Akin “Preguiça” Lowman, at the age of nine started practicing Capoeira Angola (movement, music, philosophy, and history) at Pittsburgh Capoeira school, Nego Gato Foundation under Mestre (master) Nego Gato instructor Justin Laing.  In addition to Capoeira he studied Samba and Afro-Brazilian Orixa music with Nego Gato. 

 

Akin has taught and developed Capoeira programs for Miller African Centered Academy, Florida A & M University, FAMU and other national schools.  Upon acceptance into the Savannah College of Art and Design (SCAD), he began independently teaching Capoeira at SCAD, where he attained a BFA in Animation. He has studied with many outstanding Capoeria Masters and has taught Capoeira-Angola as a guest teacher for Essence of Movement Dance Company’s “A Day of Dance” at Savannah State University (SSU), and as a part of their “National Dance Week” festival. 

 

In Dayton, OH, he taught Capoeira as a part of the Prophecy music project.  Akin brought Grupo Bantu Beira Mar to Tallahassee and taught for the group until 2011.  “Preguiça”, as he is known in the Capoeira world, continued to teach on his own in Tallahassee until 2015.  In 2017, Akin brought his talents back to Pittsburgh, where he has awakened a renewed passion in many former and new Capoeria artists and students.  Currently Akin is teaching Capoeria in local schools;  in 2018, he became a HDAT Teaching Artist bringing Capoeria to HDAT Pre-Professional students.