Mestre Barrão, Founder of Grupo Axé Capoeira

Marcos da Silva, Mestre Barrão, was born in the port city of Recife, on the Northeast coast of Brazil. In 1974, Marcos began studying Capoeira with Mestre Pirajá. After three years of training with Mestre Pirajá, whom had eventually left on sabbatical, Marcos went on in 1977 to continue his training with Mestre Teté. Here, Mestre Teté shared with him the ways of the Street Capoeirista: to be shrewd and clever when playing, how to read opponents, and how to judge situations that one invariably finds oneself in, both inside and outside of the Roda of Capoeira.

In 1979, he began to enter Capoeira competitions throughout Northeast Brazil and in 1980, Marcos began to teach. In 1982, he entered the prestigious National Championship in Rio de Janeiro. Such was his skill and fortune that in the end, he left as Brazilian Champion. Upon his return, many opportunities came his way to teach in schools, community centers, and universities throughout Brazil and eventually formed Grupo Axé Capoeira. In 1988, he was graduated to First Degree Master by Mestre Pirajá.

In 1990, Mestre Barrão was invited to demonstrate his art at the International Children's Festivals throughout North America and eventually found himself in Canada at the Vancouver International Children's Festival. He decided to immigrate to Canada, begin teaching, and launched The Annual International Capoeira Encounter during which renowned and respected Mestres from all over the world visit and share their skills. By 1996, he opened Canada's first Academy of Capoeira.

Today, Mestre Barrão, having now received his Second Degree Master after twelve years, is continuously invited to conduct and teach Capoeira workshops all over the world. Places like the U.S.A., Australia, Germany, Switzerland, Italy, Portugal, France, Russia, and more, have embraced him as one of today's great Mestres.