What is the title of the percussion leader who directs a Rio samba school’s bateria?

Mestre de bateria is the title of the percussion leader who directs a Rio samba school’s bateria.

The bateria is the school’s percussion ensemble, responsible for driving the rhythmic foundation of the parade. Its instruments can include surdos, caixas, tamborins, repiniques, cuícas, and agogôs. The mestre de bateria organizes the musicians, establishes rhythmic patterns, and signals breaks, changes, and special effects.

The role requires both musical authority and parade awareness. The bateria must support the singers and dancers while maintaining the tempo needed for the school to advance along the parade route. Its performance is an important part of the judging system.

This title should not be confused with mestre-sala, the male dancer who performs with the porta-bandeira, or puxador, the lead singer who guides the samba-enredo. Those roles belong to different parts of the school’s presentation.