ADB Teachers

Contramestre Galego 

Patrick Hilligan is the founder and director of Capoeira Água de Beber and the owner of Move! Studio.  He has been training capoeira since 1990 and teaching since 2000.  Nicknamed "Galego" (Portuguese for Galecian, i.e. central European), he spent ten years living in the Bay Area learning from respected masters Mestre Acordeon and Mestre Rã before graduating in July 2000.  In September in 2000 Professor Galego moved to Sacramento to start his career teaching capoeira.  He opened his own academy in 2001, and in 2005 was promoted to the level Contramestre.  Along the way Galego has made six trips to Brazil (so far), continued his education (Masters of Science, Physical Education), taught over 5000 capoeira classes, performed all over California, and is living his dream of a career in capoeira.

Professor Galego (center left) in Bahia, Brazil 12/25/2001

 Student Instructors

ADB student instructors teach classes at Move! and other locations, especially the Cordão Azuls, or upper level students.  Cordão azul refers to the blue cord given to individuals who have at least 5 years training. Currently active ADB Azuls include Caxias, Irmão, Tornado, Borbulias, Bode, Macarrão, Castanho, Txell, Sonho, Bebida, Caçador, Força, Moleque, Urshinho, and Largatixa.

Ursinho, Moleque, Gavião, Catalona, Borbulias, Macarrão, CM Galego, Tornado, Irmão, Castanho, Bode, Caxias, Sonho

United Capoeira Association Teachers 

Mestre Acordeon

Ubirajara Almeida is a student of legendary Mestre Bimba and was one of the first capoeira masters to perform and teach in the United States.  In 1979 he began his work in the Bay Area, building a group and a school, writing the first book in English about capoeira, recording 12 albums of music, and introducing capoeira to several generations of North Americans.  Today Mestre Acordeon teaches together with Mestra Suelly at their school in Berkeley and around the world. 

Mestra Suelly, Mestre Acordeon, Mestre Rã

 Mestre Rã

Casio Martinho was born in Jundai, Brazil where he practiced capoeira since his childhood.  He lived in Bahia where he studied and performed capoeira with many old masters no longer with us today, including playing capoeira in the famed Mercado Modelo.  Later Mestre Rã trained with Mestre Suassuna in São Paulo, won several national capoeira competitions, and opened his own school in his hometown.  In the 90's Casio lived in the Bay Area where he worked with Mestre Acordeon to found the United Capoeira Association.  Today Mestre Rã continues to teach capoeira at his school in Jundai.

Mestra Suelly

Suellen Einarsen started learning capoeira in 1982.  In 2000 she became the first american woman to earn the title of mestre, establishing herself as a pioneer and role model.  Mestra Suelly has taught and performed capoeira all over the world as well as helping to establish and direct the United Capoeira Association.  Today she continues to teach capoeira together with Mestre Acordeon at their school in Berkeley and around the world.

2005 UCA Formatura

The United Capoeira Association also includes Mestre Amunka (Ukiah), Mestre Calango (Michigan), Mestre Galo (Denver), Contramestre Dondi (Tucson), Contramestre Cravo (Oakland), plus instructors and professors in different cities throughout the US.