Welcome to Bateria Academy!  We're excited to have you take your first step into Miamibloco, a living cultural tradition. Through these sessions, you're not only learning Samba percussion—you’re also adding your own unique touch to a vibrant, evolving community.—no musical experience needed! 
Even if you are a musician, we encourage everyone to keep a beginners mind as this is a new realm and is part of a cultural lineage that we honor beyond technique.This is a space where you’re encouraged to make loud mistakes and start connecting with one of the six instruments that shape Miamibloco’s unique sound:

- Tamborim

- Repique

- Caixa

- Surdo (1,2,3)

-Timbau

- Ganzá/ Chocalho

The program includes six in-person, two-hour rehearsals on Sundays, along with study videos before each session. While we meet in person, your personal practice between sessions is key. The more effort you put in outside of class to come prepared, the more rewarding your experience will be individually and for the collective at our rehearsals.

In person  rehearsal dates:  Sundays
September 15 1PM -3PM 
September 22 12PM -2PM 
September 29 12PM -2PM 

October 13       12PM -2PM 
October 20 12PM -2PM 
October 27 12PM -2PM 

Throughout the course, we'll focus on coordination, rhythm, memory, accountability, and—most importantly—how to create and understand musical conversations where every player contributes to the collective sound.

To keep everything organized, we communicate exclusively on DISCORD. Here’s how to get started:

- Download the DISCORD app and choose a name that’s easy to recognize.

- Introduce yourself in the “blocohead” chat, mention you’re part of Bateria Academy 1, and SuOm will grant you access to the weekly practice videos as they are released.

- Check the Bateria Academy chat at least once between classes and an hour before class in case of last-minute updates.

- Please be ready to start at 12:00pm. Plan on arriving 10 minutes before class starts. Free Parking is a 7 minute walk from the classrooms.

To make the most of this experience, aim to practice at least 15 minutes, three times a week between the in person classes. This will help boost your coordination and memory, setting you up for success as you move through the levels. No instrument? No problem! You can practice with just a couple of sticks. We’ll talk more about that in class!

Thank you for wanting to be a part of Miamibloco. This community is all about bringing people from all walks of life together to embody joy, connection and pride in Miami through Samba percussion; together we are creating the heartbeat of the 305.