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SPECIAL WORKSHOPS
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Workshops led by
special guests Kaoly Asano & GOCOO!
Limit is 20 per class
June 1 (Sunday)
10:00 am - 11:30 am: Taiko workshop with GOCOO! Basics for all!
A taiko workshop for total newcomers or for those playing for years, this workshop introduces the Kaoly ad GOCOO approach to taiko. This is a fun, short chance for all to learn how to use the center of your body and flow of movement to create sounds and grooves to play together by the original source.
Ages 12 years old and up
1:00 pm - 3:00 pm Wa no Ichi workshop
The piece is a great way to begin learning Kaoly’s groove style, where energy is driven by the tanden and movements. The course will also have opportunities to use your voice when learning patterns such as the Sun and Moon Phrase. These phrases, though different, are meant to play in harmony with each other; thus, this piece is also a helpful way to train yourself and your team to listen to surrounding parts and develop a stronger ability to play together. “Wa no Ichi” is an open source piece by Kaoly Asano that can be found on kaDON.
Recommended for those with some taiko or percussion experience.
Ages 12 years old and up
June 1 & 5 will be the same class- not a series, take one or both!
About kaDON: The best online space to learn Taiko and Flute. Join a growing community, access our training library and learn from the best instructors in the world and shop. kaDON is powered by Miyamoto Unosuke Shoten, the official instrument maker for the Emperor of Japan for over 90 years)
4:00 pm - 6:00 pm Mighty Drumming Club ELEVEN
Join Kaoly for a deeper dive into ELEVEN.
Limited to 14 to 19 years old
Recommended to have had some taiko experience.
June 5 (Thursday)
7:00 pm - 8:30 pm Taiko workshop with GOCOO! Basics for all!
A taiko workshop for total newcomers or for those playing for years, this workshop introduces the Kaoly ad GOCOO approach to taiko. This is a fun, short chance for all to learn how to use the center of your body and flow of movement to create sounds and grooves to play together by the original source.
June 1 & 5 will be the same class- not a series, take one or both!
Ages 12 years old and up
Kaoly Asano with GOCOO
ABOUT KAOLY
The first time Kaoly Asano saw taiko drumming, she felt a familiar sensation as if she was finally “home.” As the founder and lead drummer for GOCOO and its taiko school TAWOO Taiko Dojo, Kaoly has pioneered a free spirited approach that blends both tradition and innovation and appeals to a broad range of audiences. Her style of taiko is referred to as “tribal taiko” or “groove taiko” and builds its energy upon connections with those around us and our roots. With GOCOO, Kaoly has toured some of the biggest music festivals all over the world, such as the SZIGET Festival (Europe’s biggest music event), and has also been featured in the soundtracks of major motion pictures such as “The Matrix Reloaded.”
In 2019, Kaoly was the lead workshop instructor at the annual kaDON Retreat. The following year in February, she was a part of the star-studded cast of “HERbeat,” the first ever all-women taiko concert and production. Kaoly believes that through taiko, one is able to move freely and fully express themselves and she continues to share this message everywhere she goes.
Read more about Kaoly HERE
shortened “eleven” workshops
with
Emily Harada
Shortened Eleven Workshops
We’re happy to have Emily Harada lead monthly “Eleven” workshops. Kaoly Asano’s piece “Eleven” was introduced to TAM and friends in August 2024. Emily, Kaoly’s assistant instructors during her 2024 workshop tour, will be re-looking at the patterns, looking further at the nuances, and teaching new parts that weren’t focused on in the workshop. This workshop is open to everyone, but shortened to 90 minutes.
Preview Eleven with Kaoly Asano HERE (8:50)
These are not a series, but it is recommended to attend as many as possible to understand the movement. $30 per class
TBD
Taiko the Tawoo Way Workshop
(This workshop is completed). Come learn a style of taiko that is still new to being taught in America. This workshop is based on the fundamentals of Tokyo's Tawoo Dojo and Gocoo created by world wide known Kaoly Asano. These workshops will focus on introducing a one of a kind full body and spiritual style of playing. You will learn part of a Tawoo Dojo piece as a tool to understand movement. Please note, this does involve neck, spine, and leg movement.
