Our Story
Gunga do Vale was founded to bring the art of Capoeira to Western Massachusetts through an independent, welcoming academy. We believe Capoeira is more than a martial art—it’s a path to physical wellbeing, personal growth, and deep community connection, all staged within the playfully adversarial dialogue of the jogo (game).
As an independent academy, we welcome Capoeiristas from all styles and lineages to come play, sing, and learn with us. Our approach emphasizes non-violence, inclusivity, and the rich cultural traditions that make Capoeira unique.
Our Instructors
Professor Bicicleta
Born in Rio de Janeiro and raised in the midwest of the USA, Professor Bicicleta has been a lifelong martial artist. After moving to the east coast over 20 years ago, he became fully committed to the art of Capoeira as a way to reconnect with his Brazilian roots. In Capoeira, he discovered an art form that develops physical wellbeing, promotes personal growth and emotional well-being, and fosters close connections and community.
His formative years in Capoeira were spent learning from Mestre Calango of Lowell, MA, under whose guidance he became a “Monitor” (graduated student). After relocating to Western Massachusetts, he founded Gunga do Vale to continue training and create an independent academy promoting non-violent, inclusive Capoeira in the local community.
In 2025, Professor Bicicleta was certified by Mestre Itapua Beiramar as a Professor of Capoeira and as a Professor of Beiramar’s Organic Flow method. Gunga do Vale remains an independent academy, welcoming Capoeiristas from all styles and lineages.
Vamos vadiar!
Professora Trança
Introduced to Capoeira as a child in Oregon, Trança began her formal training in 2013 with Mestre Pedro Cruz. She later moved to Massachusetts, joining a Northampton group where she met her partner, Bicicleta. Her teaching philosophy, shaped by her background in early childhood education, emphasizes belonging, creative expression, and autonomy.
She deepens her practice through cultural immersion in Bahia, Brazil, and regular training with Mestre Itapua Beiramar, whose non-oppressive hierarchy aligns with her values. In December 2025, she received the title of Professora de Capoeira from Beiramar.
Trança now teaches weekly children’s classes and outdoor camps, integrating anatomy and nervous system awareness into her instruction. Her notable contributions include organizing workshops with Brazilian masters and performing in productions like The Quilombo Experience.
Instrutor Ligeirinho
Ligeirinho was born in Albania and raised in the United States. He fell in love with Capoeira and it is hard for him to not bring it up in conversation. Ligeirinho is a special education teacher by trade and loves to bring his passion of teaching to class each and every day. He also uses capoeira as a form of movement to help students with disabilities to process and remain engaged in the classroom. He has said that capoeira is not something that he wants to do, it’s something he needs to do to feed his soul.
Ligeirinho teaches the adult capoeira conditioning classes, along with providing assistance and co-teaching with other instructors. He brings in his experience of teaching all learners at various levels to learn, take risks, make mistakes, and grow through differentiation and modification of capoeira to reach each student at their level. Ligeirinho enjoys pushing his students and fellow capoeiristas to achieve their goals and grow.
Our Philosophy
Capoeira is a celebration of Life.
To master it is to become a playful warrior,
a musician-philosopher,
and a Guardian of Joy.
Survival of the soul is the capacity for joy and peace against all odds. Capoeira is the methodology and the expression of this.
Tradition means to bring the past into the present. Like a Capoeirista, it adapts to survive, blooming differently in each community the seed is planted.
The Roda is Community, and the ultimate expression of this fact: we cannot do this life alone.
Quando entro numa roda
Sinto a energia ancestral
O axé que me arrepia
Vem do toque do Berimbau
Movimento vem da alma
De dentro do coração
Capoeira sua linda
Você é minha paixão
A Capoeira é meu amor…
A Capoeira é meu amor…