Groups » Kyodo Taiko

School: UCLA

Website: http://kyodo.wordpress.com/

Description:

Comprised entirely of college students, Kyodo Taiko is in a perpetual state of turnover and transition, with no fixed sensei. In addition, most members have no prior experience with playing taiko. To counteract the group’s inexperience and lack of a constant teaching source, it is a main priority that all members cooperatively learn the different aspects and traditions of taiko, along with those of the group, in a very short period of time. This continuous learning process fosters fresh ideas and constant innovation, while seeking to preserve and expand upon the traditions and knowledge of previous years. All of Kyodo Taiko’s pieces are either written or arranged by its members and many songs exhibit a variety of ideas and influences. In our peer-driven environment, there is a sense of freedom to experiment, to express and explore with taiko with few reservations or repercussions.

Many of Kyodo’s members are not of Japanese descent – the varied backgrounds and experiences of our members, coupled with the Japanese American perspective of taiko, create diversity in composition and performance. Our performances include various campus and community events, outreach programs, K-12 school presentations, and private functions. Kyodo Taiko continues to participate annually in NSU’s Cultural Night, as well as in the Intercollegiate Taiko Invitational. In the spring of 1997, 2000, and 2003, we were honored to have hosted the Intercollegiate Invitational Concert and look forward to hosting again in 2006. Originated by Stanford Taiko in 1995, the Invitational offers workshops and promotes interaction between the collegiate taiko groups and is always one of the highlights of the year. We have been annual participants of the Nisei Week festivities, L.A. Tofu Festival, and in recent years, the Lotus Festival and the First Annual USA Sumo Open. Kyodo members have also been the founding members of the Nishikaze Taiko Ensemble, which performs professionally at various venues, including an entire season at Downtown Disney in Anaheim, CA.

Striving to live up to the group’s name, Kyodo Taiko functions as a family, sharing the joy and spirit of taiko with more and more of the surrounding community each year. IKUZO! GAMBARUZO! MAKENAIZO!