Samba New York! has been featured on national television in both the US and Brazil — including the CBS Early Show, the Doctor Oz Show (Fox), and TV Globo’s Jornal Nacional, Brazil’s most widely-viewed nightly news program. We have paraded through the heart of midtown Manhattan for an episode of Platinum Weddings on the We Entertainment Network; were invited to open up for Skank, one of the most popular Brazilian bands, at the world famous Nokia Theatre in Times Square; and have been invited twice to be the front band at the Greenwich Village Halloween Parade, the largest night-time procession in the country.
Samba New York! 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 Show Group comprises an exceptional 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.
Distinct from other groups that hire percussionists on an event-by-event basis, our Show Group Bateria (Drum Section) — the heart of our organization — rehearses weekly with a consistent lineup of dedicated and talented players. It is precisely this commitment to quality and professionalism that has made Samba New York! the “most famous and active school of samba” in NYC!
Please contact us to discuss performance options.
The focus of Samba New York’s curriculum is drumming. And when it comes to samba drumming in NYC, our organization is at the forefront.
Samba New York! has emerged as NYC’s premier training ground for samba percussionists. Our organization has graduated numerous players who have gone on to shake up the local Brazilian music scene. Director, Philip Galinsky, Ph.D. has served as the first samba teacher and mentor for leaders of such groups as Philly Bloco (Philadelphia), Frederick Douglass Academy’s Harlem Samba (NYC), and Mais Um (NYC).
Dr. Galinsky is personally responsible for the training of all the percussionists in Samba New York! from the beginner to professional levels. Many of the players in our professional Show Group were first introduced to samba as students in Samba New York!
One characteristic that sets Samba New York! apart is its professionalism. We only have one performance ensemble that is composed exclusively of professional players. Our students only get to perform with the professionals after successfully completing a rigorous training period — and only for select events.
Samba New York! features three levels of participation for percussionists. The entry-level workshop, Suíngue Carioca: An Immersion Course in Brazilian Samba Percussion offers a uniquely accessible method of learning the basics of samba drumming quickly, effectively, and in a fun, communal environment.
The third level — the Show Group — is the professional wing of Samba New York! Distinct from groups that hire freelance players on an event-by-event basis, our Show Group features a set lineup of talented in-house drummers (the Bateria) that rehearses weekly. This consistency contributes to the quality and refinement of the Samba New York! performance experience.
The second level is an opportunity to perform with the professional Show Group Bateria, which periodically supplements its ranks with additional qualified percussionists for select events throughout the year, such as the Dance Parade in May and the Greenwich Village Halloween Parade on October 31.
Prospective performers in the Bateria must have a command of the basics and an ability to play in the Samba New York! style — all of which is covered in Suíngue Carioca. They learn the current repertoire in the Bateria Rehearsal course, which is offered year-round.
Dedicated students in Samba New York! have a unique opportunity to move from the beginner course to participation in the Bateria and graduate as a professional samba percussionist. Many of the current members of our Show Group are living proof!
NOTE: Samba New York! is not currently offering group dance classes. We recommend the classes of Danielle Lima. Samba dancers of all levels are invited to participate with Samba New York! in the annual Greenwich Village Halloween Parade.
Please visit our Events page for a list of current classes. We also offer private lessons in samba percussion and dance for those seeking quicker progress. To schedule a private lesson or to reserve Samba New York! for a lecture or workshop, don’t hesitate to contact us.
SAMBA STUDY TRIP: RIO 2013
with Philip Galinsky, Ph.D.
Dates TBA
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 visits several samba schools in rehearsal, has a workshop with a master Brazilian percussionist, experiences 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 Bateria 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 next Samba Study Trip, keep checking our Events page. Do not hesitate to contact us with any questions. We look forward to seeing you in Rio!