Capoeira Lineage

Capoeira Arts Dance goal is to teach and promote Afro Brazilian Dance and Capoeira. We strive to create memorable, happy and empowering moments in every class! Through encouragement and hard training at our studio or performances and events, every day at CAD is tailored to be special and uplifting!

Mestre Bobó (1925-1994)

Was a very important Capoeira Mestre (Angola Style) Mestre Bobo was Mestre Jelon’s first Capoeira Master,who show his the first steps in Capoeira

Mestre Ezequiel
(1941-1997)

Was a very important Capoeira Mestre( Regional Style) Mestre Ezequiel was Mestre Jelon’s second Capoeira Master who give his Master Capoeira title.

Mestre Vieira

Mestre Jelon Vieira, founder of Capoeira Luanda, is a world-renowned master and teacher of capoeira. Born in Santo Amaro da Purificação, Bahia, Brazil, in 1953, at age ten he started learning capoeira Angola with Mestre Emerito and later with Mestre Bobô.

Capoeira and Flow movement with Mestre Alegria

For the past several years, Mr. Silva has been developing his own style of dance, where he mixes Capoeira with modern dance and Contemporary Dance. He has also participated as director and choreographer of National Black Arts Festival (Atl-GA), choreographer assistant of So You Think You Can Dance (Canada) and performed in the Houston Brazilian Festival (Hou-TX). Mr. Silva has been an artist in residence for Philadanco Dance Company.

  • Leandro Silva (Mestre Alegria) was born in Bahia, Brazil. He began his Capoeira training at the age of ten years old with Mestre Jelon Vieira and has demonstrated and taught capoeira throughout Brazil, the United States and Europe.
  • An accomplished, professionally trained dancer of various styles (Capoeira, Afro Brazilian, Modern, Ballet, Contemporary), Mr. Silva has toured the world for several years as a member of the highly acclaimed DanceBrazil dance company.

Also Alegria has been part of several other international companies such as Brazarte Dance Company (Miami-FL), Cleo Parker Robinson Dance (Denver-CO), Orquestra Popular da Bahia (Brazil), and Ballethnic Dance Company (Atlanta-GA). He has also performed in important Dance events like, Capezio 125 years, Broadway & Beyond ( 2012-2014).

Janete dance, Janete Da Silva

Janete Silva is a Dancer, choreographer, Performer and educator from Salvador, Bahia, Brazil. She has studied dance since childhood and her professional training includes Afro-Brazilian Traditional dances, Ballet, Modern, Capoeira (a Brazilian Martial Art), Silva Technique (Fuzion of Capoeira and Dance) and Silvestre Technique.

Janete has performed with many acclaimed local and international Companies, including Bale Folclórico da Bahia (Brazil), DanceBrazil (New York), Bahia Brazil (Los Angeles), Orquestra Popular da Bahia (Brazil), Freddiek Bratcher and Company (Miami), Brazil Skindo Company (Miami), Viver Brazil Dance Company (L.A), and Ballethnic Dance Company(ATL). Janete has also appeared as a dancer on Ivete Sangalo’s DVDs MTV ao Vivo and Maracana. She participated in the Lowell Folk Festival (Lowell), National Black Arts Festival (Georgia), the Brazilian Independence Day Celebration, Target’s Super Sabado! at El Museo del Barrio, and the Houston Brazilian Festival.

Embark on a Vibrant Journey with Afro-Brazilian Dance
Get ready to immerse yourself in the rich tapestry of Afro-Brazilian dance, a captivating blend of African rhythms, ancestral movements, and cultural expression. This dynamic dance form is more than just steps and beats; it's a window into a fascinating history and a pathway to personal empowerment.
Rooted in Tradition
Afro-Brazilian dance draws its lifeblood from the vibrant cultures of Africa, brought to Brazil. Their movements whispered stories of resistance, celebration, and spiritual connection, passed down through generations through the power of tradition. These ancestral rhythms became the heartbeat of Afro-Brazilian dance, woven into the fabric of religious ceremonies and everyday life.
Evolving Expression
Over time, Afro-Brazilian dance has blossomed into a kaleidoscope of styles, each with its own unique flavor. From the frenetic energy of Capoeira to the sensual sway of Maculele, every movement tells a story. The influence of indigenous cultures and the ever-evolving spirit of the Brazilian people have added their own brushstrokes to this magnificent artistic canvas.
A Full-Body Experience
Afro-Brazilian dance is not just about putting one foot in front of the other. It's a full-body experience that engages your muscles, ignites your senses, and stirs your soul. The agility and release of the head, shoulders, arms, torso, and hips create a mesmerizing interplay of energy and control. Bent knees and feet rooted to the ground pulse with the rhythm, connecting you to the earth and the ancestral spirits that guide your steps.
Beyond the Steps
The benefits of Afro-Brazilian dance extend far beyond the physical. It's a journey of self-discovery, building confidence, creativity, and community. As you lose yourself in the rhythm, you tap into a wellspring of joy and liberation, connecting with your inner spirit and celebrating the beauty of cultural heritage.

Join a community, embrace a culture, and discover the magic of Afro-Brazilian dance!

