We are so proud of our youth capoeiristas and grateful to their parents for entrusting them with us. And we owe our youth instructors a huge amount of gratitude for all the time, dedication, and care they put into their kids classes. So who are our youth instructors?
Instrutor Soldadinho became interested in martial arts while growing up in Mexico. He began training with Mestra Cigarra in 2009 and has since become one of our most active and respected instructors. He’s known for his kindness and energetic leadership and has taught capoeira to San Francisco youth at ABADÁ-Capoeira San Francisco, local private and public schools, and with Young Audiences of the Bay Area.
Graduada Toninha is regarded for her focus on capoeira technique, informed by her role as a physical therapy assistant. Drawn to capoeira’s athleticism, playfulness, grace, and sense of community, she began training under Mestra Cigarra in 2008. She’s been a member of our performance troupe since 2010 and has since performed at several Bay Area events, including our 2023 performance of CIGARRA & Guerreiras Nessa Arte. She’s competed internationally and participated in countless educational performances. In 2021, she received her verde/roxa cord (green/purple) the last transition to becoming an official instructor.
We hope you’ll join our community in congratulating Instrutor Soldadinho and Graduada Toninho on graduating this year’s kids.