Capoeira Luanda- was born from the union of capoeiristas from different times and experiences, with the effective participation of all professors, instructors and graduates of Mestre Jelon. Capoeira Luanda was founded on April 6th, 2007, after a long process of research and study under the direction and guidance of Mestre Jelon.
OUR SUPERVISORS
Mestre Jelon- Jelon Vieira is the Founder and Artistic Director of Capoeira Foundation and DanceBrazil. He has earned much acclaim as a broadly talented choreographer, and a world renowned master and teacher of capoeira. Born in Bahia, Brazil, Mestre Jelon studied capoeira with the famous Mestres Bimba, Eziquiel, and Bobo.Since his arrival in the US in 1975, he has catalyzed the growing interest in and understanding of Brazilian culture while simultaneously developing his own choreographic style that blends tradition Afro-Brazilian dance and North American modern dance. In 1976 he formed the Capoeiras of Bahia with Loremil Machado. Then, in 1977, Mr. Vieira founded DanceBrazil, and for the last 20 years has guided the company through breathtaking performances of capoeira and Afro-Brazilian dance. Mestre Jelon has taught in many residency workshops and has been a guest instructor at Yale University’s African-American Studies Department for 12 years with Dr. Robert Ferris Thompson. In 1993, after a decade of collaboration between The Capoeira Foundation and the Carver Cultural Community Center, Mestre Jelon and Carver Center Director Jo Long decided to create Ilê Bahia de San Antonio, the House of African-Brazilian Arts.
Professor Esquilo- An enthusiast of martial arts since childhood, Washington Luiz Lima Porto (Esquilo) developed an interest in Capoeira as a teenager when he began studying with Mestre Jelon Vieira in Salvador, Bahia,Brazil. A student of Mestre Jelon since 1994, Professor Esquilo has devoted his life to Capoeira and the instruction of this unique Afro-Brazilian martial art. He is currently teaching Capoeira in Miami and Miami Beach. He was a visiting artist with Ilê Bahia de San Antonio, of San Antonio, Texas, where he taught Capoeira classes for all age and skill levels. Between 1996 and 1998, he served as an assistant to Mestre Jelon for beginning level students in Salvador. In 1997 and 2001, Mr. Porto also toured with the internationally acclaimed African-Brazilian dance company DanceBrazil, performing and choreographing in Phoenix, Arizona; New York City and San Antonio, Texas.
OUR INSTRUCTOR
Instructor Feijão - A Native of San Antonio, Texas, Seitu Beck (Feijão) first started Capoeira in 1997 at the age of nineteen. He began training under the Instruction of Professor Lalo, nephew of Mestre Jelon Vieira, where he quickly developed a love for the art of Capoeira as well as Brazilian culture. Through lê Bahia de San Antonio, Instructor Feijão acquired proficiency and instructorship in Samba, Afro-Brazilian percussion, and Capoeira–largely influenced by Dance Brazil. In 1998, Professor Esquilo, a native of Brazil and a close student to Mestre Jelon, took over as the Instructor in San Antonio, providing his students with a stronger connection to the roots of Capoeira in Bahia. Under Professor Esquilo’s supervision, Instructor Feijão began teaching his own youth classes and assisting Instructor Esquilo with beginners’ classes. In 2004, Instructor Feijão reached the level of Graduado and in that same year he had his first opportunity to travel to Salvador, Bahia. This experience inspired him to start his own group in 2006, when he relocated to Austin, TX. Shortly after, he was awarded the title of Instructor. With over ten years of experience, Instructor Feijão continues to strive to further develop the foundations of his group; and recently, he founded the ACF (Austin Capoeira Foundation), a non-profit organization designed to promote appreciation for Brazilian culture and to build awareness of Capoeira throughout Austin, Texas.