Rhonda Coleman, Capoeirista. Tucson, AZ  |  2023

Rhonda Coleman (Contramestra Onda Mansa) is part of the capoeira community that springs from Grupo Capoeira Angola Guerreiro de Palmares, led by her teacher, Mestre Lazaro, a capoeira arts master in Salvador da Bahia, Brazil.  Coleman’s movement background includes West African, Honduran, and Afro-Brazilian dance. She has studied and performed in New Orleans with Kumbuka Dance Troupe, learned from masters in Honduras and Brazil. Eventually she relocated to Tucson where she also danced with Barbea Williams Performing Arts company before opening her own studio. Her apprentice is Adia Marble.