Announcing
Taiko Camp 2008 In The Sierra Foothills
Grass Valley Taiko
Honored Host Of
Taiko Camp 2006
Taiko Camp 2008
Please Assist Taiko Camp 2008 and Download and Post Our Flyer
Taiko Camp 2008
September 19, 20, 21
In The Heart of the Gold Country The Beautiful Sierra Foothills
Join our Yahoo! Group for all of
the quickest communication!
taikocamp2008
Helping San Francisco Taiko Dojo Celebrate
40 years of Taiko
Who pioneered Taiko Drumming in North America?
Grandmaster Seiichi Tanaka
is the pioneer of Japanese Taiko in North America. He formed San Francisco Taiko Dojo in 1968 to perform and teach this tradition to students in America and has thrilled audiences for over 40 years.
What is Taiko Camp 2008?
The
Taiko Camp experience offers novices and experts alike with the unique opportunity to train with, and learn from some of the best Taiko Masters in the world.
Who:
2008 Taiko Camp Masters Include:
|
� Grandmaster Seiichi Tanaka San Francisco Taiko Dojo � Kenny Endo Taiko Taiko Center of the Pacific � Russel Baba and Jeanne Mercer Shasta Taiko � Koji Nakamora Odaiko Master Los Angeles � Nosuke Akiyama World Renowned Shi Shi Mai Master (Tentative) |
See Master's Biographies Below
More Details
Assignments for accommodations and workshops will be accommodated on
first-paid-registration basis.
Please Check Our 2008 Registration Page for Details
|
Become A Taiko Camp 2008 Sponsor |
|
Vendors Join Our Taiko Camp 2008 Marketplace Details Coming Soon |
|
|
Workshop Descriptions and Tentative Workshop Schedule Coming Soon
|
|
Grand Master Seiichi Tanaka Tanaka Sensei was the first “outsider” to be accepted as an apprentice with Grand Master Daihachi Oguchi of the Suwa Taiko. He then went on to study and add to his repertoire, the very sophisticated, modern technique of Tokyo-style Sukeroku Taiko. After years of study, Tanaka Sensei was also granted permission to perform Gojinjo Taiko outside the Gojinjo district. Tanaka Sensei received general Hogaku education in the very strict, Japanese traditional style by Master Kineya Sasazo. (Hogaku is traditional stage music for Kabuki dance, Noh drama, etc.) He has also studied festival and sacred ceremonial music on yokobue with Master Kiyohiko Fukuhara. Most recently, in 2001, Tanaka Sensei was recognized by the National Endowment for the Arts and was presented the National Heritage Award for traditional and folk arts. |
|
|
Nosuke Akiyama has been a friend and colleague of Tanaka Sensei for over thirty years. He is on of the founding members of the San Francisco Taiko Dojo. He has performed with SFTD since its humble beginnings in the basement of the YMCA in San Francisco’s Japan Town. World renowned as a Lion Dancer, Mr. Akiyama has amazed and charmed audiences with his expressive and natural movements. He humbly attributes the inspiration of his art to his pet cat at play. However, it takes a true master to take what he sees in life and then transform the vision into the dance he performs for a captivated audience. Mr. Akiyama has graciously agreed to share his experience and knowledge, so that students may explore yet another avenue of the performing arts that are associated with taiko. |
|
|
Kenny Endo is an internationally known taiko performing artist. He is a leader in the field of utilizing the traditional taiko in innovative jazz/fusion settings. A native of Los Angeles, Mr. Endo began early training in western drums and percussion for performance with classical, jazz, and rock musicians. However, he discovered his roots through the Japanese taiko drum and has focused on developing this artform. In 1975, he began studying at the San Francisco Taiko Dojo andi n 1980 embarked on a decade long odyssey in japan studying with the masters in classical, festival, and group drumming. He is the first non-Japanese national to be honored with a stage name, “natori”, and master’s degree in classical Japanese drumming, “hogaku Hayashi”. |
|
|
Koji Nakamura is considered one of today's foremost taiko artists. His career began in 1982 as a member of Japan's legendary Ondeko-za. In 1985 he became the first leader of the Shumei Taiko Ensemble. Starting with just three drums, three drummers, and two compositions, under his leadership the group evolved to one of taiko's preeminent groups.
Among his major artistic influences are Tagayasu Den of Ondeko-za, who taught the importance of character and dedication, and the Shumei Ensemble's artistic director, the flutist Meisho Tosha, who revealed the sophistication and unlimited expression possible within taiko. Primary among his influences was Shumei's first taiko artist, Toshiro Ishida, who instilled in Mr. Nakamura the belief that at heart taiko is a spiritual pursuit. He also believes that if taiko holds a purpose beyond pure enjoyment, it is to create harmony amongst people.
Koji Nakamura can be heard on most of the Shumei Ensemble's recordings. He was featured on Eugene Friesen's CD, "Sono Miho" and most recently on Paul Winter's CD, "Crestone." His work on the later resulted in a Grammy Award in 2007.
