The head instructor at New York Capoeira Angola Quintal is Master Michael Goldstein. Known in the capoeira world as Mestre Ombrinho, he is famous for making the art of Capoeira accessible to people of all ages and abilities. He has taught Capoeira throughout the United States, Brazil, Europe, and Israel and lead workshops at colleges and universities including Sarah Lawrence, Harvard, Columbia, Swarthmore, Yale, John Hopkins, Drew, Rutgers, The New School among others. He began studying Capoeira in 1981 with Mestre Acordeon and Mestre Jelon, the two world renown masters who brought capoeira to the United States. He made his first trip to Brazil in 1985 where he trained with many legendary masters, young and old. Having trained Regional, Angola, and many styles in between, Mestre Ombrinho was drawn to the more grounded, traditional style of Capoeira, Angola. He took classes with Mestre Joao Pequeno, Mestre Joao Grande, Mestre Bobo, Mestre Ferreirinha of Santo Amaro, Mestre Boca Rica. He attended events with Mestre Valdemar and Mestre Canjiquinha. He also studied music with Mestre Bigodinho, the most knowledgable elder master regards musical traditions and singing in Capoeira. In 1987, he became a disciple of Grand Master No of Bahia and joined Capoeira Angola Palmares. Mestre No, known as the master of masters, has produced the greatest quality and quantity of Capoeira Angola masters in Brazil. Ombrinho became a master in 1996 under Mestre No. He has been teaching in New York since 1988. In 2002, he formed his own group, Capoeira Angola Quintal. He has organized International Capoeira encounters in New York and Bahia, Brazil. He has graduated many fine practitioners and instructors, both men and women. He speaks fluent Portuguese and leads tours of Capoeira Angola centers in Brazil. What is Capoeira Angola? Capoeira came to Brazil when slaves were brought from Angola in Africa during the mid 1500s. How capoeira was used depended on the situation. Under the watchful eye of the slave owner, capoeira appeared as a harmless dance. Many Africans slaves escaped bondage, hid in the backlands of Brazil and formed free communities called quilombos. Here, thousands of Africans and people of mixed backgrounds lived as free citizens. Portuguese and Dutch armies were sent to destroy these defiant cities. For almost one hundred years, they were successful in fighting off the invading armies. When slavery was finally abolished in Brazil in 1888, African Brazilians moved to the towns andcities bringing with them their culture and traditions. Capoeira survived in the poorer neighborhoods despite persecution from police. In the early 20th century, the first capoeira academies were opened. From a guarded tradition passed from the elder master to the young disciple, capoeira has become an art form for people of all ages and backgrounds. Capoeira Angola is the traditional form of capoeira that emphasizes wisdom over force, strategy over speed. It is said that capoeiristas are like chameleons, blending and adapting to their environment. The best capoeiristas appear calm when they play. Their game flows without resistance, defies gravity, and at the right moment, they strike.