Burke grew up in Atherton, California. Her family dances recreationally and has a dance floor at home. At age four, she began taking ballet lessons and performing locally. She then began ballroom dancing and decided to change her focus. She trained in both standard ballroom and Latin dances. She began competing at age 13. Cheryl has two sisters, Mandy and Nicole. Burke is a 2002 graduate of Menlo-Atherton Read more...

Burke contends that dancing provides a medium for her to express her inner feelings and passion all the while maintaining focus and composure during extremely high-pressure situations. Burke says that her dancing style is unlike anyone else's. She takes pride in being a "rule breaker" and feels that her greatest achievements in dancing are still to come. Read more...

Burke won her first championship with 98 Degrees member Drew Lachey in the second season. She won her second championship with retired football star Emmitt Smith in the third season. Burke returned to the ballroom on March 19, 2007 for Season 4, partnered with actor Ian Ziering. Cheryl and Ian were eliminated in the semi-finals on May 15, 2007.[2] She participated in a 38-city Dancing with the Read more...