Mestre Ombrinho, born Michael Goldstein, is the founder and leader of Capoeira Angola Quintal and the first non-Brazilian to receive the title of Mestre in Capoeira. With more than four decades of practice and over thirty years of teaching experience, he has played a pioneering role in spreading Capoeira throughout the United States and beyond.

He began studying Capoeira in 1981 under Mestre Acordeon and Mestre Jelon, two of the mestres who first brought Capoeira to the U.S. His first trip to Brazil came in 1985, where he trained with several legendary mestres across generations. Having explored various Capoeira styles—including Regional, known for its martial focus, and Angola, celebrated for its grounded and introspective rhythm—Mestre Ombrinho was ultimately drawn to the philosophical and spiritual depth of Capoeira Angola.

In 1996, he received his Mestre diploma under the authority of Mestre Nô (Norival Moreira de Oliveira) of Bahia, Brazil—one of the most revered figures in the Capoeira world, often called the “Master of Masters.”

Since 1988, Mestre Ombrinho has been teaching Capoeira in the New York City area, introducing it to schools, community centers, and cultural institutions. He has organized numerous international Capoeira festivals and retreats in cities such as New York, San Francisco, Ithaca, Boston, Cape Cod, Roanoke, Charlotte, and Bahia, Brazil.

As the head instructor of the New York Capoeira Center, he continues to inspire students of all ages and abilities through his inclusive and mindful approach. His teaching philosophy, known as Mindful Capoeira, emphasizes awareness, safety, and accessibility—helping practitioners master fundamental movements while nurturing respect, leadership, and community impact.

Through his work with Capoeira Angola Quintal, Mestre Ombrinho continues to bridge cultures and generations, promoting Capoeira as both a martial art and a path toward personal and social transformation.