Sunset Park residents to compete in NBC hit show “World of Dance” starring Jennifer Lopez

Two Sunset Park dancers are on the rise.

Married couple Denys Drozdyuk and Antonina Skobina are once again throwing their hats into the dancing ring, this time as competitors on the hit show “World of Dance” on NBC.

Known as DNA, the duo performed in the first season of the show that features judges Jennifer Lopez, Ne-Yo, Derek Hough and host/mentor Jenna Dewan. Although they didn’t win, they’re psyched to give it another go.

“Before the first season, we found out by accident on social media that the show was casting,” Drozdyuk recalled. “We applied, sent our videos, went to the audition, and everything was great. We were on season one which was an incredible experience. We didn’t make it all the way through so we were eager to return if there was a chance to come back on season two. There was and we came back. It was even better coming back because we knew a lot of people there so it was a friendly environment.”

The ballroom dancers, who have won several competitions in the dancing circuit, have been together for 11 years.

“We met up through the ballroom world,” he said, “through one of our teachers. She paired us up to dance. From then on we continued to work together to perform and teach. That’s where it all started.”

The opportunity to try to win again, which includes a prize of $1 million, means a lot to Skobina.

“It was an unforgettable experience being on season one and two,” she said. “We were born in the Ukraine. To have the chance to stand a few feet away from Jennifer and perform for her is surreal, a dream come true. In season one, when we did our first dance and saw Jennifer Lopez for the first time, I was so star struck. You can’t believe it’s real.”

For the past nine years, the two have lived in Sunset Park.

“I really like Sunset Park because it’s a very diverse neighborhood,” Drozdyuk said. “It’s really nice because people are accepting of each other’s differences. It’s a nice melting pot and it feels good to represent the area.”

“I love the park,” Skobina added. “I think it’s beautiful. It has the most gorgeous view when you are there. It’s so diverse when you go there in summer and on weekends. It feels like the center of the universe and they do all kinds of dance and ballroom.”

Being on the show has been a game changer for the two who had already experienced success. Drozdyuk won a season of “So You Think You Can Dance” in Canada as a solo act.

“I think being on the show helped us to become more of a recognizable team and brand name,” he said. “Before, we were dancers and performers. Now everyone knows us for that particular style.”