Daniele Silva-Serrano– Program Director and Instructor- Daniele has been involved in the martial arts for over 15 years. She began her training in Waterbury, CT with Master Michael Byrnes and Grand Master Joseph Rossi in 1992 at the Modern Self-Defense Center. She continued her training with Drew Serrano at his studios in Waterbury, her instructor to this day. She has also trained at Bergamo’s Martial Arts of CT. She is now an Assistant Instructor in Filipino Kun Tao/The Rossi Kun Tao System, and a Certified Instructor for ESCAPE ALIVE- Survival Skills, STRIKE-FIT and STRIKE-FIT for KIDS programs offered through East Coast Training Systems (ECTS).

Daniele has been involved in the area of fitness for over 15 years. During her years in Boston, MA, she worked in client relations at World Gym. She spent a number of years living on Martha's Vineyard and continued her involvement in fitness helping to coach competitive body building athletes, many of which have placed in the top 3 in there respective categories.

Daniele stays in shape through a combination of weight training, aerobic training, and Martial Arts. Her dedication to fitness has lead her to be a fitness model for freelance photographers in the Boston area.

Daniele has also been active in the film industry working on various projects with Drew and ECTS (“The Agent”, “Breaking all Records” and “CHI”) and attending stunt workshops. Daniele was awarded the title of “Female Breakout Action Star” in 2006 at the Action on Film International Film Festival in Los Angeles, CA for her hard-hitting role in the short film “CHI” directed by Christopher Vallone (Bright Eye Films).

Her main goal when she started Martial Arts’ Training was to learn how to defend herself. In 2003, she joined Team Bergamo, a competition team coached by Ralph Bergamo and Drew Serrano, as a way to test herself and set new goals. Among her wins:

• 1^st Place in Self-Defense at the 2005 at the Mohegan Sun National Karate Championships, CT

• 2nd Place in Self-Defense in 2006 and 3^rd Place in Self-Defense in 2004 at the US Open World Martial Arts Championships, Orlando, FL.

• 1^st place in Wood Power Breaking at the 2006 Mohegan Sun National Karate Championships held at Mohegan Sun Resort and Casino, CT.

Daniele has been a part of the United States and World Breaking Association since 2003. She acts as an Official Representative and Ring Coordinator at the many sanctioned events held throughout the US and abroad.

During the time she lived in Massachusetts, Daniele began training in the Brazilian Martial Art of Capoeira, becoming one of her passions; training for 4 years and achieving her yellow-orange cord with the Capoeira group “Artes Das Gerais”.

During that time, she instructed under the guidance of her Capoeira Master for two and half years, teaching both in Massachusetts and Connecticut.

She also attended many workshops and Capoeira events taught by reputable Masters from around the world. Although she is not involved with Capoeira on a full time basis these days, she remains very close to her Capoeira friends and attends events as time allows.

Daniele is in the process of creating her own Capoeira fitness program, combining the rhythmic moves of the Brazilian Martial Art with calisthenics and body weight resistance training. Capoeira is highly aerobic and energetic to begin with; Daniele is using this as the basis for this program.

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Daniele in Action

Daniele poses during a fitness photo shoot.	Daniele executes a front kick to Aikido Master Peter DeMarco during a Kick-Pics photo shoot in Hollywood, CA.	Daniele poses for a fitness photo shoot.	Daniele finishing an attacker.	Daniele poses for promo pictures for the film "CHI".	Daniele teaching a Capoeria class at Bergamo's Martial Arts in CT.
Daniele poses during a fitness photo shoot.	Daniele excuting a head throw in competition at the US Open World Martial Arts Championships, Orlando, FL.	Daniele defending against a stick attack in competition at the US Open World Martial Arts Championships in Orlando, FL.

Friends, Celebrities, and Legends

Daniele with "Mestre Joao Grande" and her daughters at their first "Batizado" - Capoeira Artes das Gerais.	Daniele and "Mestre Curisco" at a Batizado in Framingham, MA.	Daniele with USBA/WBA Event Coordinator Danielle Pierce at the AMAF Columbus, Ohio.	Daniele with "Mestre Museu" (Founder of the Capoeira Group Artes das Gerais) and her daughters at a Batizado in Framingham, MA.	Daniele with "Mestre Ramos" at a Capoeira Batizado in New York, NY.	Daniele with film star Cynthia Rothrock (center), and Kelly Murphy (left), wife of World Champion Clinton Murphy.
Daniele with Bergamo's Martial Art's student Sarah Kulenski after Sarah won her forms division.	Daniele with San Ryu Do founder Dr. Robert Braff (left) and Dr. Kevin Hufford (right), founder of Nihon To-Jutsu Karate-Do.	Daniele catches a photo-op with a rather large bodybuilder at the Arnold Classic and Sports Festival in Columbus, OH.

Group Photos- Competitions, Seminars, Events

Daniele with her Capoeira instructor Ze ComFome during a Capoeira seminar.	Group picture of Daniele's Capoeira group Artes das Gerais.

Miscellaneous

Daniele at a photoshoot.	Movie poster from the film "CHI". Daniele won "Best Breakout Female Action Star" at the Action on Film International Film Festival for her role.