Rogerio Valencio da Silva, better known as Professor Cocada in the capoeira world, was born on July 26, 1979 in Goioere, Parana, Brazil. He began training with Professor Bolinha at the age of 15 in his city after seeing capoeira in a roda. At the age of 18, Prof. Cocada began training with Mestre Fran and opened his own academy in 1999, expanding capoeira and Grupo Maculelê to other parts of Brazil. In conjunction with the local government, Prof. Cocada implemented the project, Instruir para Crescer or Teach in order to Grow in ten schools of Goioere. For all of his hard work and dedication, Mestre Fran graduated Prof. Cocada to the level of Professor in 2001 and Professor 2nd deg. in 2007. With the success of his program in his hometown, he instituted the program Formando Cidadão no Toque do Berimbau into the schools in the city of Quarto Centenario in 2002. The programs are still highly successful today with over 500 students ranging from ages 5 to 15. He is now in New Orleans with the desire to introduce capoeira and Brazilian culture.