Instrutor Gafanhoto is a capoeirista with over 30 years of involvement in Abadá-Capoeira and a long-time student of Mestra Márcia. In 2025, he received the Instrutor Baobá graduation at the World Capoeira Games in Rio de Janeiro, a recognition honoring capoeiristas over 45 who have made sustained contributions to the art. He has trained, taught, and participated in events across Brazil, Europe, and the United States, composed award-winning capoeira songs, and is actively involved in educational programs and children’s classes with Abadá-SF.

Alongside capoeira, Thad is a political science professor at UC Berkeley whose academic work focuses on Brazilian history, politics, and historical memory, including research on capoeira and freedom suits in nineteenth-century Brazil. He views capoeira as a multifaceted art form and powerful pedagogical tool that fosters cultural memory, community development, and personal growth, and he expresses deep gratitude for contributing to Abadá-Capoeira under Mestra Márcia’s guidance.