Shinobue Basics - Masato Baba

We will explore breathing techniques, simple drills, and scales to help a beginning fue player open their ears and work on fingering. Participants should own a number six, seven, or eight uta bue which is tuned to a western scale.

From Spoken Word To Taiko - Chizuko Endo 
Exercises promoting spontaneity, self expression, and creativity through rhythm, words and sounds will be explored. Small groups will be formed based on common interests to create a written piece (poetry/rap/story). The written works will become the basis for a taiko piece: recited and transformed into rhythmic patterns for taiko; juxtaposed within a taiko piece; or…?

Ji Patterns and Improvisation - Kenny Endo
One of taiko's major roles in traditional Japanese music is as an accompaniment for theater, dance, and other music genres. In kumi daiko the art of correctly propelling the music and supporting the soloists through solid ji playing (base beat) are often overlooked. Basic kumi daiko ji patterns as well as patterns from traditional music will be explained. We will practice the elements that go into making a musical and exciting improvised solo. Internalizing the beat, soloing within a group context, timing, and performing as a soloist will also be covered. Spontaneity, phrasing, and thematic soloing will be introduced. A great improvised solo will not only raise the energy level of performance but transport everyone to another place. Explore the creativity you have within yourself.

Yodan Fundamentals - Michael Gonhata 
Yodan is a drumming method developed by Sukeroku Taiko where performers play on two drums simultaneously utilizing advanced naname technique. This workshop will focus on learning specific patterns and movements as taught to me by Kiyonari Tosha Sensei. We will cover ji, fluid arm movement and body weight distribution. A strong foundation in basic naname playing would be helpful but not required. Students will need to bring Chu daiko bachi, preferably kashi or maple.

Introduction To Ukulele - Rick Jitchaku
Description Coming Soon!

Omiyage Introduction - Shoji Kameda 
The workshop will lay a strong foundation for understanding and performing the piece Omiyage. The fundamental concept that one needs to understand in order to play Omiyage is the ability to generate our motion from the core. This workshop takes participants through a step by step process so that they can understand how best to position their bodies and how to turn simple motions from the core into more complicated phrases.

Katsugi Okedo Basics - Kristy Aki Oshiro 
Have you always wanted to learn the basics of this style of taiko or do you have some experience but could use some help on how to feel more comfortable and capable? Then this workshop is for you! In this workshop we will cover how to wear the okedo, how to hit, as well as how to move while drumming. You will also learn a short practice song you can take back with you. Bring: katsugi okedo bachi (non-tapered ho bachi), and katsugi okedo if you have one.

Transcription For Taiko - Sho'on Shibata
Musical transcription is the art of listening to music and representing what is heard through music notation. Transcription is useful for improving musical listening skills and building rhythmic vocabulary, which can help you with improvisation, composition, learning music by ear, and learning songs more quickly. This workshop is for people who would like to improve their overall musicianship. Through ear training practice and a basic understanding of rhythmic theory, we will learn to identify common taiko idioms and how you can apply them to your own playing.

Fun With Fundamentals - Tiffany Tamaribuchi

Working on fundamentals doesn’t have to be boring! This workshop will help develop basic kihon/fundamental techniques designed to help you play with greater ease, control, speed, and power. It will also help develop techniques to care for your body and prevent injury. Strong fundamentals ultimately allow for a greater expression of spirit when playing, and this workshop will bring a strong sense of spirit to how we approach learning fundamentals. 

Bring: bachi (chudaiko and shime)

Naname Mechanics - Fred Visaya, Jr.
The Japanese word ‘Naname’ translates to ‘slant’, and refers to the position in which the taiko is played - a diagonal/slant orientation. This introductory workshop will focus on learning Naname-style fundamentals including stance, grip and striking techniques. In this workshop, students will be introduced to various patterns and drills that will help with form and timing.

Shinobue Intermediate - Masato Baba
This workshop will focus on introducing scales, drills, and harmony geared towards writing songs and improvising. Participants should own a number six, seven, or eight uta bue which is tuned to a western scale. Participants should be relatively comfortable with getting a decent sound out of their fue.

Channeling Energy In A Positive Way - Chizuko Endo
A workshop for those teaching taiko to kids. Best practices, games, and simple pieces that are fun, and promote learning and creativity will be shared.

Odaiko Kihon - Kenny Endo
Basics for performing on the 'big drum' will include stance, grip, hitting techniques, training tips, maximizing sounds, and relaxing. Traditional Kabuki patterns on the odaiko will also be introduced. A practice odaiko piece, Odaiko Kakeai Kihon Kyoku (an open source piece), will be taught focusing on fundamentals, simple improvisation, base beat patterns, and becoming more comfortable and dynamic at performing the odaiko.

Yodan Beyond - Michael Gonhata
This workshop in Yodan will teach advanced techniques needed for playing solos and/or with another drummer. Techniques will build on basic patterns, incorporating dynamic arm movements and footwork that allow the player seamless transitions between two drums. After this lesson, students will understand advanced skills needed to develop their own solos. Previous yodan experience is preferred. Students will need to bring Chu daiko bachi, preferably kashi or maple.

