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| Contra-Mestre Pererê Contra Mestre Pererê (who goes by the name Eric Johnson) started Capoeira in Seattle, Washington in 1989. He graduated to Instructor in 1995. To continue his connection and instruction in Capoeira Angola, Pererê sought out and was accepted as a student by one of the best known and well respected masters of the art: Mestre Nô. Capoeira Angola Palmares soon began to flourish in Seattle and Pererê was acknowledged as a professor by mestre Nô for his dedication to his students and diligent commitment to his own studies in Capoeira. In 1999 Pererê was graduated to Contra Mestre by Mestre Nô, with mestre Ombrinho of Capoeira Angola Palmares - New York, and mestre Naldinho of Capoeira Angola Palmares in Joao Pessoa, Paraiba, Brazil in attendence. Pererê makes semi-regular trips to Brazil in order to deepen his understanding of Afro-Brazilian culture, and to hone his Capoeira skills by playing with (and thus learning from) Brazilian Capoeira adepts and students of all levels. Eric is a professional stunt performer, and one of the primary instructors for the International Stunt School help by the United Stuntman's Association. At the Stunt School he teaches to students from around the world the skills that he specializes in as a stuntman: martial arts, acrobatics and tumbling skills, high falls, and fire stunts. Aside his dedication to teaching Capoeira Angola to his students, having himself lit on fire, and jumping off buildings, Contra Mestre Pererê also runs Spirit Tool Percussion. At his Seattle workshop he makes gungas (berimbaus), caxixi (basket rattles), and other Capoeira musical instruments for Capoeira players and percussionists across the coutry that requires high quality handcrafted materials. Pererê has learned the art of craft of berimbau making from several skilled masters of craftsmen from Brazil, and continuously works to develop his skills and products. For more inform refer to the Capoeira Angola Palmares de Seatlle webpage. http://www.geocities.com/palmares_seattle/ (picture and text courtesy of Capoeira Angola Palmares de Seattle) |