Corpo Fechado has trained Capoeira under Professor Xingu and Mestre Amen since the age of 13. He was first introduced to Capoeira through the movie, Only The Strong, featuring what would soon be his Mestre, Amen Santo. Since beginning his training at the Santa Monica Airport studio with Mestre Amen, Corpo Fechado has developed a deep respect for Capoeira and the Afro-Brazilian culture.
Corpo Fechado moved to Orange County to attend the University of California, Irvine in 2005. Despite being far from his Professor and Mestre, he made every effort to keep his training consistent. During his time at UCI, Corpo Fechado co-founded the Capoeira Cultural Club and became an integral part of instructing the introductory classes with Domingos Begalli at the Anteater Recreation Center (ARC). Through this group he aided in the development of new students by conducting music lessons, acrobatic beach training, and Capoeira social events.
Corpo Fechado has trained in other martial arts including White Lotus Kung Fu, Muay Thai, and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu but Capoeira has always been his passion. This passion fueled his senior research project focusing on the social aspects of Capoeira from the different viewpoints of men and women. He earned two Bachelor of Arts degrees in Criminology, Law, & Society and General Social Ecology.
Corpo Fechado has spread Capoeira and related arts (Maculele and Samba) through performances with Ballet Folclorico Do Brasil directed by Mestre Amen, projects with Professor Xingu, and through his own endeavors with Capoeira Batuque Irvine. These performances include school assemblies, community events, martial arts expositions, dance performances, red carpet events, and music videos. Corpo Fechado hopes to keep building his Capoeira classes while creating a strong Capoeira community in Irvine and the surrounding cities of Orange County. He truly believes that anyone that can walk can play Capoeira and benefit from the endless gifts the art has to offer.
Corpo Fechado moved to Orange County to attend the University of California, Irvine in 2005. Despite being far from his Professor and Mestre, he made every effort to keep his training consistent. During his time at UCI, Corpo Fechado co-founded the Capoeira Cultural Club and became an integral part of instructing the introductory classes with Domingos Begalli at the Anteater Recreation Center (ARC). Through this group he aided in the development of new students by conducting music lessons, acrobatic beach training, and Capoeira social events.
Corpo Fechado has trained in other martial arts including White Lotus Kung Fu, Muay Thai, and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu but Capoeira has always been his passion. This passion fueled his senior research project focusing on the social aspects of Capoeira from the different viewpoints of men and women. He earned two Bachelor of Arts degrees in Criminology, Law, & Society and General Social Ecology.
Corpo Fechado has spread Capoeira and related arts (Maculele and Samba) through performances with Ballet Folclorico Do Brasil directed by Mestre Amen, projects with Professor Xingu, and through his own endeavors with Capoeira Batuque Irvine. These performances include school assemblies, community events, martial arts expositions, dance performances, red carpet events, and music videos. Corpo Fechado hopes to keep building his Capoeira classes while creating a strong Capoeira community in Irvine and the surrounding cities of Orange County. He truly believes that anyone that can walk can play Capoeira and benefit from the endless gifts the art has to offer.
