Professor Grilo
Professor Grilo discovered Capoeira during his undergraduate studies at UC Irvine, where he met and began training under Contra Mestre Corpo Fechado. What began as curiosity quickly grew into a lifelong passion. For over a decade, he has dedicated himself to the art, studying its movements, music, and philosophy under the guidance of his teacher.
With a deep appreciation for movement, Professor Grilo draws from a broad base of physical disciplines, including track and field, wrestling, yoga, dance, and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. These influences shape his Capoeira style, which emphasizes precision, flow, and adaptability. His classes are rooted in tradition but always open to expression, encouraging students to explore their physicality while connecting with others.
To Professor Grilo, Capoeira is more than a martial art—it’s a vehicle for personal and communal growth. He sees the roda as a space where individuals learn to listen, express themselves, build confidence, and support one another.
Outside the roda, Professor Grilo brings the same curiosity and discipline to his professional life. With a background in biomedical engineering, he works in the medical device field as an analytics professional, bridging technical insight with real-world impact.
Contra Mestre Corpo Fechado
Corpo Fechado began training Capoeira with Mestre Xingu and Mestre Amen in 1999 at the age of 11. He was first introduced to Capoeira through the movie, Only The Strong, featuring what would soon be his teacher, Amen Santo. Since beginning his training at the Santa Monica Airport studio with Mestre Amen, Corpo Fechado has developed a deep respect for Capoeira and the Afro-Brazilian culture.
Corpo Fechado moved to Orange County to attend the University of California, Irvine in 2005. During his time at UCI, Corpo Fechado co-founded the Capoeira Cultural Club and became an integral part of instructing the introductory classes with Domingos Begalli at the Anteater Recreation Center (ARC). In this group he aided in the development of new students through the conducting of music lessons, acrobatic beach training, and Capoeira social events.
Corpo Fechado has trained in other martial arts including White Lotus Kung Fu, Muay Thai, and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu but Capoeira has always been his passion. This passion fueled his senior research project focusing on the social aspects of Capoeira from the different viewpoints of men and women. He earned two Bachelor of Arts degrees in Criminology, Law, & Society and General Social Ecology. Upon graduating from UCI in 2009, Corpo opened his first Capoeira school in Irvine.
After undergraduate studies, Corpo earned a Master of Business Administration degree, focusing in finance, from the Paul Merage School of Business at UC Irvine. He began his career as a Financial Advisor with Morgan Stanley and Wells Fargo Advisors. He is now CFO of Telcentris, dba Voxox.
Corpo Fechado has since created his own school, The Capoeira Dance & Fitness Center with locations in Long Beach and Irvine. CDFC is affiliated with Capoeira Relampue in Santa Barbara, with the mentorship and guidance of Mestre Mariano Silva.
Corpo Fechado has spread Capoeira and related arts (Maculele and Samba) through performances with Ballet Folclorico Do Brasil directed by Mestre Amen, projects with Mestre Xingu, projects with BCACSB directed by Mestre Mariano Silva, and through his own endeavors with CDFC Capoeira Long Beach & Irvine. These performances include school assemblies, community events, martial arts expositions, dance performances, red carpet events, and music videos. Corpo Fechado hopes to keep building his Capoeira classes while creating a strong Capoeira community in Long Beach and Orange County. He truly believes that anyone that can walk (and even some that can’t) can play Capoeira and benefit from the endless gifts the art has to offer.
Mestre Mariano Silva
Mariano Silva was born and raised in Salvador Bahia Brazil. Immersed in the culture, Mariano gained his passion for singing from listening to his mother sing in the kitchen. He began dancing and training capoeira at age 10 and founded his first academy at age 23. In 2001, he left Brazil to tour with the Ballet Folclorico Do Brazil. He settled in Santa Barbara to teach at the University of California and founded his second academy and community center. Mariano still travels to teach and perform internationally as a solo artist as well as with his performance groups.
Mestre Mariano Silva teaches academic courses in Capoeira at the University of California Santa Barbara and travels teaching workshops throughout the world. Mestre Mariano Silva’s academy, Capoeira Relampue is based in Santa Barbara California at the Brazilian Cultural Arts Center of Santa Barbara. Mestre Mariano Silva also leads Capoeira Relampue academies in Ventura, San Diego, San Luis Obispo and Brazil.
Mariano Silva is passionate about using art as a tool to bring people of diverse backgrounds together and build community. Since founding his first academy in 1997, Grupo de Angola Renascer, and today through the Brazilian Cultural Arts Center of Santa Barbara he founded in 2001, Mariano creates space for community members to discover themselves and support each other through cultural arts.