While Sérgio and Odair devoted themselves to studying with Monina, Mazo continued supporting them actively. Using his connections, he first gained visibility for the brothers’ work in Rio’s major newspapers and, little by little, opened the way for them to perform in renowned theaters around the country, such as Teatro La Paz in Belém and Teatro Amazonas in Manaus.
To broaden their visibility even further, Mazo—now also acting as their manager—managed to put them on the radar of the era’s popular TV programs. Already known as “Mini Geniuses”, they sparked curiosity wherever they went. They performed on notable shows such as “Um Instante, Maestro”, hosted by the charismatic Flávio Cavalcanti, and “Almoço com as Estrelas”, led by the iconic couple Aírton and Lolita Rodrigues. They were also invited to appear on Chacrinha’s celebrated program, but Monina Távora did not allow it, arguing that the show was too popular.
Around the same time, when Mazo learned that a delegation from Brazil’s Ministry of Education in Rio was seeking precocious talents, he got Sérgio and Odair included in the schedule, securing them the chance to perform for Minister Tarso Dutra. As a result, both received scholarships to attend Colégio Anglo-Americano.
Soon after, the school’s director invited them to perform for network supervisors visiting Brazil. The concert led to an invitation for the duo to join the Youth For Understanding cultural exchange project. And so, at thirteen and sixteen years old, they boarded—accompanied by Mazo—for the United States, where they would spend six months.
