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About Us
CAPOEIRA GIRASSOL
We are a capoeira academy based in Albuquerque, NM, led by Professor Cabeça de Ovo, with the support of esteemed Mestres Acordeon and Suelly. The school operates under the banner of the United Capoeria Association, an international organization for the study and practice of capoeira. We offer classes for adults and families out of Maple Street Dance Space in Nob Hill.
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MESTRE ACORDEON
Ubirajara Almeida, a student of legendary Mestre Bimba, is an author, musician, historian, and an iconic capoeira master. One of the early pioneers to bring Capoeira to the United States in the late 1970's. Mestre Acordeon has been a guide for many generations of capoeiristas across the world in his nearly 60 years of dedication to this incredible art.
"Capoeira is a tool to make people better human beings"
- Mestre Acordeon
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​MESTRA SUELLY
Suellen Einarsen is the first American woman to earn the title of Capoeira Mestra. She began her path in Capoeira in 1982 learning from Mestre Acordeon and is part of the first generation of his students in the U.S.A. She is widely recognized as one of the greatest Capoeira Mestras in the world.​
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MESTRE AVESTRUZ
Founder of Capoeira Girassol.
Mestre Avestruz began training with Mestre Acordeon in the Bay Area in 1981. He founded Capoeira Girassol in 1984, based in Santa Fe, and was teaching there for ten years. Since leaving New Mexico, he has taught in Athens, GA and Boulder, CO (Canto do Galo), and founded his current group, Fundo da Mata in Knoxville, TN.
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PROFESSOR CABEÒªA DE OVO
Greg Suchocki, professor Cabeça de Ovo, is the leader and main teacher at Capoeira Girassol. He started capoeira in 1999. He has learned from Mestre Acordeon, Mestre Ra, Mestra Suelly, Contramestre Maluco (who ran our school in the early 2000's), Contramestre Avestruz (the founder of this chapter of UCA), among others. He brings a playful element to class, a hard work ethic and excellent music skills.​
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MONITOR GAVIAO
Benjamin Shendo, "Gaviao", began his Capoeira journey in 2007. In 2012 after graduating from New Mexico State University, he started introducing Capoeira to his community at Jemez and Cochiti Pueblo. Gaviao strives to share all what he has learned from Mestre Acordeon and Mestra Suelly.​
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MONITOR MATRIX
Teaches the basics class at Capoeira Girassol. He has been practicing capoeira for nearly ten years.
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MONITORA DUENDE
Teaches the youth and family class at Capoeira Girassol. She has been practicing capoeira since 2017 and has a special passion for the music.