Ilana Queiroz has been teaching Capoeira since the year 1999, not only in the United States but also in Europe and South America. Ilana is a trained Anthropologist and has a degree in Social work. With a profound interest in culture, Ilana uses Capoeira as a tool to bring nurture, an open mindset, culture consciousness, and sensibility in the schools. Ilana comes from a 3 generation family of teachers, she is a mother, speaks four languages, and is a professional percussionist and a dancer.
Capoeira is a Brazilian Art form with indigenous and African influence. It mixes dance, music, movement, martial arts, and acrobatic movements. Capoeira has approximately 500 years old, and it has a lot of history embedded in the lyric of the songs. Through this Art, Kids learn about history, geography, and language, since students sing in Portuguese. The orchestra of Capoeira has a few instruments involved, and in-class students learn about those instruments’ history, techniques, and patterns. Capoeira stimulates rhythm, coordination, teamwork, courage, and an open mindset. Children learn while having fun! My intention as a facilitator is to plant the seed of curiosity in every child’s heart while nurturing body consciousness, physical education, musicality, coordination, teamwork, partnership, and a growth mindset.