2026 WORKSHOPS
Workshops are open to all, from newbies to seasoned players! Take a look below at this year's workshop schedule:
BLOCK 1: Saturday Aug 8th, 10:00am - 12:30pm
BLOCK 2: Saturday Aug 8th, 2:00pm - 4:30pm
BLOCK 3: Sunday Aug 9th, 10:00am - 12:30pm
BLOCK 4: Sunday Aug 9th, 2:00pm - 4:30pm
Workshop Block 1
Saturday, August 8th
10:00am - 12:30pm
Beta Stance Basics: Build a Base for Wellness and Confidence
Facilitator: Carley Okamura
This workshop explores the fundamentals of stance and strikes when playing taiko in a beta (flat) position. Join Carley Okamura to focus on physical wellness while playing, and how to build confidence for both performance and personal growth. Participants will learn the details of posture and basic strikes, and explore more through drills and activities. Each participant's goals can be met through these foundational exercises, in a fun and supportive atmosphere!
BEGINNER Workshop - no prior taiko experience required
TaikoPeace
Facilitator: PJ Hirabayashi
TaikoPeace is a movement started by PJ Hirabayashi in 2008 to spread the kinetic energy, spiritual vibration, and pure joy of Japanese taiko drumming for positive social change and a peaceful world. It exists because within the taiko community lies infinite, untapped creative potential and a legion of talented, mindful activators ready to be disruptive in ways that heal, serve, and bring more joy to the world. TaikoPeace workshops led by PJ are one-of-a-kind intimate experiences designed to take your body, mind, and spirit on a journey of self-empowerment. Taiko drumming, dance and body movement, chanting, singing, haiku, and journaling are among the modalities used by PJ to allow participants to connect with themselves and with each other.
Learn more about TaikoPeace HERE
ALL LEVELS Workshop - Only an open mind and open heart are required to attend
Intermediate Miyake - From the Core to the Drum
Facilitator: Ame no Ato
Miyake is both a style of taiko and the name of the festival piece where the rhythms are relatively simple, bringing the focus to the form and the sound produced. Through this workshop, participants will review the fundamentals of Miyake: stance, technique, and rhythm pattern. Additionally, the concept of core engagement will be introduced, which enables a stronger form and improved sound. Adding core engagement further enhances the understanding of the fundamentals and participants will be able to apply these through targeted drills. Participants may bring specific questions to help tailor their experience with their needs. This workshop is for intermediate levels who are familiar with the stance, stroke, and theme patterns.
INTERMEDIATE Workshop - prior Miyake experience required
Workshop Block 2
Saturday, August 8th
2:00pm - 4:30pm
Wishlist (New Repertoire)
Facilitator: Wy Joung Kou
Want to learn a new song to challenge yourself, share back with your group, or just try something new? Wishlist is an open source song composed in 2025 by Wy Joung Kou (RAW Taiko). Played on beta style chu, it is an upbeat and dynamic piece that invites drummers to connect song rhythms to expressive movements and boisterous kiai in its signature chorus. Along with a unique accenting section that, in contrast to the movement focused chorus, will call on your inner sense of rhythm and timing, this workshop will focus on a range of skills through repertoire learning. This workshop will move at a brisk pace in order to cover these two main sections, and is intended for intermediate players with prior taiko experience. Preview a teaser of the song HERE
INTERMEDIATE Workshop - prior taiko experience required
Inter-Generational Japanese-Canadian Experiences in Taiko
Facilitator: Justin Plummer
This part guided discussion/part workshop will connect the contemporary practice of Taiko with the Japanese diasporic (nikkei) experience. We will share our experiences on ranging topics including: cultural authenticity, family history, the broad histories of Taiko and nikkei people in Canada, the ways our ages and generation impacts our experiences, the role of language, kumi-daiko styles, cultural preservation and evolution. We will also explore different regional styles and explore how as a diasporic community, we often practice styles originating from regions in Japan that are not where our families had emigrated from. We will conclude by synthesizing our combined experiences into a short representative taiko piece that we can take with us.
ALL LEVELS Workshop - All are welcome
Naname (Slant Style) - Playing with Your Whole Body
Facilitator: Yurika Chiba
This workshop on naname fundamentals will focus on using lower-body engagement and movement. Through sections of Yurika’s composition “Wagamama,” you'll find both power in striking the taiko as well as fluidity, by learning how to use your entire body to play taiko. Originating from her 20 years with San Jose Taiko, Yurika’s naname style incorporates exploration of personal creative movement through intentional visual and musical expression.
