Rauno and Kristiina Ilo have been dancing together for over 20 years. They started as teenagers in their home country, Estonia. They were Estonian Standard, Latin and 10-Dance champions 12 times and also 2-time undefeated all-Soviet Union 10-Dance champions. They represented their home country in European and World Championships, being semi-finalists in World Championships and finalists in World Cup Championships. After the breakdown of the Soviet Union in 1991, they moved to the U.S. where they quickly established themselves as one of the top international standard couples in the country.

    Rauno and Kristiina have won every rising star standard championship they entered, including both United States Closed and Open to the World rising star standard championships. They have been finalists in every major championship in the United States and Canada and were named the top U.S. Open Professional Standard couple of the year for three consecutive years. They placed third in all dances in their last competitive performance in the United States 2002 Professional Standard Championships. Since retiring from competitions, they continue to perform shows and exhibitions all over the country.

    Rauno and Kristiina are dual fellows of the Imperial Society of Teachers of Dancing (ISTD). They are World Class Adjudicators and championship certified in all styles of ballroom dancing. Besides running their own dance school in Indianapolis, they travel extensively to coach and judge around the country. Rauno also continues to compete with his pro-am students. Several of his students have won United States pro-am open championships in Standard, Smooth and Latin divisions. They have also won many other open championships around the country including the Ohio Star Ball. Rauno and Kristiina also coach some of the top U.S. standard and smooth couples. Their amateur students are dancing in the finals at both Ohio Star Ball and United States Championships.

    Currently they direct the dance program as dance directors of the Starlite Ballroom and Dance School in Indianapolis. Together with their staff, they teach every style of dancing from beginners to championship levels. Their students demonstrate their improvement at twice yearly showcases which knowledgeable teachers of dancing have described as the best student showcases they have ever seen.

 Rauno and Kristiina have two children -  daughter Kathleen was born in 1988 and son Markus was born in 2002.