New York Samba School brings an authentic and professional Brazilian experience through education, cultural events and entertainment. We perform many genres of Brazilian music & dance, from Carnaval Samba and Bossa Nova to Samba Reggae, Pagode, Forro and Afoxe. NYSS is not a school. We are modeled after the "escolas de samba" that parade in Rio de Janeiro's world renown Carnaval. One of the few groups lead by a Rio de Janeiro native, master percussionist and artistic director, Carlos de Oliveira, we produce and promote Brazilian parties for clubs & restaurants in NYC, produce shows featuring our percussion and dance group, and teach dance and percussion classes for the general public.
The 2 musicians were great. They had vocals, guitarist and percussionist. All the music sounded great and they were very accommodating
Response from New York Samba School, Inc.:
New York Samba school were very happy performing for Don Desroches Birthday celebration.
The client requested only 2 musicians and as usual we strived to accommodate the client request by sending to him the two most resourceful and professional
musicians of our roster.
The guests were amazingly friendly and nice as well as the client and his family.
I really look forward working with this lovely family again.
Carlos D’Oliveira
We spoke with Carlos to arrange a last minute surprise for our guests at our wedding reception. We couldn't have been happier with the service - the band was great and the dancers even better.
Response from New York Samba School, Inc.:
Greetings Mara,
We hope everything is going well with you.
You wrote a New York Samba School review, which is right below.
Unfortunately it slipped out of our sight and we only noticed it today.
How ever, that won’t stop us from sending you a thank you note and let you know that it was a great pleasure performing for you and your guests. That is our mission: “spreading love and joy and the pursuit of happiness”.
In case you or your family, friends and guests ever need Brazilian entertainment again, rest assured that it will be a huge pleasure serving you or them with the same love and professionalism.
Best regards
Carlos D’Oliveira
Artistic Director
“We spoke with Carlos to arrange a last minute surprise for our guests at our wedding reception. We couldn't have been happier with the service - the band was great and the dancers even better.”
Reviewer: Mara C
Event Date: October 3rd, 2015
Services Provided: Drummer, Percussionist, Samba Dancer
These dancers were the best choice out there! They were affordable, on-time, great follow-up and beautiful!! Everyone at our party wanted their contact information! Thank you to Carlos for promising a service and providing it!!
Response from New York Samba School, Inc.:
Greetings Grishka,
In December 31, 2012 New York Samba School was honored to perform at your event.
Unfortunately we only noticed your wonderful review today.
However, that won’t stop us from writing a thank you note and tell you that it was a great pleasure doing business with you.
We wish you a great 2023 and count on us in case you need anything Brazilian entertainments for you or your friends.
Best Regards
Carlos D’Oliveira
Price Range: Contact for rates
Gig Length: 15 - 120 minutes
Languages: English, Portuguese, Spanish
Each performance is different and depends on the type of event, client needs, etc.
Biography of our founder:
Carlos de Oliveira is a native of Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He moved to New York in 2000 and has been living in Brooklyn since. Mr. de Oliveira is an Educator, Community Organizer, and Master Percussionist who started playing drums at the age of 6 and began playing Capoeira at age 14. His passion for drumming, social change, community organizing and education has led him to travel many regions of Brazil studying and researching the influence of Afro-Brazilian culture, shaping Brazil’s cultural identity, and the influence of the Afro Diaspora in Brazilian music. He has worked for Rio de Janeiro’s Department of Education, Department of Culture, Museum of Image and Sound, and Department of Social Development. Carlos de Oliveira’s knowledge and experience as an educator and percussionist and his deep involvement in the culture of samba has led him to be invited to judge Sao Paulo’s Carnaval Parade in 1995 and he was appointed by Rio de Janeiro’s Department of Culture to represent Brazil in Africa at Dakar International Music and Culture Festival.
Mr. de Oliveira was part of the foundation of several percussion groups in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil such as Meninas do Rio, an all female percussion group, Agbara - Dudu, an Afro-Bloco Olodum style group, and has paraded with several Rio de Janeiro samba schools such as Imperio Serrano, Vila Isabel and Mangueira.
In New York he has performed in venues such as SOB’S, Cafe Wha?,BAM, Brooklyn Museum, American Museum of Natural History, Lincoln Center, Museo del Barrio, Queens College, Long Island University, Sushi Samba and countless others. As a master percussionist, he is not limited to just Brazilian music. He has performed with several Jazz musicians such as Chip Jackson and Ron Carlton.
Recently, Mr. de Oliveira gave a lecture at Westchester Community College on "Samba and Carnaval: A Movement of the People" and will be giving the same lecture again at DeSales University in PA. Carlos de Oliveira’s over 30 years of experience in Brazil’s social, educational, art and cultural scene and musicianship has made him an expert in his culture, Brazilian culture.
| March 26, 2023 • 1:30pm - 3:30pm | Birthday Party |
| Carlos de Oliveira | Founder and Artistic Director |
Requirements depend on the type of event.
New York City, NY 
Belly Dancer
339 Verified Bookings Mariana D. L. R. said “My guess were amazed by their performance, they did an excellent job. The samba costumes were outstanding. I will be hiring them again. My daughter was…”
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Samba Dancer
13 Verified Bookings Ivette R. said “I loveeddd the girl's!! It was definitely a surpise to my guest and especially my husband. I have a few guest who want to make sure they knew how…”
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6 Verified Bookings Luanne A. said “Very professional from start to finish. And great entertainment and interaction with the crowd.”
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Bossa Nova Band
4 Verified Bookings Izzy O. said “We recently had the pleasure of hiring Natasha and Romulo for my boss' 50th birthday party work celebration, and must I say what a pleasure it was…”
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