Contra Mestre Cabeção
Contra Mestre Cabeção has more than 20 years of experience studying and teaching Capoeira as well as a Bachelors Degree in Physical Education. His journey with Capoeira began with Mestre Esquilo in Sete Lagoas, MG, Brasil in June 1996. In 2010 he organized a Capoeira project with SESI - Servico Social da Industria, for children ages 3-10. He participated in numerous Capoeira events throughout Brazil, Israel and the USA and has been performing and teaching in New York, New Jersey, Connecticut, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts and various other locations in the U.S. since April 2011.
In January 2012 Contra Mestre Cabeção and his assistant, Instrutora Areia, started teaching in Ossining, NY. Classes in nearby Tarrytown started just a few months later. We hosted the group's first annual batizado (a ceremony to deliver the first cordão to each of the students and an event to celebrate our existence as a group) in October 2012. Classes in White Plains began in May 2013. In September 2013 we moved our Ossining class to Peekskill and expanded our schedule. We have been working as Cai Na Capoeira in the Westchester area to organize classes, workshops, performances and events with the intention of promoting capoeira and all elements of music, culture, health, dance and the arts.
Instrutora Areia
Instrutora Areia was first introduced to capoeira in Rochester, NY during her college years. She gained exposure to a few different capoeira groups during her post-graduate travels and eventually settled back home in the Hudson Valley where she joined Cordão de Ouro in September 2009. A few years of dedication to helping the group develop in the area (in Orange, Rockland, and Westchester counties) inspired her return to school to study Health Sciences and Occupational Therapy. She incorporated much of the knowledge gained throughout her studies into her work with capoeira, and vice versa. Beyond assisting Contra Mestre Cabeção with regular classes and performances, Instrutora Areia has led introductory and adapted capoeira workshops for SUNY Purchase's Performing Arts Workshop Series (PAWS), the Steffi Nossen School of Modern Dance's Master Class Series, the 2013 Caregivers Retreat hosted by the Alzheimer's Association of Hudson Valley, and more.