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OUR PROFESSORS

Ninja Pinto @ninja_pinto

Ninja Pinto @ninja_pinto

Kids and Adults Jiu Jitsu and Capoeira. Head Professor and Owner

From São Paulo Brazil, Professor Luis Felipe Ninja Pinto moved to the USA pursuing his dream to teach martial arts. Ninjas' goal is to transform lives using Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, Capoeira, and Muay Thai His students become mentally and physically stronger and much more self-confident. Ninja has been teaching since 2000 and has great experience with kids and competition training.

Felipe "Negro" Roberson-Torrech  @negroevolucao

Felipe "Negro" Roberson-Torrech @negroevolucao

Kids and Learners Mindset Capoeira and Bootcamp Fitness

Professor Negro has dedicated his life to being an athlete. Starting with Track and Field as a child, he was also a professional center fielder in Baseball. And then, dove into intense training for triathlons.
But, it was the spring of 2005 is when he first encountered Capoeira. After he stepped into his first Ginga, he knew he’d found his true athletic and professional calling. After studying Capoeira for a semester at a satellite school in Corpus Christi, he relocated to Austin and trained directly with Mestre Rodrigo and Capoeira Evolução. Negro has trained extensively with Contra Mestre Metido and Contra Mestre Pena. He’s also trained with various Mestres, Contra Mestres, Professores, and Instutores across the USA, Puerto Rico, and Brasil.
At the end of 2020, Negro moved to Kansas in partnership with Mestre Ninja to help re-energize the Capoeira community that suffered a toll during the pandemic. Today, he happily resides in Lenexa Kansas, where he teaches children and beginners Capoeira as well as Bootcamp fitness classes. He continues to live his dream through the art by promoting, growing, and expanding it, thus allowing its life-changing benefits to reach as many people as possible.

Albino Mendes @albinomendes

Albino Mendes @albinomendes

Bullet Proof Muay Thai and Jiu Jitsu

Professor Albino Mendes was born in Vila Velha Spain on November 23rd of 1980. He started training Muay Thai in 1995 and started teaching in 1999. In 2000 Albino began competing as an amateur, then Professionally in 2004. He has 36 Professional Muay Thai fights, with 28 victories and 8 losses. He's fought in two World Championships in Thailand, 2010 and 2014, for the W.M.F. and as an athlete for the Brazilian team for the Brazilian CBMT Brazilian Confederation of Muay Thai.

Morena Pinto @inst_morena

Morena Pinto @inst_morena

Women's Jiu Jitsu

From Minas Gerais-Brazil, Professor Morena is a mother of three, a business owner, a dancer, and a Martial Artist.
She is the head coach of our Womens' Jiu Jitsu program with great experience as a competitor.
Be ready to have fun and be challenged in her classes. No one is left behind and she is amazing with team cohesion.
Morena has taught seminars all over the US, Japan, Saint Martin, Mexico, and Brazil, and has won titles in various competitions

BJ "Chuva" Stringfield

BJ "Chuva" Stringfield

Adults Capoeira

Born and raised in Kansas City, MO. Professor Chuva started martial arts in 2008 with Capoeira, the first and only art he's trained.
Chuva became an Instructor in November 2014. Brazil Academy has been his only home for learning the art but he has traveled to many places around the country and even as far as Brazil to learn from some of the best teachers of Capoeira.
"I fell in love with the art from the beginning. Capoeira has given me so much! I have been exposed to new cultures, an innumerable amount of people, new friends, and a world of opportunities that I didn't know would come with being a part of this community. I am proud to be a part of Brazil Academy and I look forward to passing this beautiful art to many others for years to come!"

Christian "Franja" Hildago

Christian "Franja" Hildago

No Gi Jiu Jitsu

From New Jersey, Professor Christian was born into a family and social circles obsessed with martial arts. Growing up with Judo, Boxing, Wrestling, Jiu Jitsu, and other traditional martial arts, taught him to appreciate the value of earning competency in various martial arts as applications toward sports competition, self-defense, and personal development. After moving to Kansas, Christian met Ninja and started training Capoeira in 2002. He was soon traveling for sport and performance. When Ninja began teaching Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in 2007, Christian re-found his love for grappling martial arts. In 2014, he began teaching self-defense seminars; and in 2015 he began teaching BJJ classes and coaching students at tournaments, as well as refereeing at tournaments held by various organizations.
"I love experiencing the subtleties of higher-level technical application and helping others to also gain their own appreciation for the art and achievements."
Everyone has something to

Heath "Val" Chitwood

Heath "Val" Chitwood

Jiu Jitsu

From Olathe, KS. Professor Val moved back to the area in 2013 after spending 6 years with the United States Marine Corps and then 10 years as an overseas contractor with the government. He fell in love with Jiu Jitsu while traveling in Thailand in early 2013.
After several years of energizing studying and contemplation, Val has competed and won titles at Master Worlds, Europeans, American Nationals, and numerous other tournaments on a national and local level.
In 2020 He got his black belt "I'm proud to say I am the most OK'est Jiu Jitsu instructor at Brazil Academy. "
With his clear and concise instructions Val is amazing at teaching at any level.

Bruce Carvalho @brucecarvalho

Bruce Carvalho @brucecarvalho

Learners Mindset Muay Thai

Professor Bruce Carvalho is 35 years old and has a black degree in Muay Thai and a brown belt in Brazilan Jiu Jitsu. Bruce started training when he was 14 with Carlos Silva on the Chakurki team. At 18 he started fighting for the BCT team with Bruno Carvalho, his brother and coach.
He has 15 Muay Thai fights and 6 MMA. He has won various titles across Brazil in Muay Thai, and is a three-time champion of the Jungle Fight MMA Championship.
"I'm always looking for evolution and the chance to train with the best. Today with great joy I am working as a coach at the best Academy in Kansas, Brazil Academy."

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