Guest Performers

Odaiko player/Koji Nakamura

Koji Nakamura started his taiko drumming career in 1982 as a member of Ondekoza, and through great devotion and discipline, developed superb taiko drumming skills. As the former leader of the Shumei Taiko Ensemble for almost two decades, Koji Nakamura has performed all over the world. With the ensemble he performed at numerous locations, which include the Parliament of the World's Religions in South Africa and the Millennium World Peace Summit at the United Nations in New York. In 2005 he moved to Pasadena with his family.

In the summer of 1992-driven by a passion to play the taiko-Tomo No Kai alumnus Peggy Kamon founded Jodaiko of the University of California, Irvine. Initially practicing on old tires, Jodaiko began learning basic forms and techniques of taiko and eventually composed original songs and built taiko with the help of Victor Fukuhara of Kokoro Taiko Kai. Over the years Jodaiko has developed its repertoire and structure with the help of various taiko and structural influences such as the UCI Cross Cultural Center, the UCI Office of the Dean of Students, Kishin Daiko and San Jose Taiko.

The group recruits new players during the fall quarter of every academic year. Through a five to seven week training process, prospective new members are taught the knowledge of taiko, passed down by past generations of Jodaiko. This is a result of Jodaiko's trait of not being under the direct influence of an existent Sensei (teacher), and being almost entirely self-taught. This year they will also be celebrating their 15th year as they continue to learn and share knowledge of taiko as a Japanese and Japanese-American cultural performance art form.

Through educational partnerships as well as performances and workshops, Jodaiko strives to serve as an arena for taiko knowledge, expression, and collaboration with other creative arts.

Makoto Taiko Group was formed on July 11th, 1999 by Steven Tokunaga. Makoto Taiko has played at many venues over the past 6 years, including the Prayer Vigil in Washington D.C., World Festival of Sacred Music in Torrance last year, the Catskill Mountain Cultural Festival in New York, the African American Museum in L.A., various churches around greater LA, the Japanese Summer Festival in Torrance, and several performances at Shumei Hall for the Shumei Arts Council.

Yoki Daiko

Yoki Daiko (Joyous Drumming) was formed during the summer of 1996 at the Tenrikyo Church in response to spirited enthusiasm by its members to put together a taiko group. Through the dynamic energy of taiko, Yoki Daiko strives to share their efforts to create a joyous life where all people of the world can live together as brother and sister.

Yoki Daiko has performed at various community events such as the Los Angeles Lotus Festival and Nisei Week Taiko Gathering. In 2002, Yoki Daiko visited Japan and performed in an annual event held in the city of Tenri.

Yoki Daiko conducts a youth program, named Chibi Taiko, and introductory classes for adults to teach the fundamentals of taiko, posture, and rhythm basics.