ALL LEVELS Workshop - beginners and experienced players both welcome
Workshop Block 3
Sunday, August 9th
10:00am - 12:30pm
Getting Comfortable with Soloing
Facilitator: Hiroshi Koshiyama
Does being featured as a soloist intimidate you? Are you uncomfortable making up music on the spot? Even the most rhythmically challenged person can learn to solo. Learn some basic timing drills and technique to start your journey to improvising. It’s never too early (or too late) to start. Participants should be familiar with basic taiko skills and technique.
BEGINNER-INTERMEDIATE Workshop - basic taiko experience recommended
Vocalizing with Taiko - Beyond Kiai, let’s Shigin like Samurai!
Facilitator: Noriko Kobayashi
Inject some samurai spirit into your taiko presentation using shigin with Kobayashi Kokusei (小林國誠), Honryu Renshi: Certified Instructor of Authentic Lineage ( 本流練士), Japan Kokusei-ryu School of Shigin (日本國誠流詩吟会)
First section - Tone Production: Connect with your breath to produce tone and learn some shigin vocal drills. Then we will examine the connection between breath//taiko hit and practise some easy chants with taiko.
Second section - Shigin (Chinese classical poetry chanting) has its roots in Confucian-derived classical Chinese culture and formed the basis of a samurai education. We will learn a beginner's shigin and drills supported with different tools for practise.
Conclusion - We will look at different ways to incorporate shigin in a taiko composition or with taiko improvisation. Resources for further study will be shared. Beginners to vocals/taiko welcome. No Japanese necessary. This is a musical focus - no poetry analysis.
ALL LEVELS Workshop - no prior experience required
Odaiko Fundamentals - Introduction to the Big Drum
Facilitator: Ame no Ato
Odaiko is a modern style of taiko playing, born in the early years of modern taiko (Wadaiko), on big drums as the name implies. It is an impressive style to witness both from the powerful sounds coming from the drum as well as the dynamic movements from the player. Given the large sound potential of the taiko, Odaiko playing draws a greater benefit from developing full use of the body by drawing out the maximum potential while minimizing injury. We will introduce the foundational elements of odaiko playing with an emphasis on efficient body use. As an introduction to odaiko, participants will be guided through stance, grip, and stroke using basic drills.
BEGINNER Workshop - no prior experience required
Workshop Block 4
Sunday, August 9th
2:00pm - 4:30pm
Drills & Thrills for Self-Propelled Taiko
Facilitator: Margaret McKenty
Wondering how to refresh your practice routine, make progress when you’re not sure of your next step, or just spice up classes or rehearsals with some fun challenges? This workshop offers road-tested drills and practice strategies for beginner-to-intermediate taiko players, and anyone in the taiko hinterland who wants to enhance their skills while waiting for their next sensei to materialize. All workshop content is human-generated, open-source, and shareable, incorporating current motor learning principles, and can be adapted to differing levels of experience and assorted drum kata. Expand your practice toolkit, keep up your momentum to improve, and build more joy into your taiko journey!
BEGINNER-INTERMEDIATE Workshop - basic taiko experience recommended
Tokyo Shishimai (Lion Dance) - History and Demonstration
Co-Facilitators: Mathew Jacqmin-Kramer & Eien Hunter-Ishikawa
Experience the rhythms and movements of Tokyo performing arts through Edo Kotobuki Jishi, the traditional celebratory shishimai (lion dance) of Tokyo. Via live demonstration, conversation, and hands-on activities, participants will have the chance to learn about shishimai in the style of premiere performing group Wakayama Shachū, designated a Nationally Important Intangible Folk Cultural Asset by the government of Japan. Together with special guest Eien Hunter-Ishikawa, we will explore this shishimai's history and context, how it continues to evolve, and how the study of traditional arts can inform our approaches to taiko more broadly. We will also take a closer look at the instruments used by the ensemble, including the shimedaiko (high-pitched taiko), okedo daiko (low-pitched taiko), shinobue (bamboo flute), and kane (handheld gong). After our demonstration and discussion, participants will have the opportunity to learn a section of the mai (dance) and shimedaiko accompaniment. No prior taiko experience is required.
ALL LEVELS - no prior taiko experience required
Butoh & Taiko
Facilitator: Young Park
Butoh and taiko emerged around the same time period (Butoh in 1959, taiko in 1951). In both forms, originators were seeking to stretch out of the understood, the traditional. "Butoh is a response to some connection or emotional place inside the dancer, who creates the external form" (Sara Zalek). It also has a particular sensibility of embodying time. Using Butoh movement exercises, workshop participants will explore and experience their individual physical and emotional journey to the drums.
INTERMEDIATE Workshop - prior taiko and/or movement experience required.