Schedule your first class

Creating High Impact For Our Community.

Capoeira Arts Dance
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Caroline C.
06:03 08 Mar 26
I love capoiera because I love taking classes with Mestre Alegria! It’s more than just a class it’s a community of friends!
Alvin M.
20:51 04 Mar 26
Mestre Alegria is a must stop destination in NYC for capoeira. You are definitely in for a treat whenever you go to class.
Patrick P.
22:46 17 Jan 26
The best kind of workout you can get. Cardio, self defense, movement. But the best part is the community of students and Mestre Algeria’s teaching. I look forward to every class and you won’t regret checking it out for yourself!
shem A.
02:40 17 Jan 26
Capoeira Mestre Alegria’s class is incredible. He is an extraordinary capoeirista—patient, knowledgeable, and genuinely fun to learn from. His guidance creates a welcoming space where everyone can grow and enjoy the process. The crew is fantastic, and the energy is always great—especially when Gafanhoto is there.
Peterson F.
00:21 17 Jan 26
What I love about this place is that the kids learn so much more than Capoeira. They learn how to work together, communicate, and build confidence. I can’t wait for my youngest to be eligible to join the fun
Lisa C.
22:23 10 Jan 26
Mestre Alegria and Instrotura Aide are extremely rare people. They are super talented, kind and welcoming, and seem to inspire a sense of community wherever they go. Because of the kind of energy they create and attract, there is 0 toxicity in the community of this group. The community includes a wide range of skill levels, with some practicing for decades and some just starting, and yet each class is created in a way that beginners can feel welcomed while more advanced capoeiristas hone their skills - everyone gets challenged! The classes are thoughtfully designed - you can tell that Mestre Alegria thinks a lot about how the class will build and relate to other classes and how to teach and correct technique so that people can follow. There is a foundations class (which focuses on perfecting particular moves and techniques, including advanced ones, as well as simple combinations) and a combination class (which trains combination and flow) as well as a longer Saturday class that includes plenty of time to work music and skills in the roda. Classes are 1.5 hours, or 2 hours on Saturday. There is also a kids class! Both Mestre Alegria and Instrotura Aide encourage cultural learning and bring a lot of wisdom. Every class or roda, the energy will leave you feeling better than when you came in - come by and get addicted, make your life more beautiful!
Nicole C.
18:32 10 Jan 26
My kids have been coming to Mestre Alegria’s kids capoeira class for 2 years and I honestly can’t say enough good things about CADNY. Our Brazilian American family came expecting a fun way to keep our kids active and have instead found culture, friendship, fitness and a second family here at CADNY. We were so impressed with our kids growth in such a short period of time that my husband began taking classes again for the first time in over 15 years. Mestre Alegria keeps class fun and engaging for our children aged 5 and 7 through movement, music - they are learning to play traditional Brazilian instruments used during the capoeira roda and play. He also ensures adult classes are appropriately challenging and provides excellent feedback fostering the growth of each individual student. CADNY is second to none for high quality capoeira instruction for the entire family at any skill level, in a great location and at a great price. OBRIGADA CADNY!
Kristina D.
23:03 09 Jan 26
I’ve been training with Mestre Alegria for two years, and my kids take classes with him as well. He is extremely professional and deeply community focused, and that shows in everything he does. Classes are well run, start on time, and communication with students and parents is clear and reliable. As a busy parent, I really appreciate how well organized he is as a teacher.

This is a very family friendly group. Mestre Alegria is supportive of parents and thoughtful about how kids learn and grow. My children have gained confidence and focus, and they really enjoy being part of the group.

As an adult student, I value how intentional he is as a teacher. He takes teaching capoeira seriously while keeping the environment welcoming and respectful. There is a strong sense of care for the art, the history, and the people in the room.

This has been a meaningful community for both me and my kids, and I recommend his classes wholeheartedly.
Jonathan J.
16:44 07 Jan 26
Maestre Alegria is one the most inspirational people I know. He is incredibly gifted at motivating you to do what you never thought you could and bringing out the best in every student . You can feel how much he cares about his students and pours so much into the capoeira community. Classes here will help you improve your strength, coordination, technique and is overall give you a sense of fulfillment that carries over in other areas. I feel very grateful to have found them.

Capoeira

Capoeira is an Afro-Brazilian martial art characterized by powerful kicks, fluid movements, music, and dodges called esquivas. Capoeira strikes involve the use of the shins, feet, knees, elbows, head butts, open-palms, and various sweeps. In 2014, Unesco designated Capoeira as an “intangible cultural heritage”, and today the art is practiced all over the world.

Capoeira was created somewhere between 1500-1700. The date is unclear because the Portuguese burned almost all records of slavery after slavery was declared illegal in 1888. For this reason, there are very few sources that date back to this time.

What we know is that enslaved africans played a major part in the creation of Capoeira. In the early 1900s, Capoeira schools began to sprout in Salvador, Bahia. During this time, Mestre Bimba was the most popular Capoeira teacher in Brazil, and his students traveled around the country to teach the art. Within 100 years the art spread across the globe and can now be seen in every major city in the world.