THIS ISN'T JUST A DRUM CLASS.
THIS ISN'T JUST A DRUM CLASS.
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PLAY
PLAY
Learn authentic Afro-Brazilian samba percussion.
LISTEN
LISTEN
Learn how individual rhythms become one powerful ensemble.
MOVE
MOVE
Connect rhythm, movement and expression.
BELONG
BELONG
Become part of a community that makes music together.
You don't learn samba alone. You learn it together.
You don't learn samba alone. You learn it together.
START HERE:
FOUNDATIONS OF AFRO-BRAZILIAN SAMBA
START HERE:
FOUNDATIONS OF AFRO-BRAZILIAN SAMBA
Your first six weeks of samba start here.
In this beginner immersion, you'll learn the fundamentals of Afro-Brazilian samba percussion while experiencing what makes samba a communal art form.
6 weeks • 1 hour/week • Beginner friendly
WEEK 1
WEEK 1
FEEL THE PULSE
Discover the basic samba groove and experience your first success playing together.
WEEK 2
WEEK 2
LAYER & LISTEN
Learn how different percussion parts fit together and discover the power of playing as an ensemble.
WEEK 3
WEEK 3
GROOVE
Build coordination, confidence and your connection to the rhythm.
WEEK 4
WEEK 4
BUILD THE ENSEMBLE
Bring the individual rhythms together and begin sounding like a samba bateria.
WEEK 5
WEEK 5
PLAY THE BREAKS
Learn cues, breaks and transitions that bring the music to life.
WEEK 6
WEEK 6
PLAY TOGETHER
Put everything together and experience the energy of playing samba as a group.
Hear it. Play it. Sing it.
Hear it. Play it. Sing it.
Samba isn't just a collection of drum patterns. You'll learn traditional songs and chants while developing your percussion skills — connecting the rhythm, the voice and the ensemble.
MEET THE SAMBA INSTRUMENTS
MEET THE SAMBA INSTRUMENTS
Start here. Build skills that travel across the world of samba.
TANTAN — The pulse
Develops steady time, groove, and rhythmic foundation.
REBOLO — The conversation
Develops hand technique, syncopation, and rhythmic vocabulary.
REPINIQUE DE MÃO — The response
Develops coordination, accents, calls and rhythmic interaction.
PANDEIRO — The complete rhythm
Develops hand independence, coordination, timing and rhythmic versatility.
TAMBORIM — The precision
Develops speed, accuracy, syncopation and rhythmic awareness.
AGOGÔ — The guide
Develops timing, pattern recognition, melody and listening.
CUÍCA — The voice
Expressive rhythms and unmistakable Brazilian character.
GANZÁ — The texture
A steady rhythmic shimmer that fills out the groove.
THE SKILLS GO WITH YOU.
THE SKILLS GO WITH YOU.
You aren't just learning eight instruments. You're developing a rhythmic foundation that transfers to other samba instruments, rhythms and styles.
Listen. Coordinate. Feel the pulse. Play with others. Respond. Adapt.
THIS IS SAMBA
THIS IS SAMBA
More than rhythm. It's connection.
PLAY TOGETHER
PLAY TOGETHER
Samba comes alive when individual rhythms become one.
You're not practicing alone in a room. You learn to listen, respond, and find your place inside the groove.
SING TOGETHER
SING TOGETHER
The voice is part of the rhythm.
Learn traditional samba songs and chants while you play—and discover another way to connect with the music.
BELONG TOGETHER
BELONG TOGETHER
There's something powerful about making music with other people.
Meet people, build confidence, share the groove, and become part of a community that welcomes beginners.
You don't have to be a musician. You don't have to know samba.
You just have to show up.
MEET BFA
MEET BFA
Rooted in Afro-Brazilian samba. Built for community.
Bloco Folclórico Afro Samba School (BFA) brings the traditions of Afro-Brazilian samba into the Twin Cities through percussion, song, education and community.
Founded in 2005, BFA was created to share the music and culture of Brazilian samba in a way that welcomes people who may have never played an instrument before.
We believe samba is something you experience together.
You learn the rhythms.
You learn the songs.
You learn to listen to the people around you.
And eventually, you become part of the rhythm.
No experience required. Just bring your curiosity, your energy, and a willingness to play.
YOUR FIRST SAMBA CLASS
YOUR FIRST SAMBA CLASS
No experience. No pressure. Just rhythm.
ARRIVE
ARRIVE
COME AS YOU ARE
You don't need to know how to play an instrument. You don't need to know anything about samba.
We'll start together, from the beginning.
LEARN
LEARN
LEARN BY DOING
You'll learn rhythms through demonstration, repetition, call-and-response, and playing with the group.
You'll hear it.
You'll feel it.
Then you'll play it.
CONNECT
CONNECT
FIND YOUR GROOVE
You'll learn how your part fits with everyone else's—and discover how good it feels when the whole group locks into the rhythm.
WHAT DO I NEED?
WHAT DO I NEED?
Just yourself. We'll provide the instruments.
Wear comfortable clothes, bring some water, and come ready to play. No musical experience is required.
BY THE END OF YOUR FIRST CLASS, YOU'LL HAVE PLAYED SAMBA WITH OTHER PEOPLE.
READY TO PLAY?
READY TO PLAY?
Your six-week samba journey starts here.
FOUNDATIONS OF AFRO-BRAZILIAN SAMBA
FOUNDATIONS OF AFRO-BRAZILIAN SAMBA
6-Week Beginner Immersion
A hands-on introduction to Afro-Brazilian samba percussion, traditional songs, rhythm and ensemble playing.
6 weeks
1 hour per week
Same day & time each week
No experience required
You'll learn to:
Play authentic samba rhythms
Develop fundamental percussion skills
Sing traditional samba songs and chants while playing
Listen and play as part of an ensemble
Build skills that transfer to other samba instruments, rhythms and styles
YOUR NEXT STEP
YOUR NEXT STEP
Choose your spot.
Show up.
Start playing.
Next session: September 19, 2026
Day: Monday
Time: 7:00 PM
Location: 655 Fairview Ave, St. Paul, MN 55104
Investment: $150.00 for the 6-week immersion
Family and package options available.
Beginner-friendly
Instruments provided
No experience required
STILL WONDERING?
STILL WONDERING?
A few things beginners often ask.
DO I NEED MUSICAL EXPERIENCE?
DO I NEED MUSICAL EXPERIENCE?
No. The 6-week immersion is designed specifically for beginners. We'll start with the fundamentals and build from there.
WHAT IF I'M NOT VERY COORDINATED?
WHAT IF I'M NOT VERY COORDINATED?
That's okay. Coordination is one of the skills you'll develop. We break the rhythms down and build them step by step.
DO I NEED TO OWN AN INSTRUMENT?
DO I NEED TO OWN AN INSTRUMENT?
No. Instruments are provided for class.
WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT FROM MY FIRST CLASS?
WHAT SHOULD I EXPECT FROM MY FIRST CLASS?
You'll learn some basic rhythms, play with the group, and begin experiencing what makes samba so powerful as a collective musical experience.
DISCOVER THE RHYTHM. FIND YOUR PEOPLE.
DISCOVER THE RHYTHM. FIND YOUR PEOPLE.
Your first samba experience is waiting.
No experience required. No auditions. Just come ready to play, learn, sing, and connect.
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