Lisa Willoughby "Instrutora Ciranda"
Lisa Willoughby, known as "Instrutora Ciranda," is the founder of ABADÁ-Capoeira Marin.
Lisa Silva Willoughby, founder of ABADÁ-Capoeira Marin, has dedicated herself to making Capoeira a permanent part of Marin County’s culture since founding the organization in 2014.
A four-time ABADÁ-Capoeira games champion, she has extensive experience teaching Capoeira to individuals of all ages. Lisa is a long-time student of Mestra Márcia “Cigarra” Triedler, one of the top-ranked capoeiristas in the world. Originally from Goiânia, Brazil, and a graduate of the State University of São Paulo, Lisa’s mission has always been to share Capoeira’s rich cultural heritage with the local community.
After earning her degree in Public Relations, Lisa worked in marketing both in Brazil and California. She has been a regular member of the ABADÁ-Capoeira San Francisco performance troupe since 2008.
In 2009, she began teaching Capoeira to children at San Francisco public and private schools, witnessing the life-changing impact it had on her students. She was inspired by how Capoeira brought people together across age, race, physical ability, and economic backgrounds.
With the encouragement of Mestra Márcia Cigarra, Lisa founded ABADÁ-Capoeira Marin in 2014, and since then, she has taught Capoeira to students of all ages, from pre-school children to seniors. In 2016, she began focusing on growing the organization, and by 2019, ABADÁ-Capoeira Marin became a certified 510(c)(3) nonprofit organization.
Lisa is deeply committed to promoting Capoeira’s benefits and continues working to make it a foundational part of Marin County culture. As a passionate educator and community leader, she regularly interacts with school and county representatives to advance ABADÁ-Capoeira Marin’s mission. In addition to her teaching and administrative roles, Lisa remains actively involved in Batizados, competitions, and theatrical performances worldwide.
Titles & Awards
These accomplishments reflect Lisa’s excellence and dedication to the practice of Capoeira, as well as her standing in the international Capoeira community.
Purple Cord & Instructor Title
- In August 2018, Lisa received her purple cord and the title of Instructor at the ABADÁ-Capoeira National Arts Festival in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
International Competitive Titles
- 2019: Co-Champion of the Women's Baobá Division at the ABADÁ-Capoeira International Games in Rio de Janeiro.
- 2021: Co-Champion of the Women's Baobá Division at the ABADÁ-Capoeira International Games (held online due to the COVID-19 pandemic).
- 2023: Co-Champion of the Women's Baobá Division at the ABADÁ-Capoeira International Games in Rio de Janeiro.
- 2024: Champion of the Women's Baobá Division at the ABADÁ-Capoeira National Games in Rio de Janeiro, winning three medals for Best Game in all categories (Benguela, Iúna, and São Bento Grande).