But for many samba fanatics, drums are the beating heart of the party. And the maestro's hand swings, flicks, twists and pointing transform potential cacophony into transcendent synchrony.

And one’s free fingers can often signal a shift in dynamics. Drum queen Fabiola de Andrade from the Mocidade samba school smiles during Carnival celebrations at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro ...

And one’s free fingers can often signal a shift in dynamics. Drum queen Fabiola de Andrade from the Mocidade samba school smiles during Carnival celebrations at the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro, ...