Introduction to Taiko

This workshop will lead us through the history and cornerstone elements of Japan’s taiko drumming culture, from its roots to today’s innovations. Educators will experience the beauty, power, and artistic depth of taiko and have a chance to try model classroom activities. San Jose Taiko, whose friendship with Kodo has spanned many years, are among the leading figures in North American taiko, and will offer their extraordinary expertise in taiko and their unique insights into Kodo’s artistry.

San Jose Taiko has captivated global audiences with the powerful, spellbinding, and propulsive sounds of taiko, the Japanese drum. Founded in 1973 by young Asian Americans searching for a way to convey their experiences as third generation Japanese Americans, or Sansei, company performers express the beauty and harmony of the human spirit through the voice of the taiko as they strive to connect people through cultural understanding, creative expression, and rhythmic heartbeat.

SJT approaches taiko as a path to social action, community development, and Asian-American identity. This includes collaborations that highlight the work of peer communities of color, and adapting education programs to eliminate racial, social, and ability-based barriers to participation. As a contemporary taiko ensemble, they take equal inspiration from the Japanese roots of taiko and other global music and movement influences, reaching 50,000+ audiences and students each year. www.taiko.org

Stanford Live’s K-12 programs are generously supported by the Byers Family, The Koret Foundation, Stanford Office of Community Engagement, and additional donors to the Stanford Live K-12 Programs Fund.