Pitta Santos

asantos@cornish.edu

Capoeira Pitta was born and raised in Salvador, Brazil. Pitta has studied and taught Capoeira and Afro-Brazilian dance in his native Salvador for the past 18 years. He recently landed in the United States with much enthusiasm to share his native Afro-Brazilian culture through Capoeira and dance, two of the most significant artistic expressions of Black Brazilian culture. Pitta began training Capoeira Regional (pronounced hey-shon-al) under Mestre Washington and at the age of 17 became the Regional Capoeira Champion of Salvador. Pitta studied dance at Universidad Federal do Bahia and Federacao Cultural do Bahia in Salvador. He has performed throughout the state of Bahia with professional Afro-Brazilian dance and Capoeira groups such as Arte Bahia, Joao de Barro, and Axe Bahia. In 2003, Pitta co-founded the Capoeira group, Bantos Brazil, teaching and performing extensively in theatres and festivals. Bantos Brazil grew successfully, and with partnership and funding from UNESCO, provided Capoeira instruction to over 350 under-privileged youth. Pitta has also appeared on several Brazilian television and radio programs featuring his dance and Capoeira classes. In Seattle, with his wife Aileen, Pitta has created Bahia in Motion and the Capoeira group Bantos Capoeira Seattle, offering classes in Afro-Brazilian dance and Capoeira to both adults and children. Pitta’s extensive professional training and ability to transmit the vibrant energy of Bahia, Brazil produce fun, creative and invigorating classes. Since his arrival, Pitta has taught workshops at Seattle’s Rhythm Fest and BrasilFest and has been invited to take part in various community festivals.