-Formado Folclore
Orlando, FL
       Folclore knew from a very early age that he wanted to learn martial arts but was not given the opportunity until he was 19 years old. He began learning very traditional and challenging Shotokan Karate and Kickboxing. He studied these forms for 2 years, advanced 3 belt levels and won both of his kickboxing ring fights. Unfortunately due to unforeseen circumstances, the school he was attending had to close. About a year later, he met a friend who had just begun Capoeira. His friend showed him what he had been learning in his 2 months of Capoeira and Folclore thought the ginga was ridiculous and silly so he challenged his friend to spar. Simply put, Folclore ended up with a black eye and a bruised pride. He immediately began pursuing Capoeira.

       Capoeira filled a void in his life that had been empty since his Karate school closed. He appreciates the art’s ability to look graceful and agile while simultaneously being an effective martial art. Now he is doing things he never thought he would be capable of. Capoeira has opened doors and opportunities that would not have otherwise been available to him.

     In January 2006, he helped to establish the first Capoeira Club at the University of Central Florida. Later that year, through hard work and determination he was graduated to the rank of Formado. March 10, 2007, Formado Folclore opened his first academy in East Orlando, joining Capoeira Guerreiros in 2008. He is committed to growing Capoeira and looks forward to passing this art on to others, especially his daughter and two sons.

-Contra Mestre Palmares
NY/NJ
       George Carneiro, also known as "Palmares", was born in Boca do Rio, Bahia, Brasil. At the age of seven, he began his capoeira training with Mestre Indio. Eight years later he met Mestre Valdir Axé, who introduced George to the group, Angola Palmares. Soon after he joined the group he began his intense training with Mestre Lazaro who he trained with for many years.

       In 1997, George began to teach in Salvador, Bahia in several schools including those for children with special needs. In 2001, George began his journey from Brasil to the United States to teach at the University of Bridgeport in Connecticut. A year later he moved to New York City where he began performing and teaching workshops to various capoeira groups around the U.S. He has performed for Nike, Nego Gato, S.O.B.'s, Ballet Folklorico do Brazil, and Oba Oba Afro-Brazilian Dance Company, to name a few. In 2003, he moved to western Florida where he taught for a year and a half before returning to NYC. In August of 2007 he united with Mestre Leo Corcorã of Bahia, and formed the group Capoeira Guerreiros. 

     Currently, his group includes students training at Columbia University in NYC, Rutgers University of Newark, NJ and the International Dance Academy, also located in Newark. He continues to perform and spread the knowledge of not only his culture, but also a beautiful art form.