Contra-Mestre Fabinho Cuencas

Contra-Mestre Fabinho Cuencas has been practicing the afro Brazilian art-form Capoeira for over 20 years. His training began in the north-eastern city of Recife in 1986 under the leadership of Mestre Corisco, who has developed the art form in Recife for over three decades. Contra-Mestre Fabinho Cuencas began his work teaching Capoeira in 1997 in Recife as a professor. Throughout that time he has participated in many events, festivals, and batizados across Brazil, Europe, and Canada . After arriving in Canada in 1999, his work has not only included developing an expanding school of Capoeira, but also working closely with community groups with the goal of enriching the culture of the communities with which he has been involved. Through fundraising at the community level, he has made it possible to bring different Mestres of the art-form from Brazil and abroad to give workshops, and attend annual events enriching the students' level of understanding and proficiency in the art. The group Dende do Recife was created by Contra-Mestre Fabinho Cuencas and Contra-Mestre Azeitona both of whom are committed to educate and pass on their wide array of knowledge of Capoeira and its culture in Ottawa and Halifax, where they are based, as well as across Canada. Although Contra-Mestre Fabinho Cuencas still sees Capoeira in Canada as being young and new to this part of the world, he sees much potential for the growth and expansion of this art-form.