ABOUT OUR SCHOOL

Kapoeira N’gola Preto Velho shares Capoeira de Angola under the guidance and direction of Mestre Themba Mashama.

MEET OUR INSTRUCTORS

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  • MEET MESTRE THEMBA MASHAMA

    Mestre Themba Mashama is a San Francisco native who has dedicated over 42 years of his life to the study of capoeira. As a father, husband, activist, and therapist, he has embraced capoeira not only as a martial art, but also as a means of personal and community development. He began his journey training Capoeira Regional under the instruction of Mestre Acordeon, and later pursued Capoeira de Angola under the guidance of Mestre Moraes.

    Mestre Themba Mashama holds the distinction of being the first American capoeirista to achieve mastery in both Capoeira Regional and Capoeira de Angola styles, solidifying his reputation as an authority in the art form. Additionally, he holds the distinction of establishing the first Capoeira de Angola school in the United States, further contributing to the growth of this traditional style in the country.

    Currently, Mestre Themba serves as the esteemed leader of Kapoeira N’gola Preto Velho. Through his expertise, passion, and dedication, he continues to empower students of all backgrounds, sharing the rich cultural heritage and transformative power of capoeira with the community.

An older man with a beard and dreadlocks, wearing a white headwrap, scarf, jacket, and pants, stands on a sidewalk beside a brick building with large windows. He has his hands in his pockets and looks into the distance.

  • MEET TREINEL MO

    Treinel Mo is a devoted student and capoeira instructor who has trained under the guidance of Mestre Themba Mashama for over 15 years.

    His martial arts journey commenced in 1980, and by the late 1980s, Treinel Mo began his course as a martial arts instructor and mentor. He holds the title of Guro (teacher) in the Filipino martial art of Kali within the renowned Kamatuuran School of Kali, and is currently a competitive Brazilian jiujitsu practitioner.

    Beyond his martial arts expertise, for over 10 years, he has played a significant role as a major fiscal sponsor for various annual capoeira events such as Zumbimba, supporting numerous national and local Kapoeira N'gola Preto Velho offerings which have hosted Mestres from Brazil and the United States.

    Academically, Treinel Mo holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering from U.C. Berkeley's top-rated public university engineering program. He currently runs his own business in Berkeley, California, where he resides with his family.

    Treinel Mo's goal is to faithfully steward the art of Capoeira Angola, ensuring the richness of its disciplines encompassing physical movement, spiritual training, social development, and its many other beneficial aspects are shared with the community and the world.

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  • MEET INSTRUCTOR NICO ZULUAGA

    Nico Zuluaga is a dedicated capoeira practitioner since 2007, specializing in Capoeira de Angola. As a member of Kapoeira N'gola Preto Velho since 2014, Nico embarked on his journey as a capoeira instructor in the Inland Empire in 2016.

    Beyond capoeira, Nico is a father, artist, entrepreneur, and spiritual therapist with expertise in shamanic practices and energetic healing techniques. With over 15 years of experience as a public speaker, performer, and instructor, Nico aspires to inspire his students, providing them with a holistic capoeira experience that goes beyond physicality and fosters personal growth.

    Nico endeavors to infuse a sense of playfulness in his teachings while emphasizing community building, personal empowerment, and strong foundational principles. His ultimate goal is to create an environment where capoeira seamlessly merges with creativity, spiritual connection, and the joy of personal development.

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  • MEET INSTRUCTOR CHEYENNE DUNBAR

    First introduced to Capoeira de Angola in 2011, Cheyenne Dunbar is a martial artist, personal trainer, and musician with extensive training in various art forms which emphasize mobility, self-protection, and personal expression.

    With a rich background encompassing contact improv, choreographed dance, archery, weapons deployment, Muy Thai, Taijiquan, Kung Fu San Soo, Afro-Colombian Esgrima y machete, and other Afro-diaspora arts, Cheyenne draws upon the connections between these disciplines to offer a fresh perspective on body artistry, merging strong foundational principles with artistic freedom and creativity.

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