Kristy “Aki” Oshiro (they/them) is a queer, trans and non-binary, 4th generation Japanese Okinawan-American professional taiko artist based in Sacramento and the San Francisco Bay Area with over 30 years of experience. Founder and Artistic Director of the Tsubaki Ensemble, Queer Taiko, and SOKO Taiko, Creative Director of Placer Ume Taiko, and instructor of San Mateo Buddhist Temple Taiko. Aki also teaches taiko drumming classes in many cities from Nevada City to San Mateo and is available for group performances, touring, collaborations, school assemblies, residencies, workshops, private lessons, original compositions, corporate team building, rearrangement work, and artistic consultation.
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About Aki Oshiro
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Workshop 1—Mastering Bachi Twirling: Elevate Your Skills
Join us for an engaging and dynamic workshop focused on the art of bachi twirling! Whether you’re a seasoned twirler or a complete beginner, this workshop is designed to enhance your skills and optimize the beauty of your movements. We’ll start with the essential elements of proper form, ensuring that you understand the basics that make your twirls shine. Then we’ll learn now our arm movements influence our twirling, creating a harmonious flow. All our knowledge will come together in a fun and challenging practice song that incorporates various rhythms, allowing you to put your twirling into context and share your newfound skills with others. Bring your chudaiko bachi.
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Workshop 2—Mastering Bachi Twirling: Elevate Your Skills
Join us for an engaging and dynamic workshop focused on the art of bachi twirling! Whether you’re a seasoned twirler or a complete beginner, this workshop is designed to enhance your skills and optimize the beauty of your movements. We’ll start with the essential elements of proper form, ensuring that you understand the basics that make your twirls shine. Then we’ll learn now our arm movements influence our twirling, creating a harmonious flow. All our knowledge will come together in a fun and challenging practice song that incorporates various rhythms, allowing you to put your twirling into context and share your newfound skills with others. Bring your chudaiko bachi.
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Workshop 3—Drumming Across Surfaces: Multi-Drum Basics
Dive into the rhythm and excitement of drumming across multiple taiko! This workshop will focus on essential techniques to enhance your ability to move your bachi seamlessly from drum to drum. We will cover the basics of coordinating your movements as you play on various drums, building your confidence and skill, engage in targeted exercises designed to help you transition smoothly between drums, enhancing your overall drumming fluency, and combine everything into a lively and enjoyable practice exercise that you can incorporate into your own taiko practice. Bring lightweight shime/ okedo bachi.