In 1999, while studying at the University of California, Berkeley, Instructor Preá (Nick Damski) started training capoeira with one of Mestre Suassuna’s graduated students. There, he met Professores Berinjela and Xangô as well as Instructor Girafa and Estagiario Zumbi with whom he trained and taught. In 2003, with the blessing of Mestre Suassuna, Prea – along with Berinjela, Xangô, Girafa, and Zumbi began training under the supervision and guidance of Contra-Mestre Chicote. After finishing his studies, Preá returned to his hometown of Los Angeles in 2003 where (under the close guidance of Contra Mestre Chicote) he started Cordão De Ouro Los Angeles with the help of Cozinheiro (Leo Rivas). In 2007, Preá traveled to Paris where he received his cordão azul at Contra-Mestre Chicote’s Festival Passo a Frente.