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Silvio Dos Reis

Silvio Dos Reis is a Master lever teacher of CapoeiraAngola, know to his students as Mestre Silvinho. He started the practice of Capoeira in his hometown of Belo Horizonte, Brasil in 1986. He moved to Seattle in 2004 to direct the branch of International Capoeira Angola. Since then, he has been teaching ongoing Capoeira classes at the Union Cultural Center, organizing international conferences, teaching summer camps, and teaching credit classes at University of Washington, Evergreen State College, and Western Washington University. He sees Capoeira as a powerful tool for education, cultivate self-esteem, and develop our critical view of the world.Capoeira promotes interpersonal and social healing through the learning of its fundamentals such as movements, music, history, and philosophy.

Staff

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Silvio Dos Reis

Artistic Director

Mestre Silvinho, a Capoeira Angola master from Belo Horizonte, has taught in Seattle since 2004. He leads classes, camps, and conferences, using Capoeira for education, healing, and empowerment.

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Leika Suzumura

Program Director

Leika Suzumura is a community nutrition educator in South Seattle. Rooted in cultural tradition, she uplifts health through food, shared meals, and community-based nutrition education.

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Teaching Artist

Manimou Camara, a master drummer and dancer from Guinea, is founder of Seattle’s Dounia Djembe. Trained with top artists, he shares Guinean music and dance through global workshops and performances.

Manimou Camara

Teaching Artist

Manimou Camara, a master drummer and dancer from Guinea, is founder of Seattle’s Dounia Djembe. Trained with top artists, he shares Guinean music and dance through global workshops and performances.

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Mestre Silvinho has practiced Capoeira Angola for over 30 years. Based in Seattle, he leads ICAF Seattle and supports study groups across the Pacific Northwest, sharing capoeira’s rich legacy and philosophy.

Mestre Silvinho

Teaching Artist

Mestre Silvinho has practiced Capoeira Angola for over 30 years. Based in Seattle, he leads ICAF Seattle and supports study groups across the Pacific Northwest, sharing capoeira’s rich legacy and philosophy.

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Deise Costa, 2022 USA Samba Queen and winner of Adriana Lima’s 2023 contest, is a Brazilian dancer and teacher in Seattle. She uses Brazilian dance to inspire healing, empowerment, and self-discovery.

Deise Costa

Teaching Artist

Deise Costa, 2022 USA Samba Queen and winner of Adriana Lima’s 2023 contest, is a Brazilian dancer and teacher in Seattle. She uses Brazilian dance to inspire healing, empowerment, and self-discovery.

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Darren Lam has trained in Wing Chun (Wong Shun Leung lineage) for 6+ years and now teaches in Washington. He aims to build a strong Wing Chun community in Seattle.

Darren Lam

Teaching Artist

Darren Lam has trained in Wing Chun (Wong Shun Leung lineage) for 6+ years and now teaches in Washington. He aims to build a strong Wing Chun community in Seattle.

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Board Members

Jabali Stewart

Board Member

Dr. Jabali Stewart is an inclusion specialist and Circle Keeper, using Peacemaking Circles to foster cultural change in schools, communities, and institutions through love-based leadership.

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Deepa Iyer

Board Member

Deepa, co-founder of Ayeko Farm, has 20+ years in food systems education. She grows culturally rooted crops to help BIPOC communities reconnect with land, culture, ancestors, and home.

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Iris Viveros

Board Member

Dr. Iris C. Viveros Avendaño is a Mexican scholar focused on feminist, decolonial studies of violence and power. She explores fandango and music as practices of resistance, healing, and knowledge-sharing.

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Sandra Amolo

Board Member

Sandra, born in Nairobi, is a multilingual Black immigrant with 10+ years in nonprofits. She helps organizations reimagine strategy, culture, and leadership through coaching, facilitation, and partnership.

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