Grades: 3rd and up
Curriculum: International Studies, Music, World and Culture
TAIKOPROJECT has astonished audiences worldwide since 2000 with their unique blend of traditional taiko & innovative aesthetics. Percussive power, dynamic music, and graceful choreography work together to weave a gorgeous narrative you’ll have to see (and hear!) to believe!
TAIKOPROJECT’s powerful drumming unites ancient Japanese tradition with 21st century American innovation to create a riot of movement and thundering rhythm. It’s been called a tsunami of sound but this highly charged ensemble is so much more. This show will ignite all of your senses with a spell-binding mix of music, theater and precision. The group received international acclaim when it became the first American ensemble to win the prestigious Tokyo International Taiko Contest. Since then, it’s wowed audiences at the Academy Awards and the Grammys with its grace, energy and passion.
TAIKOPROJECT was founded in 2000 in Los Angeles, California by a group of young, emerging taiko drummers. They were seeking to create a truly American style of taiko, blending traditional forms in which they were raised, with an innovative and fresh approach to the Japanese drum.
TAIKOPROJECT first made waves when they became the first American taiko group to win the prestigious Tokyo International Taiko Contest in 2005, besting all of the Japanese taiko groups in the competition. That year, they were cast in the Mitsubishi Eclipse commercial, the first and still only national advertising campaign to prominently feature taiko. Since then, the group has performed on the 2009 Academy Awards, the 2011 Grammy Awards, NBC’s “The Voice,” Syfy’s Face/Off, The X-Factor, and were honored with the prestigious Visionary Award from East West Players. In 2013, TAIKOPROJECT was featured in rock band 30 Seconds to Mars’ epic “Up in the Air” music video and appeared with the band on Conan, Jimmy Kimmel Live, and the iHeartRadio Music Festival.
TAIKOPROJECT, the thrilling twist on traditional Japanese drumming, was founded in 2000 by a group of young, emerging taiko drummers led by Bryan Yamami and Masato Baba. The show continues to define a modern American style of taiko, blending traditional forms with an innovative and fresh aesthetic.
TAIKOPROJECT first made waves when they became the first American taiko group to win the prestigious Tokyo International Taiko Contest in 2005, besting all of the Japanese taiko groups in the competition.
Since then, the group has performed on the Academy Awards, the Grammy Awards, NBC’s The Voice, Syfy’s Face/Off, The X-Factor, rock band 30 Seconds to Mars’ Up in the Air music video, Conan, Jimmy Kimmel Live, the iHeartRadio Music Festival, and were honored with the prestigious Visionary Award from East West Players.
TAIKOPROJECT has performed and recorded with Stevie Wonder, Peter Gabriel, Hans Zimmer, Alicia Keys, John Legend, international stars, and many others.