Introduction To Ukulele - Rick Jitchaku
Description Coming Soon!

The Rhythmic Composers Toolkit - Shoji Kameda
When we compose taiko pieces we often have a rhythm or idea but don’t know what to do with it. This workshop gives participants a great set of tools that they can apply to their rhythms or phrases that will help them develop their idea into something more substantial. These tools are also very useful in developing solos and composing entire pieces.

Basics Of Playing On Multiple Drums - Kristy Aki Oshiro
This workshop will cover basic techniques of how to drum on more than one drum at a time. The exercises you will learn will help you feel more comfortable moving your bachi from drum to drum. By the end of the workshop you will have learned a fun practice exercise to take back with you. Bring: shime bachi or okedo bachi (ho bachi).

Drills For Skills -Sho'on Shibata
Drills for Skills is all about improving fundamental drumming skills such as timing, sticking, bachi control, and coordination, through the time-tested drill and practice method. Systematic practice places emphasis on building rhythmic vocabulary and musical flexibility, while repetition aims to improve concentration and technique execution. We will cover how to practice independently and explore ways to incorporate these drills for group practice settings.

Spirit And Stage Presence - Tiffany Tamaribuchi

Conveying spirit in taiko is an essential part of performance. This workshop will help participants develop stage awareness so that they can perform with greater intentionality and expression. 

Bring: bachi (chudaiko and shime)

Jack Bazaar Taster - Fred Visaya, Jr.
Jack Bazaar (composition by Kris Bergstrom) features dynamic choreography and challenging slant-drum multi-tone rhythms. Specifically requested by the National Theater of Japan for performance in the 2013 Nihon no Taiko concert, Jack Bazaar is one of the taiko world's most exciting compositions. In this workshop, students will be introduced to Jack Bazaar’s famous sections, such as ‘Murder’ and ‘Maracas’ - known for their dynamic choreography and multi-tone rhythms.

Shinobue Basics - Masato Baba
We will explore breathing techniques, simple drills, and scales to help a beginning fue player open their ears and work on fingering. Participants should own a number six, seven, or eight uta bue which is tuned to a western scale.

Chudaiko Call and Answer - Chizuko Endo
Excerpts from Kenny Endo’s Rites of Thundering will be the basis for call and answers between drummers on the chudaiko.

Solid Shimedaiko Playing - Kenny Endo
This class will concentrate on the intricate shime daiko techniques and patterns found in the lively festival music of Edo Bayashi (Tokyo festival music). Emphasis will be on timing, playing with precision, grip, sound, nori (groove), and relaxing. Good shime daiko technique will improve your technique on all sized taiko.

Yodan Beyond - Michael Gonhata
This workshop in Yodan will teach advanced techniques needed for playing solos and/or with another drummer. Techniques will build on basic patterns, incorporating dynamic arm movements and footwork that allow the player seamless transitions between two drums. After this lesson, students will understand advanced skills needed to develop their own solos. Previous yodan experience is preferred. Students will need to bring Chu daiko bachi, preferably kashi or maple.

Omiyage Masterclass - Shoji Kameda
This workshop is for players who have some experience with the piece Omiyage. This workshop will focus on drills and exercises that will deepen players understanding of the timing and movement of key phrases. This workshop will also focus on how best to teach Omiyage to other players and what teachers should think about and focus on when they teach Omiyage.

Holehole Bushi - Chad Nakagawa

Holehole Bushi is a collection of work songs created by the Japanese immigrants who worked on the sugar plantations in Hawaii.  This workshop will focus on the history behind these folk songs and the lyrics and melodies that go along with it.  Participants should bring an Utabue/Fue #8.  Additionally, participants may bring their own ukulele, but there will also be ukuleles available.

Bachi Twirling - Kristy Aki Oshiro
Whether you have lots of experience twirling bachi or none at all, this workshop will challenge you to optimize the appearance of your twirls through the foundation of proper form and the twirls' relationship with the movement of your arms. We will also put the twirls into the context of different rhythms through learning a short practice song that you can take back with you.

Beta Uchi - Sho'on Shibata
This session covers a fundamental approach to Beta Uchi, with the primary focus on learning to use gravity and the full body for an efficient production of sound. We will cover: stretches and exercises to strengthen and relax the body, an explanation of grip-styles and home practices to increase grip strength, how to use different Beta-uchi striking techniques depending on the tempo to reduce body tension, and the mechanics of using body weight for powerful strikes.

Ji, Do You Have A Pulse? - Tiffany Tamaribuchi

Through this exploration of backbeat rhythms, participants will gain a greater understanding and appreciation for the underlying feel and groove conveyed through ji.

Bring: bachi (chudaiko and shime)

Bon-Daiko - Fred Visaya, Jr.
Bon Daiko is the drumming performed during one of the biggest festivals in Japan called 'Obon'. This workshop will briefly cover Naname(slant)-style fundamentals and basic Bon Daiko rhythms and choreography. Students will also be introduced to popular Obon songs and rhythms such as 'Hokkai Bon Uta'.