The head instructor at the New York Capoeira Center is Mestre Ombrinho (Master Michael Goldstein). With over 31 years practicing capoeira and over 24 years experience teaching, he is the first North American Capoeira Master. He is renown for making the art of Capoeira accessible to people of all ages and abilities.
He began studying Capoeira in 1981 with Mestre Acordeon and Mestre Jelon, the two world recognized masters who brought capoeira to the United States. He made his first trip to Brazil in 1985 where he trained with many legendary masters, young and old. Having trained many capoeira styles including Regional, emphasizing fighting aspects, and Angola, Mestre Ombrinho was drawn to the more grounded, internal style of Capoeira Angola.
In 1987, he became a disciple of Grand Master Norival Moreira de Oliveira, Mestre No, of Bahia, Brazil. Mestre No, known as the Master of Masters, has been practicing and teaching for over 60 years. Ombrinho received his master’s diploma in 1996, under the authority of Grand Master No.
He has been teaching in New York since 1988. He has organized International Capoeira encounters in New York and Bahia, Brazil. He has graduated many fine practitioners and instructors, both men and women. He speaks fluent Portuguese and leads tours of Capoeira centers in Brazil.