Veruska Benedito

Hailing from Brazilian – Chilean heritage, Veruska is an experienced professional percussionist and dancer. Born in Concepción, Chile, into a home filled with rhythm, Veruska was deeply influenced by her parents—her mother, a dancer, and her father, Mister Onix, a Brazilian Sambista who brought his music to Chile in the 1970s. Inspired by his passion and artistry, she began playing samba-reggae as a teenager, eventually training in Afro-Brazilian Batucada, Candombe, and other Afro-Latin rhythms with r enowned masters, including members of Olodum.

From 2003 to 2020, she performed with various percussion and dance groups such as Batucada Babalaos, Alegría Geral, Bandita Bloco Chile, and Blocco Chile, where she also served as regional coordinator. A long-time dancer with Barrio Sur, she performed as a vedette at Las Llamadas in Uruguay in 2020, one of her most meaningful artistic milestones.

She has led percussion workshops, directed community projects, and served as musical director of Swingueira Batucada (2013–2020), an all-women group celebrating Afro-Bahian rhythms and feminine energy.

After moving abroad in 2020, she continued her artistic journey, joining Escola de Samba Sydney in 2023 and Bateria 61 community Samba percussion group in 2024. As a member of the Rio Projekt ensemble, Veruska’s work honours her roots and the legacy of her father, sharing the joy of Samba and Afro Brazilian culture wherever she goes.