Pop with Robert

Popping his way to India, dancer Robert Muraine of So You Think You Can Dance (Season 4) fame is all set to train enthusiasts in the city in his trademark hip-hop style. “This is my first trip to India and I’m excited to teach the art of popping to interested dancers at this workshop” says Robert.

Interestingly, Robert, who had qualified for the initial rounds of the popular dance reality-show, had quit just before the hip-hop auditions. The reason he cited was that he had never danced hip-hop before and could not learn it in flat 45 minutes. After four months, when the show went on air, his popularity soared with his impeccable first audition. The audition video was also the most viewed on YouTube. He was invited back on the show for a special performance where one of the judges termed him as the favourite dancer of that season. “You never know where dance or any other kind of art take you in life. There is nothing wrong with earning a living doing what you love to do,” says Robert.

Ask him if he has ever incorporated any of the Indian dance moves in his choreography and pat comes his reply, “Unfortunately, I have not but I would love to learn some Bollywood steps, besides I think the best place to learn would be Mumbai! I would love to integrate these moves with my popping technique. I think the mixture will be wonderful.”

Overwhelmed by the response that he has received for his workshop, he says, “It has been phenomenal and there are people not only from Mumbai but all the way from Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai, Pune, and Ahmedabad.” After his workshops this month, he plans to be back in the city very soon, “I will return in October and November to go on a nationwide tour and also conduct some more workshops with dance enthusiasts.”

The two-day workshop will be held on August 3 and 4. Registrations open only today, from 8-10 pm at Dance Inc. Melvin Louis Dance Company, Elixir Fitness, Oakland Park, Yamuna Nagar, Lokhandwala, Andheri (W). Call 96192 50007.