What is Tawoo? Kaoly defines Tawoo to be a path or road of taiko. It was her 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
This is not a series, but it is recommended to attend as many as possible to understand the movement. $50 per class
TBD - please check back!
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Meet the Instructor:
Emily Harada
Emily began taiko at 7 years old with Ho Etsu Taiko in Chicago, IL. Following her time with Somei Taiko and as a trainee for Taiko Center of the Pacific, she returned to Ho Etsu as a performing member and helped with artistic development and teaching.
In search of meaning and identity, Emily quit her athletic training job and moved to Tokyo, Japan to study under premiere taiko leader (and "Finding HERbeat" artist) Kaoly Asano of Gocoo and Tawoo Dojo. Along the way, she also started learning Ushibuka Haiya minyo and kokyu. She has recently
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September 22, 2024 - two special workshops
Eien Hunter-Ishikawa and TAM Edo Bayashi Ensemble
1. EDO KOTOBUKI JISHI (CELEBRATORY LION DANCE OF OLD TOKYO) AND RYOMEN ODORI (DOUBLE-MASKED DANCE)
Dance demonstration and talk by Eien Hunter-Ishikawa and TAM Edo Bayashi Ensemble
Please join us in welcoming a shishi gashira (lion head) for the shishi mai (lion dance)!! TAM is purchasing an authentic shishi gashira from the Miyamoto store in Tokyo. It is hand-carved by a Japanese craftsman and is a handmade piece of art. We have also obtained two authentic masks, okame (friendly female mask) and warai (laughing male mask), for Ryomen Odori (double-masked dance). They are also hand-carved pieces of art by a Japanese craftsman, and they are eagerly awaiting their debut.
About TAM Edo Bayashi Ensemble
Demo and talk
September 22
4:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Location: TAM Studio, 655 Fairview Ave N, St. Paul
Fee: $10 or pay what you can at the door
Workshop Content:
1. Talk: Matsuri (festival) in Japan
2. Demo: Edo Kotobuki Jishi and Ryomen Odori
3. Q & A
4. Audience participation: Let's dance Shishi Mai (lion dance) and Ryomen Odori (double-masked dance)!
2. WORKSHOP BY EIEN HUNTER-ISHIKAWA:
ATARIGANE FOR NON-BEGINNERS
September 22
1:00 PM - 3:00 PM
Location: TAM Studio, 655 Fairview Ave N, St. Paul
Fee: $50
Workshop Content:
- Review the fundamentals: how to hold the instrument, basic rhythms and kuchishoga.
- Learn rhythms from Japanese traditional festival music.
- Learn a variety of rhythms and beyond.
* Please bring your atarigane if you own one. There are some extra atarigane you can use.
EIEN Hunter-ishikawa'S BIO
Eien Hunter-Ishikawa is a musician, educator, and composer specializing in taiko, shinobue, percussion, and shishimai. Recognized for his musicianship and versatility, he integrates his training in jazz, Western percussion, and traditional Japanese music to create an original, distinctive approach to instruction and performance. After receiving early training from Saburo Mochizuki of the renowned Tokyo ensemble Sukeroku Daiko, Eien earned his Bachelor of Music Education at Central Michigan University where he performed as a member of the Robert Hohner Percussion Ensemble. He received his Master of Music in Percussion Performance at the University of Hawaii at Manoa. During his seven years in Honolulu, he performed extensively as a member of the Kenny Endo Taiko Ensemble and taught classes at the Taiko Center of the Pacific. Eien has collaborated with many pioneers of innovative music including the Robert Hohner Percussion Ensemble, Kenny Endo, On Ensemble, John Kaizan Neptune, Alcvin Ryuzen Ramos, Colleen Lanki, Bruce Huebner, Masa Ishikawa, Patrick Graham, and the Vancouver Intercultural Orchestra. Eien is a passionate advocate of Edo Bayashi and Kotobuki Jishi and continues his study under Kyosuke Suzuki of Wakayama Taneo Shachu, a professional ensemble holding the distinction of Nationally Important Intangible Folk Cultural Asset. Eien is the founder of Portland Shishimai Kai, a group dedicated to the preservation and expansion of Edo Bayashi and Kotobuki Jishi by offering performances and workshops around North America and beyond. www.eienhunterishikawa.com
