Magno Matias entered the world of dance at the age of 12 in 2001 studying Brazilian ballroom dancing (bolero, soltinho and samba de gafieira). His mother, observing her son's innate gift for this art, encouraged him and made an effort for Magno to pursue and reach his goal. In 2007 he began his studies at the Jimmy de Oliveira Dance Academy, one of the largest dance schools in Brazil and the world, where he taught for 10 years. He taught at Jaime Aroxa Barra da Tijuca Dance School for over a year. Magno attended Renata Peçanha's teacher course, one of the largest Zouk references in the world. Participated in several television programs and competitions: Semi-finalist of television programs(Se Ela dança Eu dança), twice champion of television programs (10 or 1000), champion of television programs Legendários (Canjica show), participations in soap operas at television programs Rede Globo , Champion of Brazilian Ballroom Dance in 2012.
Magno has passed through more than 20 Brazilian cities participated in shows, taught classes in various congresses, workshops and how: Encontro das Estrelas – Uberlândia(MG), CONAD (Congresso Nacional de Dança) in São José do Rio Preto, Nordeste in Dança, Fest Salão , Oficina do Samba, Congressos Estadual de Dança de Salão do Rio de Janeiro, Congresso de Dança a Dois de Pernambuco, Maratona Paulista de Dança, APDANS in Belém do Pará. He began his international career in 2017 and has traveled to many countries such as Australia, Germany, Switzerland, Russia, the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Spain. During his time at these venues, he taught at major events such as Zouk Moscou, Casa do Zouk, Doudoule Latin Dance Festival, Rio Dance Congress , Exaltafro Festival, Forrófieira Festival, Dance Couple 2019 Champion in the Professional Latin Couple Mix category, etc . Brisbane.
Magno is the creater and producer of the biggest event of ballroom dance of Baixada Fluminense - Rio de Janeiro. His event Baixada in Dança occurs annually and is already in the 6th edition. In 2018 he moved from Brazil to Australia and opened his Absolute Latina Dance school in Sunshine Coast along with Kayleigh McMullen and in 2019 opened his branch in
Kayleigh McMullen has been dancing since she was 3 years old, focusing on ballet, jazz, contemporary. She has completed classical exams of the Royal Academy of Dance receiving distinctions, as well as the theatrical and modern jazz exams through the C.S.T.D syllabus, and Renata Peçanha’s teacher training course. Amidst this, Kayleigh has completed a Cert 3 in Athlete Support Services and her Bachelor of Psychology. Kayleigh discovered the world of circus when she was 13 and performed aerial acrobatics and flying trapeze professionally in several Australian corporate and circus companies. She now has a successful studio on the Sunshine Coast in Australia called Absolute Aerials. It is at the beginning of its fifth year of operation, and Kayleigh has now created a teacher training and mentor program for up and coming coaches. With the addition of the Absolute Latina Dance classes, the studio brings great joy to the circus and Latin dance community. Kayleigh started Latin dance 2 years ago and met Magno, who is now her life partner as well as dance partner. Magno taught Kayleigh her first class and has been the main influence on her progress in dance. Kayleigh has taught at some major festivals in Brazil and well as teaching in Spain, Netherlands, United Kingdom, Switzerland, Germany, Russia. She has taught at the following congress’s: FORRÓFIEIRA FESTIVAL, BARCELONA, SPAIN 2019; COLOGNE SAMBA AND FORRO FESTIVAL, GERMANY 2019; ZOUK MOSCOW, RUSSIA 2019; CASA DO ZOUK, AUSTRALIA 2019; RIO DANCE CONGRESS RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL 2018-2019; OFICINA DO SAMBA RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL 2019; WORKSHOP SAMBA DE JANEIRO SALVADOR, BRAZIL 2019; WORKSHOP at LDA, SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA Competition: WINNING 1ST PLACE: Champion for the Professional mixed latin division at Australia Dance Cup, 2019 WINNING 2ND PLACE for her Zouk solo in the Mixed Latin Division at BRISBANE LATIN DANCE FESTIVAL 2017; JUDGE: Miss Lyra Australia 2019 JUDGE: La Folei 2019 Kayleigh finds dancing is opening many doors and complements her aerial circus training very well. It has given her more flexibility in movement, as well as inspired creativity and taught her a lot about connection, freedom and timing. Now she can’t imagine her life without dancing and loves to combine her extensive experience to her teaching and performance. Kayleigh teaches with Magno Matias on the Sunshine Coast and at their new studio (Absolute Latina Dance) in Brisbane on a regular basis.