The Indian beat

The couple is understandably excited about visiting India since the Bollywood Dance group number,which was introduced in the show last season,helped them score. “It’s our first time in India and we are looking forward to visiting the country where this genre comes from,” remarks Popowich. An immensely popular show in the US,So You Think You Can Dance launched the Canadian version in 2008,which became an instant hit across the globe with 22 million viewers in the very first season. Indian dance enthusiasts too,have been following closely both the US as well as the Canadian versions. Talking about the genre itself,Desjardins says that he finds the hand movements tricky “but the visual effect that the dancers create together is beautiful”.

While here,the duo will be conducting workshops in contemporary,salsa and hip-hop styles that they specialise in. Popowich,26,was already a ballet dancer by the age of three “when I could get myself to stand straight and run”. By 15,she had trained in jazz,tap and lyrical too. But her heart lay in learning Hip-Hop,which has been her strength since 18. The danseuse now runs her own dance company,Velocity,in Vancouver,Canada.

Desjardins was brought into dancing by his elder sister Audrey whom he often credits his success to. “She wanted me to train in Ballroom dance so that when I grow older,I could dance with her. We danced for a couple of years until she realised she didn’t want to make a living out of dancing,” says the 20-year-old,who has also trained in hip-hop style.

In Davar’s opinion,the duo excels in technique,grace and style but their strength lies in their passion for dance. “Though they are in Mumbai for 15 days and then in Delhi for another 15,such short workshops with talented international stars enable students to learn the basics of certain dance styles and improve on their technique,” he remarks.

In turn,the duo is hoping to familiarise themselves with the various genres of dance from India while here. “And in between classes,we hope to go sightseeing too,” smiles Desjardins.

In the competitive environment of the television show,Popowich and Desjardins,paired with each other for two rounds,also found love. The pretty blonde admits that she always found him cute. “He was the strongest male dancer on the show and a huge part of the reason why I won. I feel lucky to get to share amazing experiences as well as the same passion with the person I love,” she gushes,to which Desjardins adds,“I didn’t finish with the big title but without a doubt,I got the big prize.”