Teaching Dancers how to Drum - Workshop with Rob Arcari

This workshop is designed to give samba dancers a deeper connection to the music that drives their movement. Led by Mestre Rob, participants will be introduced to the core rhythms, structures and instruments that form a samba bateria.

Through hands-on drumming exercises and interactive demonstrations, dancers will explore how different patterns, cues and dynamics shape the sound they love. They will learn to predict where the music might go, and understand it on a deeper level.

By experiencing the music from the drummer’s perspective, dancers will develop stronger musical awareness, improve their ability to interpret rhythm, and build greater confidence when performing with live percussion. The workshop encourages collaboration between dancers and musicians, strengthening overall performance quality and fostering a more authentic and unified samba experience.

Even if you're not a dancer, but want to learn the fundamentals of samba percussion, this workshop is for you.

ABOUT YOUR TEACHER

Mestre Rob has been spearheading the Melbourne Samba scene for the last 10 years. He’s mestre de bateria of Bloco 3K (Melbourne) and Unidos da Cacatua (Aus/NZ). A passionate percussionist for more than 25 years, he's had the pleasure of playing and studying with groups across the UK, Europe, Australia & Brazil.

Over the past 8 years he’s been making an annual pilgrimage to Rio where he parades playing with numerous Escolas de Samba. He plays Repique with Imperatriz Leopoldinense and Repique de Bossa with Acadêmicos da Rocinha. He’s also paraded with Paraiso da Tuiuti, Império da Tijuca & Estacio de Sá, amongst other schools.

Rob is passionate about bringing authentic Afro-Brazilian percussion to Australia, and makes it his mission to get as close to the source as possible.

IMPORTANT INFO

No drum experience necessary. All instruments are provided.

As workshop times are strictly 1 hour, they will start ON TIME, so please arrive early to check in.