CLASS LOCATION

TAM STUDIO
655 Fairview Ave N, St. Paul, MN 55104

Inside Fairview Business Center.
From main doors, walk down the hallway to the right of the stairs
Take your first left, and we right there.

You may need to type in “taiko” into the directory if the doors are locked.

Please bring water & indoor shoes for class (mask optional),
and wear loose clothing. Please refrain from using fragrances.

Check the Calendar for class schedules. Please note all classes subject to change. If you’re unsure which class to take, please email Craig at cjohnson@taikoartsmidwest.org or info@taikoartsmidwest.org

Please note all classes subject to change.
PLEASE REGISTER TO BE NOTIFIED FOR LAST MINUTE CHANGES
DUE TO WEATHER OR LOW ENROLLMENT.

INTRODUCTORY CLASSES & WORKSHOPS

Come drum with us - no experience necessary!  (Ages 13+)
Join in the fun! Learn basic taiko form (kata), rhythms, and history.

We offer two options for beginner students:

A. TAIKO INTRO WORKSHOP

This Two-Hour Workshop gives a taste or "crash course" of the taiko experience.
Tuition: $50 ticket
Upcoming 2026 Workshops:

B. TAIKO INTRO SERIES - 6 WEEKS

This series gives a more in-depth taiko experience.
Tuition: $200

with Chaiki O’Brien

Next Series: April 7 - May 12 Tuesdays 5:30 - 7:00pm CT

New Classes

Taiko hodgepodge class with with Craig Johnson

Wednesdays 7 - 8:30pm, starting January 7

Parent Child Class with Emily harada

Wednesdays 5:30 - 6:30pm February 25, March 18, and April 29

Power Drumming with Megan Chao Smith

Saturdays series 12:30 - 2pm 1/10 - 6/13/2026 (no class 1/17)

Mid-day Improv/ Solo/ Creative Hour (1x/month) with Emily Harada

Noon - 1pm, Wednesdays March 11 & April 8

TAWOO taiko 2-hours with Emily Harada

Sundays @10am - Noon March 15 - April 12

UPDATE: Cancelled due to low registration:

• Uchikomi / Rendad with Emily Harada

• Hachijo Daiko Hour with Emily harada

ONGOING STUDIO CLASS DESCRIPTIONS

If you’re unsure which class to take, please email Craig at cjohnson@taikoartsmidwest.org or info@taikoartsmidwest.org

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TICKETED CLASSES

Parent Child class with Emily Harada

wednesdays 5:30-6:30 pm

This once a month class will focus on the basics of taiko, memorization, and how to play together. Drop in to any or all classes!

AGE RESTRICTIONS: Turning 7 yo in 2026 - 10 years old; (Kids older than 10 are welcomed to join, but content may be slow for them).

LIMIT: 6 pairs/groups

Ticket: $40 for one pair

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Uchikomi/Renda with emily harada

Mornings @6:45am - 7:30 am, 45 min

March 5, 19 April 9, 23

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Mid-day Improv/ Solo/ Creative Hour (once a month)

with Emily Harada

Noon - 1pm, Wednesdays 3/11, 4/8

A new class! Wanted drum time to practice solo-ing? This hour is meant to provide a safe, welcoming, non-judgemental space to improvise and jam. It’s not a performance, it’s a chance to be free! Each session will begin with a long warm up to get our bodies moving, and then cycling through each improvisation. Drop in when you want. The theme for January and February is Naname!

RESTRICTIONS: For January and February, you must have some taiko experience. Uncertain if you qualify? Email us!

 New to taiko? Check back for March, or check out our other classes.

Class LIMIT: 12

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NEW TAWOO taiko 2-hours with Emily Harada

Sunday 10am - Noon March 15, 22, 29. April 5, 12, 26 May 3, 10

You saw them in June, now’s your chance to try starting October 5 (Sun)! Learn the fundamentals of Tokyo's TAWOO Dojo and GOCOO created by Kaoly Asano. Workshops will introduce a one of a kind full body and spiritual style of playing.

You will learn the encore piece from this year’s tour, JAMBO, and a chance to perform at the student recital. Please note, this does involve neck, spine, and leg movement. We will work on JAMBO this year, and focus on a different song in 2026.

What is Tawoo? Tawoo is a path or road of taiko. It was Kaoly's wish to provide a place for paths where you can discover, experience, develop energy, and find others on their own paths.

Read more about TAWOO HERE or watch HERE

Recommended to attend all classes with possibility of performing at the student recital. Drop-ins are welcomed.

Tickets: $30 ticket

ONGOING STUDIO CLASS DESCRIPTIONS

If you’re unsure which class to take, please email Craig at cjohnson@taikoartsmidwest.org or info@taikoartsmidwest.org

See Class calendar in Punchpass to buy punchcards:

PUNCHCARD CLASSES

TAIKO ENERGY – BASICS

Sundays 12:30pm - 2:00pm
Teacher: Chiaki O'Brien
Level: Beginner - Intermediate

Requirements: Intro to Taiko Series or recent taiko experience; teacher discretion
This class will focus taiko basics and will be taught at a slower pace. Perfect for those who recently completed the Intro Series class, or for those who want to slow down and focus on the basic.

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TAIKO ENERGY - INTERMEDIATE

Saturdays 11am - 12:30pm

Teacher: Vanessa East

Experience requirements: Enso Daiko’s Taiko Energy Basics; 1+ years; teacher discretion

This class focuses on expanding and refining students' vocabulary of taiko rhythms, movements, and styles. Perfect for those with one or more years of experience who are looking to level up their technique and repertoire.

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TAIKO ENERGY – ADVANCED

Sundays 6:30pm - 8:00pm

Teacher: Craig Johnson

Requirements: Enso Daiko’s Taiko Energy Intermediate; 3+ years previous taiko experience; teacher discretion

This class is currently covering Shoji Kameda’s Omiyage, as well as drills to increase bachi control and timing accuracy.

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taiko hodgepodge ~NEW class~

Wednesdays 7 - 8:30pm

Teacher: Craig Johnson

This new ongoing class will shift topics regularly, from Enso repertoire, open source pieces, and drills, as well as instructions on use and care for the drums and equipment we use often. Initial 4-6 week focus will be one of the most famous taiko songs, Yodan Uchi by Oedo Sukeroku Taiko.

This is a special opportunity as Enso Daiko is one of the few groups given permission to teach this piece.

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Power Drumming class

Saturdays 12:30 - 2pm

Saturday series 1/10 - 6/13/2026

Teacher: Megan Chao Smith

Get ready for power drumming! Combine this class with your hard work to develop high level skills, approach, and practice habits to grow into a strong and powerful performer.

You will receive drills, technique, and practice to play with your entire body. Learn UTSU HACHIJO song to prepare for possible special student performance in June. Focus on Yataibayashi style, and also engage in regular shime-daiko drills, for sticking, speed, and precision training with metronome, all brought to students from my own training with professional Japanese taiko group, SHIDARA.

Requirements:

• Must have taken a taiko class with TAM before, and bring own bachi, or order new bachi at the start of the series.

• Must learn music on own time after introductory instruction time, and receipt of the musical score. 

• Be willing to learn and practice Japanese etiquette.

• Be willing and interested to play with your whole body and unleash power in new ways!

• Regular attendance required