Instrutor Grilo
Instrutor Grilo discovered Capoeira as an undergraduate at UC Irvine where he met Professor Corpo Fechado. Since then, he has trained under the guidance of Professor Corpo Fechado for over 10 years. His passion for movement is realized through his experience with different movement arts, such as acro yoga and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and is manifested through his focus on form and fluidity in Capoeira. Instrutor Grilo believes in Capoeira as an instrument of expression that can enable students to grow interpersonally and as members of their community.
Outside of Capoeira, Instrutor Grilo has a background in biomedical engineering and has a career in medical devices as an engineer.
Outside of Capoeira, Instrutor Grilo has a background in biomedical engineering and has a career in medical devices as an engineer.
Contra Mestre Corpo Fechado
Corpo Fechado has trained Capoeira under Professor (now Contra Mestre) Xingu and Mestre Amen since the age of 12. 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 has pursued a career in finance and is now a Financial Advisor at Wells Fargo.
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 has pursued a career in finance and is now a Financial Advisor at Wells Fargo.
Mestre Xingu
Xingu has been doing Capoeira since his youth. He started out with Mestre Vaughino at Capoeira San Jose and then moved out to Los Angeles in 1997 where he continued his training with Mestre Santo of Capoeira Batuque. Mestre Amen Santo gave Xingu permission to teach when Xingu became a Professor in the year 2000. Twelve years later, Mestre Amen made Xingu a Contra Mestre in Capoeira. Also during that time, Xingu became a Guro in Eskrima from his Eskrima Maestro Jesse. Xingu has been teaching Capoeira in the San Fernando Valley over a decade now. He is the first Capoeira teacher in the valley to open up a school and is still here to this day.
Xingu has also been involved in spreading and educating Capoeira and Eskrima to the world through the media. He has been in numerous theaters, commercials, music videos, and films displaying Capoeira and has taught numerous actors and actresses Capoeira and Eskrima. Some of his past and current clients are Academy Award actress Charlize Theron (Monster, Aeon Flux), Lee Thompson Young (The Famous Jett Jackson, Friday Night Lights, South Beach) Bill Bellamy (Def Comedy Jam), and many more. Xingu has also taught for many programs to help the youth of the community, such as the Upward Bound Program, P.S. Arts, Music Center, Los Angeles Unified School District, City Of Beverly Hills and others. Xingu has always said that Capoeira and Eskrima helps individuals because it helps them get over their fears and understand who they are inside.
Xingu has also been involved in spreading and educating Capoeira and Eskrima to the world through the media. He has been in numerous theaters, commercials, music videos, and films displaying Capoeira and has taught numerous actors and actresses Capoeira and Eskrima. Some of his past and current clients are Academy Award actress Charlize Theron (Monster, Aeon Flux), Lee Thompson Young (The Famous Jett Jackson, Friday Night Lights, South Beach) Bill Bellamy (Def Comedy Jam), and many more. Xingu has also taught for many programs to help the youth of the community, such as the Upward Bound Program, P.S. Arts, Music Center, Los Angeles Unified School District, City Of Beverly Hills and others. Xingu has always said that Capoeira and Eskrima helps individuals because it helps them get over their fears and understand who they are inside.