Contramestre "Charuto" (Ray Jordan)
Ray “Charuto” Jordan Jr. started his study of martial arts in 1994 at Kentucky State University under the tutelage of John “Shihan” Mason Jr. in the art of Che Lu. In 1996, Ray moved to Chicago, IL. and began training several martial arts disciplines including Kung Fu, Taekwondo, Miyama Ryu Jujutsu and his current art, capoeira under the instruction of, Mestra Marisa Cordeiro with the group Gingarte Capoeira. In 1999 Ray returned to Kentucky State University with his knowledge of capoeira and other martial arts and was a founding member of the Chi’Hoon All Powers Martial Arts Group on campus while continuing his training with Gingarte. In 2003 Ray joined Cordão De Ouro under the instruction of Instructor Antonio “Baiano” Lipscomb of Cordão De Ouro Champaign, Il. and earned both his capoeira apelido (nickname) of “Charuto”, and first cordão in capoeira through Mestre Denis of Cordão De Ouro in Champaign. Il.
Upon graduating Kentucky State University in 2004, Charuto moved to Nashville, TN. where he earned both the rank of 1st degree Black Belt and instructor in Wado Ryu Karate through David Deaton Karate Studios, the fifth largest martial arts school in the United States, in under one year. Within that year Charuto also earned Teacher of the Year honors. The following year, Charuto earned his second-degree black belt in Karate.
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After returning to KY in 2006, Charuto specifically trained and taught Cordão De Ouro capoeira in the Lexington, KY area. Now under the tutelage of Mestre Muriel Ribeiro of Atlanta, GA, Charuto has graduated to the rank of Professor (2022), and Contramestre (2025).
Charuto has taught capoeira at several universities including Kentucky State University, Midway University, and the University of Kentucky. He has also held classes at Urban Ninja Project, Four Seasons Martial Arts and CenteredLex in Lexington, KY before building Woodhill Martial Arts & Fitness and now the Kentucky Volta Por Cima Capoeira Academia. Charuto’s goal, through teaching the art of capoeira, is to inspire students to discover and become the best version of themselves.
Volta Por Cima Mestre
Mestre Muriel Ribeiro
Master Muriel, a native of São Paulo, Brazil. He has been training Capoeira for more than 30 years and has been teaching children and adults since founding CDO Atlanta in 2006. He travels the United States to participate in various workshops and international encounters, continuously learning and teaching about this diverse art.
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Born in Minais Gerais, Brazil in 1974, Mestre Muriel Ribeiro began his study of capoeira at the age of 18. As with many capoeira beginners Mestre Muriel felt that he was not sufficiently coordinated or flexible in his first class. However, in his second class he noticed some small progress as his body began to understand the ways in which it was meant to move. In addition to these gradual increases in physical strength, little by little, Mestre Muriel gained the knowledge and experiences necessary to play capoeira.
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After training in capoeira for one year, Mestre Muriel joined the academy at Cordão de Ouro in São Paulo where the founder of Cordão de Ouro Mestre Suassuna were important guides for his development. In addition to learning the game of capoeira, Mestre Muriel is also proficient in the berimbau, the fundamental instrument of capoeira and a skillful practitioner of the miudinho game developed by Mestre Suassuna. In 2004 Mestre Muriel graduated and received his cord and formal title as a Contra Mestre of Cordão de Ouro.
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After teaching and travelling extensively across the United States, Mestre Muriel decided to open his own academy settling in Atlanta in 2006. Under the leadership of Mestre Muriel, Cordão de Ouro Atlanta serves as a fertile training ground for the many lessons taught by capoeira. These lessons include physical training as well as mental and spiritual preparation to confront the challenges faced by each of us in day-to-day life. American students receive a cross-cultural experience as they learn the Portuguese language, the physical movements, musical instruments, and philosophy of capoeira. Mestre Muriel’s philosophy is that capoeira is ultimately an instrument to make friends and to have a happy life.