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.

Joining a military-band-in-name (actually a concert band) in her secondary school was just a pure coincidence for Renee. She was placed in the percussion section when managed to drum out simple rhythms during the band audition. The next four years playing timpani and drumkit finally ignited her passion for drumming and performing. With a background as a percussionist, drumming seems like just the right thing to do there after.

Renee first came into contact with Samba music in university and continued playing even after graduation with Sambiesta. Having great fun playing with her wonderful samba mates is what keeps her passion in drumming. With the groovy music that awaits her, it's hard to resist not moving and playing to it.

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!

Unlike most musicians, Z-Way never knew he had any musical genes until he decided to join SMU's Samba Masala in 2005. It has been a journey of discovery ever since, with him trying out the Indian Dhols initially, before moving on to Tambourims and finally to the Surdo. On the Macacão ever since, Z-Way has been jamming on to samba music, from Samba Masala and now to Sambiesta.

Z-Way is currently pursuing his final year in SMU's School of Information Systems. When he's not jamming, he's probably working on being a geek.

Jerry has never undergone any form of musical training in the past until a chanced exposure to samba percussion music in 2005, and since then he was never the same man again. His love and passion for the music drove him to considerably improve his drumming skills within a short period in order to make up for “lost time”, as he still regrets till this day for not picking up a drumstick (or 2) earlier. He thoroughly enjoys leading the band during rehearsals and performances, as well as learning and sharing the music with fellow band mates and other sambistas.

Besides being a full-time student at SMU, Jerry also currently works part-time as a gym instructor. Though he may not look the part, he had been an active sportsman since primary school until the musical instinct took over. As he approaches graduation, he aspires to enter the banking and finance sector, but at the same time desires more free time to continue pursuing his interest in the music upon joining the workforce. He hopes to get paid like a CEO for drumming out loud! =Pp

Yuchang was exposed to the world of music very early on, when he picked up playing the piano from the age of 6. Introduced to basic drumming with the Raffles Institution Military Band, he started drumming at 13. This was followed by a 2-year stint with the Raffles Junior College Symphonic Band. The 6 years of drumming with the band was highlighted by 2 gold medallions from the Singapore Youth Festival Competitions and a top band award in 2001.

Yuchang's true passion for drumming was finally discovered when he was introduced to Afro-Brazilian percussion in 2005 when he joined Samba Masala. He has also played to crowds abroad in Los Angeles, London and most memorably, for the Drogheda Samba Festival in Ireland.

Initially a surdo player, Yuchang then moved on to pick up the caixa, which he continues to play for Sambiesta with great enjoyment today.

Currently pursuing degrees in business management and accountancy at SMU, Yuchang is intending to enter the banking sector upon graduation in 2009 – but will definitely continue to play great music alongside a bunch of very good friends.

Having been involved in music throughout his schooling days, it was a natural step for Wei Kiat to immerse himself in Samba music when the opportunity presented itself. Wei Kiat's passion for music also extends out of school with his involvements as a singer with the Victoria Chorale and guitarist with local pop-rock bands. Currently a Surdo player with Sambiesta, Wei Kiat hopes to tour the world making music and living the life of a rock star. That dream is currently hindered by the more realistic (and boring) ambition of climbing the corporate ladder.