Yet another global ABADÁ leader, Professor Côco, founder of ABADÁ-Capoeira Bronx and ABADÁ-Capoeira Florida, will lend his energy to this year’s celebration.
Professor Côco was born in São Paulo, Brazil, and raised in Curitiba, Paraná. He began training Capoeira at the age of ten and started teaching at the age of 16, under the supervision of Mestre Piriquito Verde, working with children. Professor Côco was part of Mestre Piriquito Verde’s team of students who developed an effective teaching methodology for children.
Professor Côco’s expertise and ability to engage, nurture, and inspire young students has enabled him to become a sought-after Capoeira teacher by parents and academic settings seeking experiential Capoeira arts education.
In 2010, Professor Côco co-founded ABADÁ-Capoeira Bronx in New York with his wife, Instrutora Franjinha, building programs for NYC public schools and on-site at their full-time cultural center. At its peak, ACBX reached nearly 3,000 people annually through free public programs, schools, events, and weekly on-site classes.
Recently, Professor Côco and his wife, Instrutora Franjinha, launched ABADÁ-Florida, seeking to expand capoeira and the ABADÁ school, build community and share their passion for the art.