About
BERNARDO FARIA
Bernardo Faria is a 5x World Champion. Bernardo started training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in Juiz de Fora – Minas Gerais, Brazil at the age of 14 in 2001. After receiving his Black Belt from his first instructor Ricardo Marques in 2008, He moved to Sao Paulo to join BJJ legendary Fabio Gurgel and his Alliance team. After many years of training and winning many major titles, Bernardo moved to NYC in 2013 to train and teach at Marcelo Garcia Academy. In 2015 Bernardo achieved his dream of winning the IBJJF World Championship Open class title and his division, winning the double Gold and becoming the 1st in the IBJJF Ranking and was also chosen as the best athlete of 2015. In 2016 Bernardo broke the record of Open Class Champions of the Pan-Ams, winning his third Pan-Ams Open Class, submitting all of his opponents.
Bernardo Faria has now taken on the mission to share the lessons, techniques, experiences and more that he has learned along in his 17 years and counting as a BJJ student, teacher and world class competitor.
MARCOS TINOCO
Marcos Tinoco is a GI and NOGI World Champion and Black Belt under the legendary Marcelo Garcia.
Marcos is considered one of the best instructors in the world and for more than 10 years, has dedicated himself to teaching and developing Jiu-Jitsu programs. He brings his passion, experiences and knowledge of Jiu-Jitsu to every class and is dedicated to helping his students achieve their personal goals and pushing them to reach their full potential.
Marcos has developed Kids and Adults Jiu-Jitsu programs and curriculums for Kids and Adults and has trained and mentored instructors and academies all around the world to improve their Jiu-Jitsu programs.
Some of his world class Competitive achievements include: GI and NOGI World Champion, 2 time NOGI PanAm Champion, 2 time European champion, Brazilian Nationals champion and World Pro Champion.
Hana Silva
Hana Silva received her Black Belt under the legendary Marcelo Garcia in 2019 where she worked and trained at Marcelo’s Academy in NYC.
She has been training Jiu-Jitsu since 2007 and has dedicated her life to Jiu-Jitsu personally and professionally and is extremely passionate about using all of her experiences to motivate and coach others on their Jiu-Jitsu Journey.
She specializes in teaching Kids with positivity and excitement. She believes helping a child build their self-esteem and adopting an "I can do it" attitude is crucial not only for their Jiu-Jitsu Journey, but also for their personal development at home and in school. She works alongside Marcos developing Kids Jiu-Jitsu curriculums and programs for all ages.
She is also very passionate about working with Women, focusing on mindset and individual strategies and game plans.
JARED WELMAN
Jared has over 25 years of Martial Arts training that began with a focus on stand-up styles, then evolved to submission grappling, and finally to focusing on traditional BJJ in the Gi.
His love for teaching began many years ago in his former career in Law Enforcement where he was heavily involved in teaching at the NH Police Academy with Defensive Tactics and Ground Fighting. Over the years, his life-long passion for martial arts and teaching came together and he dedicated himself to teaching Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, boxing & kickboxing, MMA, strength & conditioning, as well as mobility.
Jared brings his amazing energy and knowledge to both Adults and Kids classes at Bernardo Faria Academy.
Joe Woo
Joe Woo is a black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Bernardo Faria and Marcos Tinoco and has been practicing martial arts for over 35 years. Besides over 25 years of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, he has also trained in Muay Thai, Judo, Kickboxing, Boxing, Taekwondo, San Shou, Wing Chun and Shaolin Kung Fu. He has also competed in professional Mixed Martial Arts and Jiu-Jitsu competitions.
As a lifelong martial artist, certified firearms instructor, and a former security professional, Joe brings a unique perspective to his teaching style and methodology. With over 15 years of teaching experience, Joe can help you achieve your goals whether it’s fitness, self-defense or competition.
RAYRA GRACIE
Rayra Gracie is from the illustrious Gracie family known for the expertise in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and mixed martial arts. She is the great-granddaughter of UFC pioneer and Hall of Fame Carlos Gracie Sr. who is credited with being one of the primary developers of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
She has been involved in Jiu-Jitsu almost her entire life and has dedicated herself to teaching Kids. Her passion is helping them to be and do the best they can inside and outside the Academy. She brings her incredible energy and positivity to each and every child with fun educational games and age appropriate Self-defense and Jiu-Jitsu techniques.
Joe huang
Joe Huang was awarded his black belt by Roberto Maia in 2016. He began training and competing in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu in 2003 in Singapore when it was difficult to find any schools. He had wanted to learn the art since watching the first Ultimate Fighting Championships in the 1990's.
Joe is passionate about learning and teaching the small details of Jiu-Jitsu. He believes that Jiu-Jitsu is the best self defense art and incorporates the martial aspect of the art in his style and teaching.