New York's Own Samba School
Samba New York! is a leading center for Brazilian samba culture in New York City, offering shows, classes in drumming and dance, and guided music trips to Brazil. The Estado do São Paulo, on of Brazil's most prominent newspapers, recently praised Samba New York! as "the most famous and active 'school of samba' in New York City."
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Samba New York! has been featured on TV Globo’s Jornal Nacional, Brazil’s most widely-viewed nightly news program; has helped Starbucks launch a new beverage on the CBS Early Show; has paraded through the heart of midtown Manhattan for an episode of Platinum Weddings on the We Entertainment Network; and was invited to open up for Skank, one of the most popular Brazilian bands, at the world famous Nokia Theatre in Times Square.

The group has sold out the acclaimed Joe’s Pub at The Public Theater and appeared at such other prestigious venues as The Brooklyn Museum for First Saturday, New York Botanical Garden, Prospect Park Zoo, Bronx Zoo, Sounds of Brazil, New Jersey Performing Arts Center, Copacabana, and Sushi Samba. Samba New York’s clients have included Bloomberg, Pepsi Co., Starbucks, Kraft Foods, and Enterprise Rent-a-Car.

Our professional performance company comprises a top-of-the-line roster of samba drummers and dancers; singers; guitarists; players of the cavaquinho, the characteristic small Brazilian guitar; the acrobatic performers of capoeira, an Afro-Brazilian martial art-dance; horn players; and whatever other type of performer may be required.

Our repertoire focuses on samba while also incorporating various other styles of Brazilian music and dance. Whether your event calls for an intimate bossa nova trio or a full-blown Carnaval extravaganza, Samba New York! will custom create the optimal show just for you!

Please contact us to discuss performance options. You’ll be glad you decided to go with Samba New York! We look forward to inspiring your guests out of their routine with the uplifting rhythms of Brazil!

SUÍNGUE CARIOCA!
An Immersion Course in Brazilian Samba Percussion

Instructor, Philip Galinsky, Ph.D.
Director, Samba New York!

Mondays, June 7, 14, 21, 28; July 12 & 19
7:00 PM – 9:00 PM

Funkadelic Studios
335 West 35th Street
between 8th & 9th Avenues
Third Floor, Studio 8
New York City

Fee (in cash): Only $60 for all 6 sessions (if paid in full on June 7)
or $20 per individual class

*All levels
*Please bring your own instruments and ear plugs
*Some instruments for sale or available to borrow by request
*The $60 Course Fee is due in full at the first class

After a successful first edition, Samba New York! will be continuing this unique workshop designed to train students and professional musicians alike in the art of Brazilian samba percussion. Referring to the special rhythmic feel of samba from Rio de Janeiro, Suíngue Carioca is an immersion experience — a six-week intensive course that will provide you with the essential tools to be able to perform with the Samba New York! Bateria at some of NYC’s most exciting events! The class will cover foundational instrumental techniques of the samba school bateria (percussion section); the typical samba-enredo song form; and the core repertoire of our Bateria, featuring the styles of various samba schools from Rio as well as Samba New York’s own style.

The agenda for the June / July workshop is as follows:

  • 6/7: Bateria Warm-Up and 2010 breaks (Cubango Samba School style)
  • 6/14: Bateria Warm-Up (Samba New York! style)
  • 6/21: Introduction to Mocidade Samba School style
  • 6/28: Bateria Warm-Up and breaks (Mocidade)
  • 7/12: Bateria Warm-Up and breaks, continued (Mocidade)
  • 7/19: Review of all 3 samba school styles

Since the arrangements are challenging and the course is cumulative, all participants are highly encouraged to commit to the entire series. Although all levels are welcome, the pace of the sessions will be intermediate to advanced. Beginning students are recommended to set up one private lesson with Philip Galinsky as a supplement to the weekly class. We look forward to playing samba with you!

Advanced registration is required:
To sign up, email us with your name, phone number, your instrument, and any experience with samba percussion. Please specify which sessions you will be attending. The course fee and any individual class fees are nonrefundable. Credits will not be granted for missed classes.

For further information, contact us.

SAMBA STUDY TRIP: RIO 2010

with Philip Galinsky, Ph.D.
February 9 – 18

Samba New York’s Director, Philip Galinsky, Ph.D., leads a cultural immersion trip to Rio de Janeiro, Brazil during Carnaval. The goal of the trip is to provide enthusiasts of Brazilian music and dance a unique opportunity to explore Rio’s rich samba culture first hand. The group will visit several samba schools in rehearsal, have a workshop with a master Brazilian percussionist, experience a night of top-level Samba School Parades in the Sambadrome during Carnaval, and much more!

The trip is open to musicians and non-musicians alike. Samba New York! will do its best to open doors for experienced drummers who wish to play in samba school rehearsals or in blocos (street Carnaval groups). Prospective participants interested in this possibility are highly encouraged to attend Samba New York’s Open Rehearsal and to take private lessons with Philip Galinsky prior to the trip. In addition, we may be able to schedule a special samba dance workshop as a separate activity.

For detailed information about our Samba Study Trip: Rio 2010, read more about it. Do not hesitate to contact us with any questions. We look forward to seeing you in Rio!