Founding Director

When Tarcisio Teatini-Climaco founded Rio Rhythmics Latin Dance Academy in 1994, he was drawing on over 20 years of experience as a dance teacher, performer, choreographer and percussionist. A dance graduate of the University of Physical Education in Goiania, Brazil, Tarcisio has also independently completed hundreds of hours of study in many styles of dance, including ballet, jazz, tap, contemporary and modern dance, as well as Latin dance. He is also a Master of Capoeira.

After pursuing an extensive career performing and teaching dance in Brazil, which included directorship of a number of dance programs and schools, Tarcisio immigrated to Australia in 1989, where he continued performing, and also taught Capoeira. Motivated to transfer his knowledge and ability into a system of learning which would allow others to enjoy Latin dance, Tarcisio designed and developed the dance program at Rio Rhythmics. 

Growing up in Brazil, Tarcisio was an enthusiastic social dancer of many Brazilian styles. Through his teaching, Tarcisio shares his passion, not just for dance, but also for the music and cultural heritage of South America, particularly Brazil. Yearly travels back to South America, where he involves himself in intensive local dance training, ensure that Tarcisio keeps abreast of the latest developments in dance and increase his expertise in authentic Latin dance. In this way, he can continue to introduce new styles and moves to his instructors and students, keeping the choreography and classes fresh and exciting. 

Tarcisio is an active and influential member of Australia's dance community and has held various positions including Latin item director on the Brisbane 2001 Goodwill Games' creative team, and membership of the Australian Dance Council's Interim Competency Standards Project Reference Group. He represented Queensland on the Australia Council of the Arts' Dance Funds committee, and advised on dance as a member of the Australia Council's Multicultural Advisory Committee. He was guest choreographer for Queensland University of Technology's Dance Collections '99, "The Brazilian Suite".