Mestre Marcelo Caveirinha 

Mestre Marcelo is famous worldwide for his contribution to the creation one of the most favourite video game characters of all times, Eddy Gordo, who features Capoeira in the video game Tekken 3.

Mestre is the founder of The Capoeira Institute, a non‐profit component aimed at “facilitat[ing] and promot[ing] the education of the general public about Capoeira and the many other diverse aspects of Brazilian culture such as dances, arts, folklore, games, customs and rituals.” The institute fulfills its mandate by “promot[ing] cultural exchange between the United States, Brazil and other countries emphasizing both the creation of opportunities in Capoeira as well as developing an understanding of Capoeira and other Brazilian related activities for the underserved segments of society, especially disadvantaged youth.”

Mestre Marcelo Pereira was born in São Paulo in 1959. He was introduced to Capoeira on the streets and at age 14 was referred to one of the most famous masters, Mestre Suassuna, co‐founder of “Associação  de Capoeira Cordão de Ouro,” known today as CDO. Mestre Marcelo obtained the grade of Mestre under pupillage of Mestre Suassuna and has since been teaching Capoeira and promoting Brazilian culture at an international level. 

In 1984 he settled in Oakland where he founded his school, Associação de Capoeira Senzala Grande, as one of only three practitioners teaching Capoeira in the United States. His school became formally known as Capoeira Mandinga in 1995.