GRADUADA MULHER MARAVILHA
Lori Evans Maciel, also known as Graduada Mulher Maravilha, has been training with Axé Capoeira for over 16 years. Lori trained directly under Mestre Barrão for approximately 5 years, at Vancouver’s headquarters, until he moved back to Brazil. After this she remained training under Mestrando Barrãozinho and Contra-Mestre Ossoduro, who currently leads the Vancouver location. Lori has been teaching children for approximately 13 years. She has taught children of all ages, from 3 years old and up. Currently, she leads the mini kids, (ages 3-6 years old), program at the Vancouver Academy. She also helps support Contra-Mestre Ossoduro teaching youth and adult classes weekly. Lori has travelled to Brazil 5 times to participate in capoeira events and competitions and she has also travelled to events across Canada and the United States. Furthermore, she is a part of the Axé Capoeira Show Team and is the manager of Axé Capoeira Vancouver.

Chika “Chica” moved from Tokyo, Japan to Vancouver, Canada in 2005 to train for Capoeira and Afro-Brazilian Dance at Axé Capoeira’s Vancouver Academy.

She has traveled to Brazil, Kansas City, Phoenix, Seattle, Toronto, Calgary, Victoria to participate in workshops and perform in events. She has also performed at many local shows, demonstrations and festivals. Recently, on top of performing, her role has expanded to playing instruments for the shows as well.

In the past, she has helped teach Capoeira Kids Classes in North Vancouver.

Nowadays, she has been teaching the Afro-Brazilian Dance Class at the Axé Capoeira Vancouver Academy.

Her skills as a BCRPA Registered Group Fitness Instructor is an amalgamation of her experience as a fitness instructor and snowboarding instructor in Japan as well as her performance experiences through Capoeira.

Julie “Mumia” Ali was born in Burnaby, B.C. and now resides in Vancouver. She saw an Axé Capoeira demonstration at BCIT in 2003, and immediately fell in love with the combination of music, movement and martial arts. She joined Axé Capoeira and began taking classes in the Spring of 2004.

Training under the supervision and mentorship of Professor Barrãozinho, Mumia has been able to develop the skills, technique and knowledge to be a Capoeirista. To further enhance her knowledge and understanding of Capoeira and its roots she travelled to Brazil in 2005 and 2007, where she participated in events, workshops and classes across four states.

In 2006, she had the privilege of participating in Axé Capoeira’s week-long instructor’s course. At this course, revered Mestres of Capoeira including Mestre Barrão, and renowned historian Frede Abreu delivered in-depth lectures and intensive practical training.

Afro-Brazilian dance came to be a passion she discovered through Axé Capoeira. Aurina De Jesus (head choreographer of Axé Capoeira) trained her in a range of dances including Maracatu, Afro and Samba. She also has had the benefit of taking dance classes in Recife, Brazil at the famed Bale Popular do Recife. Mumia joined the Axé Capoeira Performance Group in 2005 and has since performed all over North America and in Brazil in over 100 shows.

Mumia is the Performance and Events manager for Axé Capoeira Vancouver. She currently teaches Capoeira and Brazilian Dance classes at the Vancouver academy. She also instructs Spinning and Zumba classes in the community.

Mumia attributes her drive, dedication and accomplishments in Axé Capoeira to the leadership and guidance of Mestre Barrao, Aurina De Jesus and Professor

Michael “Doido” Yorke was born in North Vancouver, B.C. Canada and began training Capoeira in 2000 with Mestre Barrão.
He first saw Axé Capoeira on Much Music, a Canadian music television show, and was instantly drawn to Capoeira. He noticed the academy was in Vancouver but was unable to get the address before the show ended. Luckily, Axé Capoeira came to his high school the following week. Doido quickly asked for information on classes and began training the next week.
Curious as to the philosophy, rituals, and stories hidden within the songs of Capoeira, Doido studied Portuguese intensely and became fluent. He considers this to be his biggest asset for growth in Capoeira and enjoys being able to speak and learn from Mestres, and Professors that visit Vancouver or he meets abroad. Doido has traveled extensively throughout North America and Brazil attending events, batizados, shows and performances.
Doido means crazy. He received this nickname for his fearlessness towards falling while training acrobatics. He learned very early from Capoeira; as in life, it doesn’t matter if you fall, but how quickly you get up. Training with Mestre Barrão until 2006 when Mestre returned to Brazil, he now trains with Contra-Mestre Barrãozinho at the Axé Capoeira Headquarters in Vancouver, Canada.
Since 2010 Graduado Doido has taught children’s classes at Seymour Dance Academy, in North Vancouver, Canada. And, as of January 2015 teaches students at the British Columbia Institute of Technology (BCIT) .

Kenneth ‘Intrutor Polvo’ Clarke has been training, teaching and performing with Axé Capoeira for over 15 years. He is a current Axé Capoeira Performance Team leader, and a In School Programs Leader with over 1000 shows and 100 school programs successfully completed. Polvo travels to Brazil annually and has competed in numerous Capoeira events in Vancouver, Victoria, Sau Paulo (BR), Recife (BR), Forta Leza (BR), Salvadore (BR), Seattle, Calgary, Toronto, Kansas City, and Santa Cruz. In 2007, Polvo Placed 1st in the advanced category during the Axé Capoeira Kansas City Capoeira Competition.