From northern Brazil to London, via Santos

The masters of the London School of Capoeira, Mestre Silvia and Mestre Marcos were blessed with the teaching of master Sombra of the Association of Capoeira in Santos, São Paulo, Brasil.

Mestre Sombra, Roberto Teles de Oliveira was born on 6th February 1941 in Santa Rosa de Lima, Sergipe, Brasil. In 1962, Mestre Sombra emigrated to Santos in São Paulo and in 1963 joined a group of Capoeiristas called Bahia do Berimbau led by Mestre Olimpio Bispo dos Santos who was also from the northeast, the estate of Bahia.

The Group Bahia do Berimbau practiced Capoeira in Itapema, Vicente de Carvalho, Guarujá, São Paulo Brasil – a neighbouring town.

After the passing of Mestre Bispo in 1972, Mestre Sombra initiated his independent teaching at his newly formed school Senzala, which for the first two years was called Zumbi. The Association of Capoeira Senzala was therefore officially registered in 1974.

In 1975, the Association of Capoeira Senzala moved to 227 Bras Cubas Road, Santos, São Paulo where it is currently based.

Master Sombra’s work with Capoeira and African Brazilian culture has been extensive. He is a recognised and respected Capoeira master within the Capoeira community. He has taught and formed hundreds of qualified Instructors and Masters who are today working with Capoeira in Brasil and abroad. Mestre Marcos and Mestre Silvia of the London School of Capoeira Herança are examples of the amazing teaching, which Mestre Sombra has generously provided to Capoeiristas over the last 50 years.

He created a beautiful style of Capoeira based on individuality – all students were able to develop and improve their own style based on the technique taught at Master Sombra’s school. The style played by his disciples is called Capoeira from Senzala of Santos.

The founding of the London School of Capoeira Herança

Master Silvia Bazzarelli came to London as a visitor at the end of 1986 and formally opened the London School of Capoeira in 1988 as the first established Capoeira School in the United Kingdom.
Master Marcos dos Santos came to London in 1991 and joined the London School of Capoeira in March 1992, working together with Master Silvia.

Master Silvia’s humble and difficult beginnings in London were a challenge. With very little English, Master Silvia was an artist trying to maintain her cultural link with Brasil via her passion for Capoeira. “It wasn’t easy, but no different to any other estrangeira trying to make a positive mark on a foreign land.

Before running a full time base for Capoeira in Highbury Grove, in North London from 1991-1994, she first hired dance studios to teach Capoeira regularly. Some of the venues would include the Brazilian Contemporary Arts, the Holborn Centre (Holborn, London), the Drill Hall (today know as RADA), and the Tabernacle Centre (Notting Hill, London). From 1992, running the school with Master Marcos, they taught at THE PLACE (Euston, London) and at the Primrose Hill Community Centre (Primrose Hill, London). In 2000, Master Silvia and Master Marcos moved to the base in Finsbury Park where the LSCH is currently based.

Master Silvia began training Capoeira in 1981-82 after studying dance for 9 years. Her Capoeira training started with Mestre Cicero Tatu (at the time cordão azul - Instructor) and Mestre Beija-Flor at the Movimentos Capoeira School - a branch of Senzala Academy during the early eighties. She continued her training with Mestre Beija-Flor (at the time a Contra Mestre) and later joined the Senzala school under the direction of Mestre Sombra. At Senzala, Mestre Silvia trained intensely during the years prior to traveling to London and obtained teaching experience by assisting Mestre Sombra during lessons for new capoeiristas. After her return from London to Brasil in 1988, Mestre Sombra awarded Mestre Silvia with the Blue Belt, the instructor belt at the time - a ceremony which took place at the Senzala Academy.

Mestre Silvia received from her Capoeira Master (Mestre Sombra), the Contra Mestre belt at the Drill Hall, Central London in 1989 and the Master Belt in 1994 at the Jackson’s Lane Theatre, North London.

Her Capoeira development and training in Brasil and in London were always guided by Mestre Sombra of the Association of Capoeira Senzala.

During the last 3 decades, Mestre Silvia’s training, development and dedication to Capoeira were uninterrupted - teaching, performing, choreographing, directing, creating opportunity for other Capoeiristas and Masters and always promoting Capoeira to best of her ability.

Master Marcos dos Santos
Master Marcos’s family moved from the northeast to the southeast of Brasil in the early eighties. His first contact with Capoeira was informally outside his house playing with friends on the street from the age of 8. When his family moved from Natal to Santos, Mestre Marcos who was a young boy visited the Senzala Academy and asked Mestre Sombra if he could join the training formally. Master Sombra welcomed Master Marcos and his development and career began from then on. Master Marcos began his training at Senzala between 1983-84.

During his training at the Senzala Academy, Mestre Marcos was known by his peers for his dedication, training for hours on end, practicing extremely complicated movements to perfection and outwitting players in the game. Inspired by older generations, Master Marcos absorbed the essence of the Senzala Academy during early years - a style full of strength and grace, modesty and respect.

After receiving the Blue belt (Instructor), Master Marcos began teaching children at the Valongo, a Community Centre for children and at the Corpo and Cia Capoeira School, in Praia Grande, São Paulo.

Master Marcos participated in Capoeira competitions, demonstrations and cultural performances with the Senzala Academy prior to coming to London.

In 1991, Mestre Marcos was invited by Master Silvia to join the London School of Capoeira Herança.

In 1995, Mestre Marcos was awarded the Contra Mestre Belt by Master Sombra during the Batizado at the Jacksons Lane Theatre.

In 2006, Mestre Marcos was awarded the Master Belt by Master Sombra during the Batizado at the Riverside Studios, West London.