Master Boneco (Beto Simas) is one of three founding members of the internationally renowned Grupo Capoeira Brasil. He began training Capoeira in 1974 and started teaching seven years later. Today he supervises over 50 instructors with classes offered worldwide, including Brazil, Australia, Europe, Japan and throughout the United States. Master Boneco is recognized by the Brazilian Capoeira Federation.

Through his work as an actor and model in Brazil, Master Boneco is credited with bringing Capoeira into the public eye. He began acting in 1996 when he signed a contract with Global Television Network (the biggest television network in South America). He appeared in soap operas, movies, family program entertainment, talk shows and others highly rated programs in Brazil.  He also performed at the opening for the Olympic Games.

Master Boneco trained actress Halle Berry for her title role in Catwoman, and his students can be seen in other blockbusters, Ocean’s Twelve, Meet the Fockers and in music videos Rich Girls, by Gwen Stefani and Eve and Usher's Caught Up. 

His new aerobic fitness program, Boneco Capoeira, is a natural outgrowth of his desire to spread the word of Capoeira around the world.   He developed the program, which incorporates traditional movements from the martial art, so that all ages can enjoy the magical energy, music and essence of Capoeira.

Master Boneco is the founder and director of the Benção Brasil Cultural Center, a non-profit Brazilian cultural center and arts collective that houses Grupo Capoeira Brasil, Los Angeles.  He supervises Capoeira programs at UCLA(in the Department of Recreation), the STAR after-school and other schools and community centers in Southern California.

He has taught at Yale University as well as at academies in New York, Chicago, Amsterdam, Munich, Paris, Strasbourg, Nagasaki, Sydney and all over Brazil.  He has organized and produced over 25 International Encontros/Batizados (Capoeira festival/graduation ceremony); participated in countless international fitness festivals and

Master Boneco’s work spreads beyond academies and fitness centers. In both Brazil and the United States, his program for troubled youths in economically challenged neighborhoods provides boys and girls a creative and physical outlet, which has successfully kept countless teenagers off the streets and away from gangs and drugs.

Master Boneco has a degree in Physical Education from the Gama Filho University, Rio de Janeiro.