Pandeiro can be learned in the US in almost any major city with a local Samba School. Here in Chicago I had the privlage to be a part of the Chicago Samba School (Sao Palo natives formed this group back in 1990 and is still going strong). A samba school typically plays Batucada (street samba).
This is an example of the batucada that I personally love.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F48QiwdE ... re=relatedAlso this is another side of the diverse Samba sound. This is a Samba Rock group that was a leading "World Beat" act in Chicago in the 90's.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m6zRqsOg ... er&list=ULhttp://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gztDmjkx ... er&list=ULEnjoy, by the way Carnival season is around the corner.
Jerry