Professor Comprido
Age: 40
Years of Capoeira Experience: 19
Years of Martial Arts Practice: 25
Trips to Brazil: 14 (over 3 years intensive training in Brazil)
Years of FULL-TIME PROFESSIONAL capoeira practice: 11
Total Teaching Hours: over 20,000
Cultural, Educational and Entertaiment shows and Seminars: over 800!
Children: 5
Professor Comprido is a dedicated FAMILY MAN and currently resides on the West Island of Montreal with his wife, four children and his beloved doggie. His school in Downtown Montreal has been open ;12 months a year, 6 days a week for the last 11 years and has been a great success, his competence allowing him to work exclusively with Capoeira since February, 2000, a feat unequalled in Quebec. Professor Comprido is a successful ENTREPRENEUR who believes in SMALL goverment and refuses to accept or apply for goverment subsidies and grants. This characteristic probably was passed on from his Father who was a successful ENTREPRENEUR (Building Supplies and Construction) as well as dedicated dad and Churchman.
Professor Comprido was born Arthur Joel Sears on the 20th of February 1971 to Arthur and Beverly Sears of Brookfield, Nova Scotia (pop. 1000). His paternal Grandfather was an ENTREPRENEUR (garage and gas pumps) and his maternal Grandfather was an ENTREPRENEUR (mixed farming,logging roadbuilding and maintenance). Comprido grew up enjoying the country life and practiced many organized and semi-organized sports and physical (eg. WORK) activites such as snaring rabbits, making maple syrup, beehive making and beekeeping, fruit picking, log hauling etc. Music (Especially Piano and Tuba) was a passion from an early age : as a youngster he represented the Atlantic Region at the National Jazz Band Championships of 1984 (Toronto) and 1985 (Quebec City). Comprido also represented the South Colchester Minor Hockey Association FLAMES at many tournaments and playoffs including classic battles against the “city-boys” from Truro (pop 15,000) and Halifax….
It was at the beginning of High School that he began his Martial Arts practice in the basement of the Colchester County YMCA in the renowned school of Master Duncan McCleod (a guard at the Colchester County Correctional Centre known for strict adherence to traditional training methods as well as a colourful PERSONALITY) and Master Dave Hunt ( the intense Deputy Sheriff of the Towne of Truro). This Spiritual and physically transforming experience lasted for three years and marked Comprido for life…
In 1988 he won the prestigious Nova Scotia Lt. Governor’s Medal for Academic and Extra-Curricular Activities
In 1989 he Graduated from High School with High Distinction winning several Scholarships and Awards.
From 1989 to 1994 he majored in Philosophy and History at the University of Toronto, graduating MAGNA CUM LAUDE. During this time he served as President of the Philosophy Club and Editor of The Philosophy Department’s Undergraduate Magazine , “ACADEMIA”. He continued rigorous physical training including Muay Thai, Wado-Ryu and weight training while exploring the BIG-CITY. Finally, in 1992 he took a breaK from academics and embarked on a 6 month solo adventure to South America where he discovered Capoeira in the Pelourinho District (before the touristic makeover occurred) of Salvador da Bahia.
- 1994 – 6 months – Intensive practice of Angola, Street and Regional
- 1998 – 6 months – Highlight was the birth of son, Jabier, in Sitio do Conde, Bahia
- 1999 – 3 months – Highlighted by training with Mestre Cabeludo and Prof. Arabia in Bahia
- 2001 – 2 months – More Intensive Capoeira Training (ie. no Capo-Tourism
- 2002 – 1 month -
- 2003 – 1 month -
- 2004 – 1 month – First Canadian Graduated Formado in Capoeira Regional
- 2005 – 1 month – Contruction of his Training Centre in Novo Imbassai, Bahia
- 2006 – 1 month -
- First Canadian Graduated Professor of Capoeira Regional
- World Record Set for Longest Continuous Capoeira Roda (50 Hours)
- 2007 – 1 month – Highlighted by His Seminar taught at the Catholic University of Salvador
- 2008 – 1 month
- 2009 – 1 month – R.I.P. Arraia
- 2010 – 1 month – Accompanied by 16 students , Comprido participated in a SECOND World Record (longest continuous running capoeira event–27 days).
TOTAL: 14 trips/32 months full-time training in Bahia
