Greece at Eurovision Dance Contest 2008 ������������ ����������� 2008 (original) (raw)

Greek broadcaster ERT has revealed the names of the couple to take part in Eurovision Dance Contest 2008. The country has selected professional couple Jason Roditis and Tonia Kosovich to represent country at the competition.
Jason and his wife Tonia are famous professional Greek-Australian dancing couple, which has retired from competetive dancing in 2001.
Among the achievements of the latin specialized couple are: winning of Australian open championship 2000, being in top 12 of WDDSC World Championship 2000 and British Open in Blackpool 1998-2000, as well as winning Blackpool Rising Star.
You can see their recent performance here.

Jason and Tonia will perform mix of latin-american dances based on two adaptations of Misilrou song. First one is from album "Greek Bouzouki Nights" ("The Ultimate Collection of Classic Bouzouki Greek Songs") performed by Mario, while second, titled "Pump it" is by band "Black Eyed Peas".

Jason Roditis has followed his passion for music and movement since he first discovered the magic and joy of dance with his first steps as a child. Jason was born in Sydney, Australia. His Greek father and Dutch mother loved to play all the old records from the 40's and 50's. Tango's, cha cha's, bolero's, all classic old recordings! They would often dance at home holdinga 2-year-old Jason in their arms. His mother and father have never had taken dancing courses, yet it was from them that he learned some of his most important lessons as a dancer. They taught him how to really listen to music. They taught him not to fear expressing himself. They taught him to follow his dreams. But most importantly they taught him not to fear change, for only through change a person can really learn and grow.
In the age of 16 years he started dancing with his partner Tonia Kosovich. He left family and friends in Australia and traveled to London. He entered the list of world's 10 most competitive Latin dancers in '93 after having won a major international events in England, America, France, Germany, the Netherlands and Spain and also represented Greece in the international level. A tenth position in the global scene is something very difficult to achieve, even once, but Jason with Tonia, managed to keep his position in ten for nearly ten years. Currently he is now one of the leading teachers-choreographers in the world, and travels the world from week to week, giving seminars, consulting in many films and television productions in around the world.

After retiring from competitive dancing in 2001, Jason made one last return to the dance floor for one special show in Australia in 2004. Since then Jason has returned to his childhood passion. As all young boys growing up on the beach in Australia fall in love with the ocean and the waves, his ability to completely dedicate his life to Competitive windsurfing is his dream come true. He races in the Formula Category in Greece, and has travelled overseas to compete in International events. At his sailing club in Athens, Jason does most of his training with some of the members of the Greek Olympic windsurfing team. When not at regattas or training, he is teaching windsurfing at the windtherapy sailing school Vouliagmenis Bay in Athens, Greece. He is working hard towards being able to take part in the windsurfing Formula World Cup events.

Tonia Kosovich was born in Perth, Western Australia. Starting her dance career at the age of 8 with her older brother Nicholas, they won numerous National, South Pacific, Australasian, Australian & Asia Pacific titles in Juvenile, Junior & Amateur. In 1989 she formed what proved to be a formidable partnership with Jason Roditis.In a very short time Jason and Tonia became South Pacific Amateur Latin Champions, 10 Dance Champions and NSW State Champions in both Ballroom & Latin. In the age of 19, to fulfill and further their dance ambitions they moved to London, England in 1990 to study and train with the world's leading coaches (Walter Laird, Donni Burns MBE, Antony Van Last MBE). Her big international breakthrough came in 1994 by winning their first professional competition, the United Kingdom Rising Star Latin Championship. Continuing upon their success they appeared in prestigious finals such as World Ten Dance Championships, Japan, British, Dutch and French Championships. Proudly representing Greece at World and European Championships, World Cup events, appearing in finals and semi finals and winning numerous titles all around the world. Tonia and her partner Jason are the 6 times undefeated Professional Latin Champions of Greece and 2 time's undefeated Professional Latin American Champions of Australia. Retiring from the competitive dance circuit in 2001 they reunited for a special, final performance for Channel Seven�s Australian Dancesport Championships in Melbourne in 2004. In 2000 they founded the production company "Chicaboom", which organises dance events and charity gala. And last, but not least, her pet project is her costume design and manufacture business she has managed over the last 5 years. Design and supply of Latin costumes and ball gowns to dancers and companies in Japan, Australia and United States. Tonia is chairman of the IDTA (International Dance Teachers Association) of Greece and travels constantly around the world as a judge at competitions and choreographer.

1a203e87-73cd-4c22-9407-0067d137c4f8.jpg (13020 bytes)The couple also took part in "Burn The Floor" dance show with famous British dancers Matthew and Nicole Cutler and other top world dancers. Labelled as dance extravaganza and stage sensation show was staged in UK, Australia, US, Europe and was released in DVD. Extract of it is available here.

Recently, Jason and Tonia were teachers and judges at Greek version of "So you think you can dance". You can see video of Jason's performance with Greek ESC 2005 winner Elena Paparizou at the show here.

"Dance is like anything else in life, it starts with the passion, then comes the blood, sweat and tears", say Jason Roditis and Tonia Kosovich.

In Greece contest will be broadcasted live by NET channel and satellite ERT World. The results of Greek televote will be announced from Athens by Rika Vagianni, while NET commentators of the show will be radio journalist Maria Kozakou and Voula Santorineou, representative of the IDSF (International DanceSport Federation).

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21/08 "Our preparations go the best they can. We both have many obligations, for example Jason is currently preparing for the Greek Nationals which have been moved earlier (the weekend before EDC). We will have interviews with Greek press and photo shoot on Monday, 25th of August", informed ESCKaz Tonia Kosovich two weeks prior to the Eurovision.

"It was a lot of work for me to discover the form. I lost 15 kilos", said Jason, stating he is ready for competition.

Jason and Tonia will perform mix of rumba, cha-cha-cha and pasodoble, based on two adaptations of Misilrou song. First one is from album "Greek Bouzouki Nights" ("The Ultimate Collection of Classic Bouzouki Greek Songs") performed by Mario, while second, titled "Pump it" is by band "Black Eyed Peas". Postcard of the Greek couple was filmed by Akis Stamatiadis in the Church of Poseidon in Sounion.

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