The first time I experienced Taiko drumming was at SakuraCon in Seattle, WA. I remember feeling the thump of the drums deep in my chest. It reminded me of being too close to a 4th of July fireworks show, except instead of awe and fear, taiko brought me awe and excitement. I went to every single taiko performance at the con that weekend; different performing groups and different songs spoke to my soul. The next time I went to SakuraCon, I did the same. Watching and listening was thrilling.

During the post-con blues after returning from SakuraCon one year, I turned to my wife and nearly shouted, “Why can’t we do taiko?” A google search later, I got in touch with Kenshin Taiko and we went to the next practice we could. There was never a hesitation that I wanted taiko in my life from then on.

I have started learning to maintain and repair drums, and I’m currently researching how to build them from scratch.

There are many things that taiko gives back to me for the time I give it: brilliant fun, true friends, great workouts, thrilling performances, joyful audiences; and not least, meditation.

Founder
Chairman of the Board

I first experienced a taiko performance as an elementary school teacher at a school function, and IT SHOOK ME!!!! Literally and spirituality! I knew immediately that I needed taiko in my life!

Taiko provides me with the opportunity to express myself through music, work on my fitness goals, interact with some of the BEST people, and give back to my community. I'm so excited to be a member of the taiko community! I hope to grow and hone my own skills, bring new research about rhythmic therapy into my teaching practice, work towards integrating other percussion therapies into fun and child-friendly interventions, and help inspire a new generation of drummers.

Founding Member of the Board

As a child, I always listened to the Scottish pipe and drum bands and enjoyed them. When I was a teenager, my parents took me to the Polynesian Cultural Center in Hawaii. I heard the drums of Tonga and Samoa and instantly fell in love. I attended the U of U on a percussion scholarship playing the piano, marimba and vibraphone, but something was just... missing. Years later, I was googling drum performances to watch, and found Kenshin taiko. I showed up for practice, and the director handed me two sticks. "Let's go make thunder!" she said. I never looked back. I felt like I'd been missing my right arm and suddenly it was reattached. I spent countless hours making and studying videos for a few months, until I could perform every song Kenshin had. I've said often that taiko is the love of my life, and I love sharing that love with others.In 2021, I volunteered on my days off to help Sistema Utah with their bucket band class at American Preparatory Academy. Within a few weeks, I was hired to create a taiko program for their West Valley 2 location. The program has grown from 3 students to 24, and we now have a performance group, Hyoshi, that has played at several events, including APA's holiday boutique, Hogle Zoo's lights on, and Chalk the Walk. Our Sistema program at the West Valley 1 location is joining us this year, and we hope to organize another group with other schools and many more performances!

Member of the Board