PROFESSOR VIAJANTE
Curriculum and Program Director
Adam Kaswiner has trained extensively his entire life. Tae Kwon Do as a kid, Wrestling in high school and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in college. Yoga & Pilates in Atlanta, India, and Hawaii. His capoeira nickname is traveler, with eight years of Capoeira in Amsterdam, Brazil, New Jersey, and Las Vegas.
After graduating from the Culinary Institute of America, Adam moved to Las Vegas and has been teaching capoeira for several years.
MESTRE CIGANO
In 1996, Mestre Cigano opened the New Jersey Capoeira Arts Center, in the East Ward of Newark, NJ. He has dedicated himself to teaching students of all ages and backgrounds, not only the fundamentals of capoeira, but his philosophy of respect and integrity. Although he returned to Brazil in late 2008 to Porto Seguro, his influence is evident to the enormous success of capoeira in New Jersey.
PROFESSORA AMAZONAS
Curriculum and Program Director
Jah Burton serves as the Curriculum Developer of for the Afro Brazilian Arts & Education Academy as well as the Artistic Director for Grupo Liberdade de Capoeira, the first capoeira group formed in New Jersey. Upholding the flag and legacy built by her teacher, Mestre Cigano (Robson Ribeiro), she works tirelessly with her business partner Profesor Macaco (Saman Dashti) to provide quality engaging workshops for adults and at risk youth.
PROFESSOR MACACO
Curriculum and Program Director
Saman moved to New Jersey in 1997 and joined Grupo Liberdade de Capoeira. He teaches capoeira classes in the Newark YMCA and Grace Community and works as a teaching artist in the public schools. He is currently teaching capoeira in Charlottesville, VA.
