About JT Dance Academy
Authentic dance. Real technique. International experience. Genuine community.
JT Dance Academy is a specialist Latin and Brazilian dance academy in Southport on the Gold Coast.
Founded and led by internationally experienced Brazilian professional dancer, teacher and choreographer Jorge “JT” Mariano, JT Dance Academy combines authentic Brazilian roots, international experience and a strong technical approach to dance training.
Our philosophy is simple: we don't just teach steps. We develop dancers.
From someone walking into their first class to an experienced dancer refining advanced technique, our goal is to help students understand their movement, connect with the music and become confident, versatile dancers.
Our story
JT Dance Academy was founded by Jorge and Estelle from a shared love of dance and a belief that a great dance studio should be about so much more than learning steps.
Together, they had a vision to create the kind of place they wanted to be part of — somewhere that brought together exceptional teaching, authentic culture and a genuine sense of community. A place where people could come to learn and improve, but also connect, make friendships, build confidence and simply enjoy being part of something.
At the heart of the Academy is JT's more than 20 years of international experience as a professional dancer, teacher and choreographer. His Brazilian roots and international career bring a depth of knowledge that goes beyond technique — connecting students with the music, culture and feeling behind the dances. His passion has always been to develop dancers, helping people understand movement, musicality and connection rather than simply memorising steps.
Estelle works largely behind the scenes, bringing the other side of their shared vision to life — helping shape the experience, community and direction of the Academy. Together, they continue to build JT Dance Academy around the things that matter most to them: quality, authenticity, connection, culture and people.
What started as a crazy idea has grown into a community they are incredibly proud of — welcoming people who have never danced before alongside experienced dancers who want to keep learning and challenging themselves.
Their vision continues to be simple: to create a place where people feel welcome, great dancing is taken seriously without taking the fun out of it, and everyone has the opportunity to learn, connect and belong.
Exceptional teaching. Authentic culture. Genuine community.
Jorge "JT" Mariano
Founder & Lead Instructor
From the streets of Rio to an international dance career.
Born and raised in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, Jorge "JT" Mariano is a highly acclaimed professional dancer, teacher and choreographer with more than 20 years of international experience.
But JT's relationship with dance began long before it became his career. Growing up on the streets of Rio, dance was more than a passion. It became a lifeline — giving him direction, keeping him away from trouble and ultimately creating opportunities to build a life and career far beyond where he started.
What began in Brazil would eventually take him around the world. Over more than two decades, JT has taught and performed across Brazil, Europe, Russia, Australia and internationally, appearing at leading dance congresses, sharing stages with global dance icons and mentoring dancers from complete beginners through to some of the world's top-level performers.
Musicality. Precision. Detail. JT is renowned for his musicality, precision and exceptional attention to detail. His teaching is technically rigorous, but his goal isn't simply to teach students more steps or combinations.
JT wants dancers to understand why movement works. How does the body create movement? What should your partner feel? How does connection change the movement? What is happening in the music? How can a principle learned in one dance strengthen another?
This approach develops dancers who don't simply remember patterns. They learn to understand their bodies, communicate through movement, interpret music and dance with confidence.
JT is also a passionate choreographer, known for creating powerful, emotionally rich routines that combine technical precision with musical interpretation and expression.
Beyond the stage, he believes deeply in the ability of dance to change lives. His own experience has shaped a strong commitment to using dance as a tool for confidence, discipline, connection and empowerment, particularly for vulnerable young people. That philosophy sits at the heart of JT Dance Academy.
Dedication. Passion. Consistency. Because great dancers aren't simply born. They are developed.
Tiago Mendes
International Dancer & Instructor
Salvador. Moscow. The world. Gold Coast.
Born in Salvador, Bahia, Brazil, Tiago Mendes is a professional dancer and international instructor with extensive experience in performance and teaching.
Tiago began dancing at a young age, developing through Hip Hop, street dance and Brazilian folkloric dance before moving into professional performance.
His career later took him from Brazil to Russia, where he established himself within Moscow's Latin dance community. From there, Tiago built an international teaching and performance career, travelling and sharing dance with communities around the world.
His experience spans Bachata Sensual, Urban Kiz, Reggaeton, Hip Hop and Brazilian and Latin movement, bringing together Brazilian energy, extensive professional experience and technical knowledge.
Now based on the Gold Coast, Tiago teaches alongside JT at JT Dance Academy.
Two Brazilian professional dancers. Two international careers. Decades of combined experience. One academy.
Brazilian roots
Authentic Brazilian influence and professional Brazilian instructors.
International experience
International careers spanning Brazil, Europe, Russia, Australia and beyond.
Real technique
Technique, connection, movement and musicality — not simply memorising choreography.
Genuine community
A place to learn, practise, dance, meet people and belong.
From your first step to your best dancing yet.
Start dancing