step up dance studio
level 1, 160 castlereagh street, sydney nsw 2000
telephone: +61 2 9283-8994
mobile: +61 414 328 994
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Marek Pionka
Ballroom & Latin - Head Instructor


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.

Robert Bednar
Ballroom & Latin Instructor & Latin Cardio

 


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.

Natalie Skeggs
Instructor

 


CURRENTLY OVERSEAS

Formally Trained in:
Classical Ballet (Royal Academy of Dance Syllabus)
Jazz
Latin/Ballroom
Contemporary

Natalie has over 14 years of training and experience in dance, beginning with classical ballet.
Trained at The McDonald College of Performing Arts (graduated in 2005)
Teaching for the past 2 years (Ballet, Jazz and Latin). Mango Dance Studios, Vibz Dance Studio.

Performance credits:

  • Jul - Sep 2007 Dance contract with Powershow productions to theme park Huis Ten Bosch in Nagasaki, Japan.
  • 2007 Performing with Latin Dance group La Bataola in various events around Sydney.
  • Performed in Tianjin, China for the Tianjin International Arts Festival
Nicola Atkins
Ballroom & Latin Instructor


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.

Claudio & Monica
Brazilian Dance Instructors




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.

Suzie Jeffery
Zouk Instructor




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.




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