The Agogo comes in quite a few shapes and forms but always consist of a minimum of two tones. The sound made by striking a wooden stick against the agogo’s two metal bells produces a upper and lower tone.

Shi Ying is delighted to be the latest addition to Sambiesta!

Having 2 years of experience playing the Agogo bells and Chocalho in Samba Masala, she has been hooked to the funky grooves and infectious beats since day one.

Music has been a part of her life since young, from Yamaha piano lessons to playing the French Horn in the Dunman High School and Victoria Junior College Symphonic Band. Having loved percussion all along and seeking a different approach to music than bands / orchestras, samba music was just the thing for her.

Discovering samba music was probably the best thing that happened to her, and she loves it most when the audience gets hyped up and grooving to the music.

Siqing aka Sylvia has been involved in the music scene since she was young, being actively involved in the choral scene since her secondary school days. She has taken part in various overseas choir competitions in her secondary and junior college days, winning quite a few awards, including a gold at the choral olympics. She holds a grade 7 in piano, but she doesnt know how to play a piano! pretty ironic.

On her first day at SMU, Siqing was completely blown away by the energetic and lively performance of her seniors at Samba Masala during convocation. When she saw that, she knew that SHE HAS to be a part of the team.

Siqing has not regretted my choice since then and has been 4 years since she stepped into this samba industry. She is now a player of the Bells (Auxillary) Section. She thoroughly enjoy the public performances with Sambiesta, grooving to the beats and more importantly, playing with a cool bunch of friends. Siqing is known in the band to have “wonderful” dance moves and “bubbly” smiles and "unique" laughter.

During her free time, she loves going to the gym, run and explore new hangouts with her friends!

Suniartie, or more fondly known as Uni, developed a love for the performing arts at a young age being involved in dance, drama and playing the piano. She was introduced to the Afro-Brazilian music genre while in SMU. Enthralled by the music that gets people moving, she joined Samba Masala and subsequently Sambiesta. She is in the auxiliary section playing the Agogo bells, which are small enough to allow her to groove to the beats. Uni especially loves it when she sees the audience up on their feet, visibly enjoying the rhythms. Having graduated and currently working in Organisation Development in the offshore/marine industry, she continues to play with her band of friends in her free time for love of the music.

Elle's unexpected recruitment into Samba Masala sparks off her love for the alluring samba rhythms. Despite her lack of musical background, she now alternates between two instruments - the Agogo bells and Tamborim.

A shy and soft-spoken girl, Elle attributes her Queen of Queens pageant title to the confidence built from samba performances over the years. She has grown to enjoy the fun jamming sessions with her peers to the infectious samba beats, and look forward to more grooving moments with Sambiesta.

Her first encounter with Samba music was upon joining Samba Masala in 2005. She plays in the auxiliary section. Loving every minute of moving and grooving, she has performed with Samba Masala for numerous gigs and events. Now, as part of Sambiesta, and perhaps with more experience than before, she hopes to grow with this amazing group that have formed out of pure passion for the music and the camaraderie that have resulted over the years. She believes that the energy Sambiesta gives off will be good vibes transcended through music.

Everyone is happy.
So come join the party.

Jiahui first came in touch with music when she started learning to play the electric organ at an age of 5. Subsequently, her passion for music motivated her to join the Raffles Chorale in junior college where she took part in the Singapore Youth Festival, and the Orlando Di Lasso Choral Festival held in Rome.

Jiahui was introduced to a new genre of music – Brazillian samba when she entered SMU, where she met a great bunch of friends and she has been having a smashing great time with them since. Jiahui plays in the auxiliary section of Sambiesta, switching between the Chocalho and the Agogo Bells, and she’s loving every groovy beat of Sambiesta!