Marek has been dancing since 1981 and has been teaching since 1987. His dance career started in Poland with his wife, where they were members of the highly successful Polish Latin Dance Formation Team. Their team held the Polish National Championship title consecutively between 1985-1989. They also represented Poland in the European and World Championships during those same years.    

He began his teaching career in Sydney at Arthur Murray Studios. In 1999, Marek won the Tournament of Champions held by Arthur Murray International Inc. and was awarded the title "best teacher in the world" and in the subsequent years placed second in 2000 and third in 2001.

Since 2002, Marek started his own dance school, the Academy of Social Dance. In 2006 Marek opened step up dance studio - the premier dance studio in Sydney.

Photo coming

Biography coming

Like many other Brazilians, Claudio & Monica have been dancing since a very early age and learned their first steps just by mimicking an experienced dancer's performance.

In1990 they decided to undertake formal training under the baton of the prestigious Jaime Aroxa in Rio de Janeiro and by 1996 they already mastered teaching the mainstream Brazilian Street Latin dances such as Samba de Gafieira, Bolero Carioca, Salsa (Colombian style) Soltinho, Forró and Lambada Zouk (Brazilian Lambada).

Passionate, determined, accessible and easy going are some of the common words students often use to define this couple. Their class environment is always friendly and they can easily convince you there's no such thing as a two left-feet person.

Claudio & Monica focus on the idea of dancing as a fun instrument of self development, using the Brazilian Latin dance styles to incorporate lots of freedom and self-expression although still holding the positive elements of a partner dance.

They have been teaching in Sydney since 2004.

Nicola has been dancing since the age of four, performing in many musical theatre shows and competitions all over the UK and was part of the Young Stars of Tomorrow (London).

At 16 she gained a scholarship to attend a full time theatre school and completed a musical theatre diploma which included all aspects of dance and drama as a performer and a teacher.

At 18 Nicola toured the UK as a dancer and choreographer for a 70's show for two years.

In 2000 Nicola arrived in sydney and started teaching latin and ballroom at Arthur Murray for four years as dance director, and appeared as a Tango dancer in the television commercial for 3 mobile in 2003.

Now she is returning to her love of dance to teach at step up dance studio.

About me:

"After 10 years of gymnastics in France, I turned towards dance at the age of 16. I discovered Acrobatic Rock'n'Roll, an athletic competitive style of dance very popular in Europe. I performed and competed in this discipline for five years on the French dance floors.

Becoming passionate about dancing, I have then diversified to other dance styles over the years including swing (boogie-woogie), Salsa, Bachata, Merengue, recently Zouk.

Now living in Sydney and working in the fitness industry, I am also teaching Zumba Fitness ® which features a great combination of fitness and dance; my two passions. It's fun, energetic, I just love it!"

Monika studied at the National Ballet School in her hometown Gdansk in Poland. Here she focused on modern jazz as well as traditional polish dances before discovering ballroom and falling in love with it.

Monika trained and competed for 8 years in competitions around Europe, mostly Germany, France and UK.
Monika moved to Dubai and started Stage and Salon Tango Argentino. She worked for 4 years with the very famous Colombian Dance Company El Firulete BNF. She then moved to Australia and joined Sydney social Tango scene where she actively took part in all events and workshops.

Monika is also qualified as a make up stylist with international experience working for brands like YSL, Chanel and Giorgio Armani. She specialises in stage looks, which has been a valuable skill over the last 10 years.

Growing up with Jazz, Tap and Classical, Suzie always knew dancing was her passion and that there was more to discover than these conventional styles. Continuing through her teenage years with competing modern dance ensemble and onto studying a 4 year degree in Dance at UNSW, equipped her with more knowledge of choreography skills, technique, music appreciation, teaching techniques and performance. Feeling the need to diversify her repertoire during her university degree and through meeting her husband Santiago, she was introduced to the Street Latin Styles of Salsa, Merengue & Son.

After working with Brazilian migrants in U.S.A was then given a real introduction into Brazilian styles of Samba and Zouk. Since then she has strengthened her Street Latin Styles through learning and performing with well known Sydney Latin Schools at corporate functions, weddings and festivals as well as travelling to Cuba and Brazil. Suzie also is a director of La Bataola offering corporate and function entertainment.

Robert has more than 12 years experience in Ballroom and Latin American dancing. He has performed and competed on many European dance floors and was ranked 8th in Ten Dance Competition in Hungary.

Robert's teaching career is in both Latin American and Ballroom styles. His experience encompasses 5 years of teaching in Hungary, England and Australia in both Social and International styles.

Robert has also created the unique and high-energy fitness program called Latin Cardio™. Latin Cardio™ combines dance movements and techniques to hot Latin music.

*Latin Cardio™ is a Trademark of Step Up Dance Studios and Academy of Social Dance Pty Ltd.