Mestre Jelon Viera
Mestre Jelon Vieira is the Founder and Artistic Director of Capoeira Foundation and
DanceBrazil. He has earned much acclaim as a broadly talented choreographer, and a world
renowned master and teacher of capoeira. Born in Bahia, Brazil, Mr. Vieira studied
capoeira with the famous Mestres Bimba, Eziquiel, and Bobo.
Since his arrival in the US in 1975, Mr. Vieira has catalyzed the growing interest in and understanding of Brazilian culture while simultaneously developing his own choreographic style that blends tradition Afro-Brazilian dance and North American modern dance. In 1976 he formed the Capoeiras of Bahia with Loremil Machado. Then, in 1977, Mr. Vieira founded DanceBrazil, and for the last 20 years has guided the company through breathtaking performances of capoeira and Afro-Brazilian dance.
Since his arrival in the US in 1975, Mr. Vieira has catalyzed the growing interest in and understanding of Brazilian culture while simultaneously developing his own choreographic style that blends tradition Afro-Brazilian dance and North American modern dance. In 1976 he formed the Capoeiras of Bahia with Loremil Machado. Then, in 1977, Mr. Vieira founded DanceBrazil, and for the last 20 years has guided the company through breathtaking performances of capoeira and Afro-Brazilian dance.