Teams
Stanford Taiko
Stanford University
Stanford Taiko is Stanford University’s resident taiko ensemble. With over 30 years of history, we aim to spread the art of Japanese American ensemble drumming to the local community.
Ahiru Daiko
University of Oregon
Founded in 2010, Ahiru Daiko is the University of Oregon’s taiko drumming ensemble. Ahiru Daiko is committed to practicing the art form of taiko and sharing taiko music with the UO and Eugene community through performance and collaboration. They strive to inspire future students to join them in their love for taiko and to keep this tradition alive for many years to come. GO DUCKS!
Asayake Taiko
University of California, San Diego
Asayake Taiko is a group from the University of California, San Diego. “Asayake” means “morning glow” in Japanese and invokes the image of the early morning light playing on the ocean mist in La Jolla. Today, Asayake Taiko strives to promote awareness of taiko in the San Diego area through cultural events, high school conferences, and university functions.
Bakuhatsu Taiko Dan
University of California, Davis
Bakuhatsu Taiko Dan, meaning “explosion,” is a student-run performing ensemble at UC Davis dedicated to cultivating musical and personal development, fostering creativity and self-expression, and sharing our love of taiko with the community through the teaching and performing of taiko. As a part of the UC Davis student community since 2001, Bakuhatsu Taiko Dan is open to all students and celebrates its diverse backgrounds with the goal of engaging in broader artistic and cultural themes as part of the North American Taiko and Asian American communities.
hidaka Taiko
Seattle University
We are Hidaka Taiko, a taiko group at Seattle University in the heart of Capitol Hill! We bring the hype, rain or shine. Founded by Yukiyo Mitsuishi, Kurumi Naoi, and Chie Ikoma in 2016, Hidaka Taiko is dedicated to spreading Japanese culture, energy, and spirit.
Jodaiko
University of California, Irvine
Jodaiko, now in its 33rd year since inception, is a collegiate taiko group that brings the Japanese art of taiko to UCI and southern California. Established in 1992 by Peggy Kamon and David Shiwota, “Jodaiko” means “passionate drumming” in Japanese, the perfect description for this energetic and passionate group.
Kazan Taiko
University of Southern California
Kazan Taiko is the one and only Japanese taiko drumming ensemble at USC. Founded in 2002, their group’s name is derived from the Japanese word for “volcano,” an explosive force that inspires them and characterizes their playing style. They perform at events hosted by fellow Trojans, as well as off-campus performances in the Greater Los Angeles area in an effort to make taiko known to their campus and local communities. Kazan’s goal is to provide a place for their members to express themselves through rhythm and movement with both traditional and modern influences of dance, music, and culture, while learning and participating in the tradition of Japanese taiko drumming.
kyodo taiko
University of California, Los Angeles
Kyodo Taiko is the nation’s first collegiate taiko drumming team. Founded in 1990, we work to promote the art of Japanese-American taiko drumming within the UCLA and surrounding communities, and instill within the community a sense of respect and understanding of the Japanese American culture. We perform as a team at many events around the UCLA campus and greater Southern California area.
Cal raijin taiko
University of California, Berkeley
Founded in 2005 by Tom Hata and Andrew Rowland, Cal Raijin Taiko has been a part of the UC Berkeley community as its only taiko, or Japanese drumming, team. Our group is highly committed to practicing the art of taiko and sharing its culture with the community. With roughly twenty-five members, Cal Taiko meets two to three times a week on campus to practice musical drills, songs, and prepare for performances. Outside
of practice hours, Cal Taiko also writes its own repertoire and builds its own equipment. Whether it be practicing around campus or performing at events such as Calapalooza and Cal Day, Cal Taiko is excited to have become a regular part of campus activities and enjoys sharing the energy of taiko with the students of Cal.
Seishun taiko
Orange County Buddhist Church
Seishun Taiko is an intercollegiate taiko group based in Orange County as a branch of OCBC Daion Taiko. Their team consists of students from various colleges and universities throughout Orange County such as Chapman University, CSUF, and CSULB. They aim to embody seishun, celebrating their youth as they connect with the community, culture, and artform taiko has to offer. Founded in 2022, the group is in its third year of playing and very excited to be here!
taiko kai
University of Washington
Taiko Kai was founded in 2013 by the Matsudaira sisters, three UW students who wanted to share Japanese culture with UW and the greater Seattle community. Our club is community-oriented, helping members develop personal and team-based performance skills. This year, Taiko Kai had the amazing opportunity to collaborate with the UW School of Music to host Shoji Kameda as an artist-in-residence. Taiko Kai is a proud member of the Seattle Regional Taiko Group, the regional entity of taiko groups from the Seattle/Puget Sound area.
Touzan taiko
Cal Poly Pomona
Founded in 2009, we are named after the East Mountains and are dedicated to spreading the art of taiko. As Cal Poly Pomona’s collegiate taiko group we are self-funded and self-trained, building ourselves from a small group of taiko enthusiasts to an ever growing family.
Wolf pack taiko
University of Nevada, Reno
Wolf Pack Taiko is the first (and currently sole) ensemble at the University of Nevada Reno that specializes in wadaiko, or Japanese drumming. Founded in early 2022 by Juliann Schultz, their mission is to promote personal and cultural expression through the taiko art form. After their original members graduated, they started this past school year with 3 members and have grown to nearly 30 members.