Mestre Lazaro Santos

Mestre Lazaro was born in Bahia, Brazil and has developed a unique style of teaching, forged through his experience and dedication to the art of Capoeira. As many Capoeiristas in Bahia, Mestre Lazaro started his training at an early age. He was taught by Mestre Dinho of Grupo Internacional de Capoeira Topazio. He persevered and was given the respected title of Mestre (Master of Capoeira). He then found himself traveling the world, demonstrating Capoeira to a larger audience. Mestre Lazaro founded Capoeira Brazilian Pelourinho in 1995 and it has grown exponentially since its inception. He is a well-known and respected master of the art of Capoeira. Mestre Lazaro finds great pleasure in teaching Capoeira and giving back to the community in any way he can.

Formado Scooby Doo

As one of Mestre Lazaro’s first students, Scooby Doo began practicing Capoeira in 1995. He found himself hooked on Capoeira from his very first class. He knew then that he would make Capoeira his life. Through many years of trial, attempt, improvement and achievement, Scooby Doo has realized that Capoeira is not just something he does; it’s a part of who he is. At only 14 or 15 years old, he learned to think more and fight less.  Since then, Capoeira has trickled into every aspect of his life. In art, in “war,” and philosophy, Capoeira and the teachings of his Mestre have shaped him into a man he believes his mother would be proud of and that means the world to him. Through Capoeira, he has grown in confidence, found his own spirituality, and been given the opportunity to travel the world. In 2005, Scooby Doo earned his blue cord and has continued to learn from Mestre Lazaro and is now teaching others his passion for Capoeira.

Formada Paraiba

Jessica Ortiz was born in New York City and moved to Orlando in 1994. She currently attends the University of South Florida as she pursues a career in medicine. Throughout her life she has been fascinated with martial arts. She took a trip to San Francisco to visit a friend and was introduced to the art of Capoeira. She instantly fell in love with it but didn’t know of anyone teaching it in Orlando. Later while at Valencia Community College, she saw two capoeiristas playing and asked them where they trained. They took her to Mestre Lazaro’s academy and Capoeira has been a major part of her life since. When asked how she feels about Capoeira, she explains that it has changed her life, made her a better person, Increased her ability to focus and helped her kick bad habits. Capoeira will always be a part of her life and Mestre Lazaro has become like a father to her. In 2005, Paraiba became Mestre Lazaro’s first female Formada and she now plans to finish school and later open her own academy.

Formado Heavymetal

Brian Schmidt was born and raised in Orlando Florida. At the age of thirteen he began his martial arts training in Tang Soo Do. Two years later he discovered Capoeira, where he was given his nickname, “Heavymetal”. Now after 9 years of training he is a second degree black belt in Tang Soo Do and a Formado in Capoeira. In addition to learning the techniques and traditions of these arts,  Heavymetal firmly believes that his training has made him a stronger, wiser and more compassionate person.  As an intructor of both Tang Soo Do and Capoeira, he hopes to share the same positive and life changing experiences with his students.