Gary Williams aka Trovoada (sound of thunder) began his capoeira studies in August 1996 under Barrett “Camarada” Leverette at the 7 Mile and Lasher YMCA in Detroit, Michigan. In 2011, he was awarded the Contra-Mestre rank under Mestre Marcelo “Caveirinha” Pereira of Capoeira Mandinga. 

 Trovoada has been teaching capoeira in the Metro Detroit Area since 1999. He has taught at various locations including YMCA Royal Oak, YWCA Redford,  YMCA 7 Mile and Lasher, Mejishi Martial Arts as well as providing private lessons. 

In 2012, Trovoada felt his capoeira calling lay in the philosophy and methodology of Capoeira Regional as espoused by Filhos de Bimba Escola de Capoeira after hosting a workshop in Detroit by Mestre Nenel Machado (and a long-held interest in the work of Mestre Bimba). 

Since 2012, Trovoada  extensively traveled through the United States and Canada furthering his Capoeira studies with Professores Lang and Malandro and in the summer of 2015 completed an intensive month-long capoeira experience at the headquarters of Filhos de Bimba Escola de Capoeira in Salvador, Brazil. under the watchful eye of Mestre Nenel, Mestre Bimba’s son, and his Professores (teachers).

On June 11, 2022, in Salvador, Bahia Trovoada participated in a formatura ceremony in which he became formado during the 36th Anniversary celebration of Filhos de Bimba Escola de Capoeira. A formatura is the ceremony in which the practitioner is declared to have concluded the basic course and receives an honorary blue scarf and medallion.