Axé Capoeira came to Arizona in 2000, when founder Jay "Camara" Spain moved back to the United States after being promoted to a Monitor in Capoeira by Mestre Barrao in Vancouver Canada. Jay "Camara" was Mestre Barrao's first student in North America and is a highly valued instructor in Grupo Axé Capoeira.
In 2003, Axé Capoeira Arizona opened the first Capoeira Academy and Dance Cultural Center in the metropolitan Phoenix area. Classes are offered to Kids, Teens and Adults. Axé Capoeira Arizona also offers classes at Arizona State University and various community colleges in the greater Phoenix area.
As head instructor at Axé Capoeira Arizona, Jay has developed and implemented the kids, teens and young adults curriculum to provide students with an alternative means to develop confidence, to encourage health and fitness, and to promote cultural awareness and experiences through Capoeira.