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Your first BJJ class is free. Beginners welcome. No experience needed.3350 West Salt Creek Ln #117, Arlington Heights, IL 60005 · (866) 977-7021 ext. 1
Andre Terencio BJJ Portrait Arlington Heights

Professor Andre “Negão” Terencio · BJJ Instructor in Arlington Heights

Andre “Negão” Terencio

Black Belt · 6th Degree · Co-Founder

Co-founder of the Brazil 021 School of Jiu-Jitsu, 6th-degree black belt and one of the most respected referees in the sport, now teaching at Brazil 021 Arlington Heights.

15 yrsIBJJF head referee
5 yrsFJJRio referee
Gold2018 IBJJF Boston Open, black belt
PRIDEBJJ head referee & Chicago organizer

About Professor Andre

André Fernando Alves Terencio is a tournament director and co-founder of Brazil 021 School of Jiu-Jitsu and of the Brazil 021 Project, a non-profit organization. He also co-owns Brazil 021 Chicago. In April 2026 he was promoted to 6th-degree black belt. Brazil 021 offers Arlington Heights BJJ classes for kids and adults, coached by world champion black belts.

André has an extensive career as a referee: five years at FJJRio, the first Brazilian jiu-jitsu federation, and 15 years as head referee for the International Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Federation (IBJJF).

Brazil 021 co-founders Andre Terencio and Hannette Staack under the Brazil-021 logo
Professor Andre Terencio teaching jiu-jitsu at Brazil 021

Today he is head referee at Gracie Barra COMPNET Illinois and at PRIDE BJJ, where he has also organized the Chicago events since 2019.

On the mats, parents single him out in their reviews for how warmly he welcomes kids and how well he knows how to teach them.

Andre and Hannette also guided the Ground Control seminar for law enforcement officers at Brazil 021 Arlington Heights.

Career timeline

A life on the mats.

  1. 1997Bronze, Brazilian National Championship, purple belt
  2. 1998Silver, Roraima State Championship, brown belt
  3. 5 yrsReferee for FJJRio, the first Brazilian jiu-jitsu federation
  4. 15 yrsHead referee for the IBJJF
  5. 2018Gold, IBJJF Boston Open, black belt Master 3
  6. 2019Began organizing PRIDE BJJ events in Chicago, where he is also head referee
  7. 2026Promoted to 6th-degree black belt in April, in a ceremony at Brazil 021 Arlington Heights

On the Mats With Professor Andre

In the academy.

Kids gi class seated around Professor Andre Terencio at Brazil 021 Arlington Heights
Gi class group photo with black-belt coaches at Brazil 021 Arlington Heights
Adult no-gi class kneeling in rows on the mats at Brazil 021 Arlington Heights
Adult no-gi class with Hannette Staack and Andre Terencio at Brazil 021 Arlington Heights

What Students Say About Professor Andre

From our Google reviews.

An amazing school led by professors Andre Terencio and Hannette Staack. I highly recommend this place.
Carlos Lemos
I'm a new student at Brazil-021, I have never participated in a martial art and didn't really know what to expect. What I got when I came in for a free lesson was that inside this gym are an amazing group of people that help you achieve your goals.
Roman Fodge