Dubai: Mangalorean Youngsters Sway their way into Boogie Woogie Finals

Daijiworld Media Network - Dubai

Dubai, Nov 18: Gavin Rodrigues and Avril Pinto have reached the finals of Boogie Woogie, Asia's most popular dance competetion of Sony Entertainment Television, to be held later this week in Dubai.

They have been chosen for the finals after passing through elimination rounds held in Dubai recently. 

Gavin is selected in the junior category - age group 6 to 13 years. Almost 400 contestants went through the auditions, out of which 57 talented dancers were chosen for the semi finals.

Averil has entered the finals in the senior category - age group 14 to 21 years. Around 200 contestants enrolled in this category.

In the exciting finals, tough competition awaits among 15 contestants in the junior category and 11 contestants in the senior category.

The grand finale scheduled to be on 21st Nov 2008 at the Indian Pavilion, Global Village, Dubai, is monitored by Telelife magazine.

Gavin Rodrigues

Son of Averyl and Melvyn Rodrigues,  Gavin is a 7th grade student of the Indian High School, Dubai.  He started his dance training from Golden Talent Music Centre and therafter performed in various programmes including the Indian Pavillion during Dubai Shopping Festival at an early age of 4 years.

Currently, he is trained by well known dance teacher & choreographer Vinod Sequeira of "Ocean Kids" fame. Due to his keen interest in music he is persuing 4th grade Piano exam from Trinity college London.

Gavin has won various prizes in singing, public speaking, drawing, music, sports & karate. At the age of 7 he was awarded the title " The Little Prince" by SMKC Dubai.

He has also acted in English plays titled "Oliver Twist" & "Wizwits" directed by Lushin Dubey and Bubble Sabharwal of Kidsworld theate group, Delhi.

Avril Pinto

Avril Pinto daughter of Cynthia & Rudolph Pinto of Kirem Parish, Mangalore is a  student of St Mary’s Catholic High School, Dubai.

Since the age of four, she has taken keen interest in singing and dancing and has rendered performances for various social & community functions.

At the age of 6, she began to take classical dance classes from Melody Makers Fine Arts Centre, Dubai. Presently, she is studying Electrical Keyboard for her 7th grade practical and 8th grade theory exam from Trinity College London. She has also passed 3rd grade vocal singing exams conducted by the same college.

Avril also excels in sports, athletics & arts. She has won gold medals in 200 meters race consecutively from  4th to 10th grade at St. Mary’s Catholic High School, Dubai.

She has won various prizes in singing, elocution & sports organized by well known Associations in Dubai including  Mangalore Konkans, Karnataka Sangha, Tulu Kuta  & KCO Abu Dhabi.

Currently Avril is a part of the ‘Ocean Kids’ dance group headed by Vinod Sequiera. She has performed in many professional shows in Dubai including the Islamic Fashion Festival, Lux performance award ceremony, Baisaki Nite with Milka Singh and Mona Singh and other Musical shows of Bollywood singers like Udit Narayan, Alka Yagnik & Shreya Goshal.

“Dancing is my passion”, she says.

Boogie Woogie, which debuted on the telly screen in 1996, was the creation of Javed Jaffery, Naved, Jaffery and Ravi Behl. They never believed it would be one of India’s successful dance shows. Boogie Woogie has been a launchpad to many successful dancers.

Sony Television’s Boogie Woogie, is currently celebrating 12 glorious years. The dance show, that continues to rock the small screen with its undying energy, enthusiasm and great dancing, has over the years entertained and enthralled viewers who are now addicted to this show. Over the years the Boogie Woogie show has become a platform to showcase talent across all backgrounds, age groups, genders and cities.