Profesor Tinta Forte (Victor Murrell) has been training capoeira since 1999. Although the majority of his training has been in Chicago, he has also traveled for extensive periods of time in Brazil, training at a variety of Cordão de Ouro Academies. He received his 'profesor' cord in 2010 and is now teaching in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

Profesor Ligeirinho (Pele Santiago) has been training with Gingarte Capoeira since 1999. He received his ‘profesor’ cord in 2010, and has traveled to Brazil and around the U.S., training with several Cordão de Ouro masters of capoeira. He presently teaches at the Gingarte academy as well as other locations in Chicago.

Instrutor Artista started training capoeira with Gingarte in 1997. He is also an accomplished musician, giving rise to his nickname. He has been residing and teaching capoeira in Crystal Lake, IL, and he continues to commute between his home and the city to take classes at Gingarte’s academy. Along with a trip to Brazil in 2001, Artista has traveled to numerous capoeira events throughout the US, and he received his ‘instrutor’ cord in 2010.

Instrutora Bamba began training capoeira with CM Marisa of Gingarte Capoeira in 1999. Since 2002 she has trained and worked extensively with CM Relampago of Canoa Grande in Igarassu, PE, Brazil (www.canoagrande.org). She received her ‘instrutora’ cordão from Gingarte Capoeira in 2010. Bamba teaches kids and adult capoeira classes at the academy in Chicago and continues to work with Canoa Grande after the disappearance of CM Relampago. She is also a full-time faculty member at UIC where she teaches Acting and Movement.

Instrutor Girafa has been training with Gingarte Capoeira since 1998. Teaching since 2002, he is now instructing Gingarte classes primarily at the University of Chicago. He is also teaching capoeira through after-school programs at the University of Chicago Lab Schools and Ashburn Lutheran School. Girafa has implemented and led programs for Children’s Home + Aid and After School Matters, which are two organizations offering enrichment programs for inner-city youth. He has played pivotal roles as the group’s emcee, sound man, and stage manager as well.

Instrutora Iuna started training capoeira with Gingarte in 2001. After training in São Paulo and Salvador, Brazil in 2003, she taught capoeira and music classes at Gingarte’s academy. She has been fortunate enough to experience the global influence of capoeira during her travels to Italy, France, Spain, Portugal and China. She received her ‘instrutora’ cord in 2010.

Instrutor Manhoso began training with Gingarte Capoeira in 2002. Having made trips to Rio de Janeiro and Sao Paulo, he helps teach classes at Gingarte’s academy. He also helps maintain Gingarte’s website and serves as the in-house IT advisor. He received his ‘instrutor’ cord in 2010.

Instrutor Urso Polar started training capoeira in 2002. After a 2.5 month stint in Brazil, he returned home to Chicago and joined Gingarte in the fall of 2003. His continued training has led him to attend numerous events here within the U.S., as well as Brazil. He received his "instrutor" cord in 2010 and teaches in the Gingarte academy in Chicago. As the group's videographer/editor, he also contributes by producing trailers used for grant submittals as well as promotional use via social media forums.