and, honestly, in most situations. Funny story: when we were dancing the World Championship Showdance in Bulgaria last year, everyone was avoiding her because she was so intense to be around. She was super nervous and totally overwhelmed. As soon as we finished the final, she burst into hysterical tears—it was a whole moment!

AD: Who laughs more?

Julia laughs a lot.  She’s usually the one trying to keep the mood light. She’s always smiling and bringing good energy to the room

AD: Who gets yelled at more by the coach?

Julia- I wouldn’t say Kairat gets yelled at exactly… but let’s just say he gets a little more “feedback” from our coach than I do.

AD: Who is always late?

Julia is usually the one who’s late.  She runs on her own ‘Julia time,’ as Kairat likes to say. She might show up 30 minutes early or 90 minutes late.  It truly depends on the day.

AD: Who is moodier?

Kairat’s mood truly depends on the day lol. He is probably the more sensitive one out of the two of us.

AD: Who warms up more?

We believe we both warm up a decent amount.  Still, probably not as much as we should, according to our coach!

AD: Who looks in the mirror more?

We both look in the mirror way too much.  Julia probably does it slightly more than Kairat, but like every dancer, we always look in the mirror.

AD: Additional fun facts… just in case:

Kairat is more flexible than Julia.

Julia graduated from College with a Computer Science Degree

AD:  What is next?

This year, as the reigning National Champions, they will compete at the World Games for Latin in Chengdu, the World ShowDance Latin Championships, and the World Latin Championship!   American Dancer and the rest of USA Dance wish them luck!