Schools and Communities
Introducing Mindful Capoeira to thousands of youth each year.
All audiences have been inspired by Afro Brazil Arts’ Mindful Capoeira programs, including children, adults, college students, families, seniors, incarcerated youth, and people with special needs.
Mindful Capoeira Academy in a School is our featured multi-year program serving the entire school community, going beyond arts exposure to engage arts mastery.
Afro Brazil Arts is a New York City Department of Education-approved vendor. We are proud to meet all of the standards of the Department’s Blueprint for the Arts.
Feedback
“My class never had a more wonderful educational experience. The children approach the auditorium with such enthusiasm and leave feeling proud of their accomplishments, eager for more.”
“The importance of capoeira, a non-violent martial arts alternative, is a concept which holds true value for our young people in today’s troubled times.”
“The importance of capoeira, a non-violent martial arts alternative, is a concept which holds true value for our young people in today’s troubled times.”
“This program should be in every school in every grade because it addresses students’ needs and academic achievement in such a comprehensive way.”
“We at the M.O.T.C., a special education school for mentally retarded adolescents, have been most appreciative of your arts and cultural program. Aside from the magnificent and exciting performances and workshops, our students developed skills that could help them both in the work place in their private lives.”
Videos
Teen Testimonials & Capoeira Demonstration
Our 2019 annual showcase features an amazing trio of our youth leaders who excelled in classes at our academy, taught younger children & beginners, participated in performances and school programs around NYC.
School Assembly Performance
The Afro Brazil Arts troupe thrills audiences of all ages and backgrounds, featuring Capoiera, Maculelê (warrior stick dance), traditional instruments and rhythms, all in a cultural context with audience participation.
Recent Programs
LES Girls Prep School Capoeira Program
In May and June of 2014, The Lower East Side Girls Preparatory School (LES Girls Prep) hosted a month-long capoeira residency with Afro Brazil Arts, culminating in a performance with all seven five 3rd grade girls before their peers, parents, and teachers.
The LES Girls Prep has been bringing their 3rd grade classes to CAQ Academy for 2 consecutive years to experience capoeira in the academy.
P.S. 11 Mindful Capoeira After School
For nearly three decades, Afro Brazil Arts has run a weekly 1.5 hour after-school class for kids in grades K-5 at PS 11, an elementary school in Chelsea.
“Capoeira is about self-discipline. We felt that even at the very beginning. Some of our most at-risk kids, kids who had the hardest time focusing and the hardest time paying attention at school, did really well in the program because of the structure and the focus on being responsible and following directions. It’s always been great with kids who need that sort of focus.”
- Debbie Osborne, Director, P.S. 11 After School Program
I.S. 77 Annual Performances
Joe Miller, the Principal of IS 77, a middle school in Ridgewood, Queens, has welcomed Afro Brazil Arts to his school for over 20 consecutive years.
“The presentation stresses discipline, and that’s what we talk about with our kids. We see that carried out with the way the performers go about their jobs.”
“Our school is predominantly Latino, and the boys and girls learn something that’s different and totally new about the history of slaves in Brazil. Learning about the struggle of the Brazilian slaves motivates them to overcome the obstacles they face themselves.”
-Joe Miller, Principal, I.S. 77