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(Professor Borrahca doesn't live in St. Louis
but visits and keeps in contact to supervise the work and
progress of Capoeira St.
Louis.)
Borracha
(Wellington Porto) was born in Bahia, Brasil. He began his
Capoeira training with Jelon Vieira, renowned Capoeira master and
dance choreographer, at the Capoeira Academy, in Boco do Rio, at the
age of thirteen. Borracha started performing with The
Capoeiras of Bahia, a dance company for teenagers, directed by Jelon
Vieira. With The Capoeiras of Bahia he performed in Brasil and
participated in several exchange programs with the Capoeira
Foundation, Inc. in the United States. While in the United
States, he performed and participated in demonstrations. He
also lectured and taught in college, public, and private
schools. Borracha made a special appearance at the Camai Arts
Festival in Bethel, Alaska. In 1997, he joined
DanceBrazil as an apprentice. One year later, he became one of
the principal members of DanceBrazil. With DanceBrazil, he has
toured throughout the United States and has performed in many
important venues such as: City Center, New York City; The Joyce
Theater, New York City; Lincoln Center, New York City; Kennedy
Center, Washington, DC. Borracha was featured in “The Egg,” a
program produced and aired by PBS. He also participated in the
New Millennium Celebration in Times Square on December 31, 1999,
with DanceBrazil. Borracha performed Capoeira in Nike’s
showing in San Francisco to promote their
merchandise. Borracha has also traveled to many cities
throughout the United States giving workshops on the art of
Capoeira.
Currently, he is instructing classes in Gainesville,
FL
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