United Capoeira Association
Shared roots.
A living community.
Meet the founders and teachers who connect Tucson Capoeira to a wider tradition of movement, music, and cultural learning.
The UCA brings teachers and students together through shared values while respecting each school’s identity. Its community welcomes different approaches to Capoeira and honors the collective work that keeps the art growing.
The foundation · Capoeira Regional
Mestre Bimba
Manoel dos Reis Machado, Mestre Bimba, developed Capoeira Regional in Salvador, Bahia. His teaching shaped generations of capoeiristas, including his student Mestre Acordeon.
That connection is part of the history we carry into the roda. Exploring our lineage helps us understand the people behind the practice—and the responsibility of passing it forward.
Explore Bimba’s legacy →The founding mestres
Three founders. A shared commitment.
Mestre Acordeon, Mestre Rã, and Mestra Suelly are the founders of the United Capoeira Association.
UCA founder
Mestre Acordeon
A student of Mestre Bimba, Acordeon is a teacher, musician, author, and historian who helped introduce Capoeira to the western United States in the late 1970s.
UCA founder
Mestre Rã
Mestre Rã has trained with multiple Brazilian mestres and taught and performed internationally. His experience contributes to the UCA’s shared cultural and teaching tradition.
UCA founder
Mestra Suelly
Mestra Suelly began training in 1982 among Acordeon’s early U.S. students. Her work has helped broaden awareness of Capoeira and the place of women within the art.
What we carry into the roda
A connection that lives in practice.
Respect the roots
Take time to learn the history, listen to teachers, and understand the cultural context of the art.
Participate fully
Movement, music, and attention all matter. Every person has a role in creating the energy of the circle.
Grow together
Bring curiosity to your own training and encouragement to the people learning beside you.
From teacher to student
Our Tucson connection
Within the wider UCA community, our direct teaching lineage runs from Bimba through Acordeon and Dondi to Besouro.
Tucson founder
Mestre Dondi “Enxu”
Dondi founded Capoeira Malandragem in Tucson and became Besouro’s teacher and mentor.
Meet our Tucson founder →
Head instructor · Tucson
Mestre Besouro
Bryan “Besouro” Castle began in 1998 and received Mestre de Primeiro Grau in December 2022. He leads Tucson Capoeira UCA at Culture Connects Studio.
Meet Mestre Besouro →