Capoeira Luanda

Capoeira Work Experience

 

   Teaching Capoeira

     (1999 - Present)

 

     25 years training Capoeira and 19 years teaching Capoeira.

 

    I started teaching capoeira during my first year in Psychology at PUC-Rio back in 1999, helping my teacher. Since then, it has been a long road. I already taught classes and courses in a few different countries: Brazil, New Zealand, many different states of the US, and Mexico.

   

     During my career, I have taught classes for all sorts of groups and people, from groups of over 200 teenagers at once for the non-profit organization Athletes for Education in San Diego, CA, to private individuals and groups. I've taught in well over 20 different gyms, at least 13 different public and private schools, including after school programs, just in the San Diego Area, and also for kids from correctional facilities and kids with different psychological or even physical disabilities.

   

     Since 2002, I have taught and performed in many different venues from small coffee shops, dance and other stages, theaters and street carnival parades, to a full Petco Park Stadium (baseball stadium in San Diego) for the World Finals of Rugby. However, the The Youth Promise Act, a performance held in Washington D.C. at the House of the Senate, is one that I hold dearly in my career in the United States of America.

 

   

    Leading My Own Group: Massapê Capoeira

     (2010 to 2013)

 

     This experience taught me a lot. I was humbled to understand that I had a long way to go and needed guidance and support. One of the most important things I learned is how important it is to have a Mestre connected with the roots and traditions of capoeira to guide, teach and inspire.

 

   

    Head Professor of Capoeira Luanda San Diego

      (2013 - Present)

 

     In 2013 I was accepted by the renowned capoeira master and world class choreographer Mestre Jelon Vieira as his student and disciple. Since then, it is been the greatest experience yet, to study with and represent the pioneer of capoeira in the USA with over 50 years of experience with this art form. All his knowledge directs us to keep connected with the deep roots of Capoeira that he personally experienced in Bahia, Salvador, Brazil. At the same time with his experience as a world renowned choreographer, he exposes his students and keeps us connected with what is most modern in this art form.

 

 

     Capoeira Workshop: "Teach For Kids With Mestre Toni Vargas"

       (2004)

 

     This workshop was a very pleasant class day at a ranch in Rio de Janeiro with Mestre Toni Vargas. Back in 2002 I have had the pleasure to host Mestre Toni at my place while I was living and working with capoeira in San Diego and I found out what an amazing and charming capoeirista and human being Mestre Toni is. However, taking his class about how to teach for kids was amazing! It took me to another level of teaching and opened my psychologist eyes to how much I can use the imaginary elements of capoeira to approach, communicate with and teach kids. His class is at once very academic and emotional, and one of the most important workshops I took about how to teach capoeira.

 

 

    Workshops & Classes with renowed Masters and Researchers

     (1994 - Present)

 

     - Lectures:Carlos Eugênio Soares, Mestre João Grande, Mestre Itapoan, Mestre Nestor Capoeira, Mestre Acordeon, Mestre Deputado...

 

     - Classes and Workshops: Mestre Jelon, Mestre João Grande, Mestre Itapoan, Mestre Acordeon, Mestre Onca Preta, Mestre Luizinho de Bimba, Mestre Deputado, Mestre Suassuna, Mestre Suino, Mestre Mao Branca, Mestre Nestor Capoeira, Mestre Peixinho, Mestre Garincha, Mestre Gil Velho, Mestre Ramos, Mestre Toni Vargas, Mestre Paulinho Sabiá, Mestre Boneco, Mestre Paulão do Ceará, Mestre Balão, Mestre Espirro Mirim, and many more...