Born and raised in the town of Ipatinga in southeastern Brazil, Tigresa developed an interest in capoeira at a young age and began studying in 1986.

She obtained her Professora belt in 1997 and began teaching. Beyond her training and teaching duties, Tigresa participated in rodas and batizados throughout Brazil, and secured a personal training certifcate.
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In 2001, Tigresa moved to the United States and continued to develop her craft. She earned the title of Contramestra in 2012.

As an instructor, Tigresa teaches her students proper and safe techniques, focusing on capoeira’s foundational movements. She pushes students to overcome the physical and mental limits they place on themselves, while maintaining her patience and humor.