Koji moved to the United States in 2005 to help promote the art of taiko in North America. He now oversees a number of students, artists, and groups throughout the country. |
|
|
Russel Hisashi Baba is a gifted musician and creative artist who has focused on refining an intuitive natural style. His distinct sound on saxophone and flutes, and his innovative approach in his writing, have opened opportunities to perform and tour with esteemed artists in the creative as well as the traditional fields – notably, jazz musicians drummer Eddie Moore, violinist Michael White, and pianist Andrew Hill (Playboy Magazine Jazz Artist of the Year 2006); taiko artists Seiichi Tanaka, Kenny Endo, and San Jose Taiko; and Japanese butoh dancer Min Tanaka. Russel started taiko training in 1972 with Seiichi Tanaka and the San Francisco Taiko Dojo and with Jeanne Mercer founded Shasta Taiko in 1985. Their annual concerts in Mt Shasta have now expanded successfully to an outdoor taiko/music festival, ShastaYama. Russel is recognized as a pioneering artist in American taiko and Asian American jazz. He may be one of the first Asian American artists to produce his own work with the critically acclaimed recording “Hisashi” in 1978. Since then he has produced “Earth Prayer” in 1992 which features Andrew Hill and “Spirit Drum – Taiko Stories From America” with Jeanne Mercer in 1999 which features their son, Masato Baba and also Shoji Kameda who both started as young children with Shasta Taiko. Jeanne Aiko Mercer is a highly respected American taiko artist and pioneer. Her considerable artistic and technical skills are widely admired, and her compositions are noted for their originality and challenging direction. Jeanne’s leadership and longevity in taiko are an inspiration to women in taiko. Her taiko experience began in 1972 with Grand Master Seiichi Tanaka and the San Francisco Taiko Dojo, and she trained and toured with the group for over 10 years. She co-founded Shasta Taiko with Russel Baba in 1985 and has dedicated her life to teaching the art, discipline, and philosophy of taiko. Jeanne has expanded her musical expression to perform jazz on taiko and trap drums at various venues with Russel Baba and notable jazz artists – drummers Eddie Moore and Art Blakey, violinist Michael White, and pianist Andrew Hill. Jeanne and Russel have received numerous grants from the California Arts Council to offer taiko to the Mt. Shasta community. They also have led various workshops nationally and were honored to lead the first Summer Taiko Institute – an intensive for young recognized taiko leaders in North America. Jeanne and Russel have also been recognized and interviewed on numerous articles, radio and T.V., videos, DVDs, and exhibits on American taiko – “Shasta Taiko” documentary, “Spirit of Taiko,” and “The Big Drum.” |
Taiko Camp 2008 Workshops,
Breakouts, and Artistic Expressions
|
Guide to your selection: Consider the Color
Beginners’ Path (recommended for novices and those just beginning their journey into Taiko)
Everyone (recommended for all participants)
Some Experience (highly recommended to have a comfortable understanding of taiko patterns and physical demands through established experience in taiko)
Intermediate/Advanced (limited to participants with solid understanding of taiko discipline, philosophy and playing patterns. Check with your Group Lead if you are not certain.)
Tentatively cancelled due to low camp participation (bring more friends and we can bring Nosuke Akiyama sama!)
Workshop Descriptions Many of the workshops are new, some are back by popular demand and presented differently or by someone new. Even if you have taken one in the past, it is likely to be a great reinforcement with a new twist! Workshops are designed with plenty of time to absorb the material presented and a unique opportunity afterward to work on your own to process what you have learned. We will work diligently to keep the area set up for an additional 30 minutes to allow for this. Any participants that are willing to help with a bit of the drum moving afterwards will make it more comfortable on all involved (and greatly appreciated by the hard working members of Grass Valley Taiko).
ALL WORKSHOPS ARE FULLY ANTICIPATED AS PRESENTED BELOW BUT MAY BE SUBJECT TO CHANGE BASED ON PARTICIPANTS’ INTERESTS AND MASTERS’ AVAILABLE RESOURCES.
Body and Movement (Grand Master Seiichi Tanaka): The flow of energy between the player and the drum is a critical component of Taiko. To understand this, one must know their own body and the flow of energy within it. This class will tap into the ancient arts of Chi Gung and Tai Chi to explore body movement and its connection to the body’s center, and how it is grounded to the Earth. Ti will then illustrate how this connection translates to playing the drums.
Basic Taiko (Russel Baba/Jeanne Mercer): This workshop will cover some basic information, philosophy, and playing technique on taiko, body awareness, and drumming.
Beg. Odaiko (Koji Nakamura): Learning fundamentals of Odaiko, including stance, posture, hitting, practice routine, and sprit through practice song. Participants should have some experiences of rhythms and taiko. Please bring Odaiko bachi if possible.
Hachijo Daiko (Grandmaster Seiichi Tanaka): Learn the fluid and graceful style of Hachijo combined with the power and strength synonymous with San Francisco Taiko Dojo. As the only master with expressed permission to carry on the teachings of this song localized on the island of Hachijo, Japan, Tanaka sensei blends the two elements into a new song and style of his own to share with participants. Standard size bachi are needed.
Improvisation / Spontaneous Creativity (Russel Baba/Jeanne Mercer): Improvisation and Spontaneous Creativity (Russel Baba and Jeanne Mercer): Learn to develop group and individual skills to build overall awareness, insight, sensitivity, strength, and confidence through basic exercises and practice with improvisation. This workshop will utilize sounds and tones from various taiko, percussion, and other musical instruments as well as body movement. Narimono” and other instruments may be added for more dimensions to this session.
Composition (Kenny Endo): This class will provide an unusual opportunity to learn the art of playing accompanying percussion pieces. The atarigane, choppa and cannon will be the main focus and other accompaniment may be taught. Participants are encouraged to participate in Saturday’s concert!
Master Class (Grand Master Seiichi Tanaka): This class is intended for intermediate and advanced players. Tanaka Sensei will perform an evaluation of each student at the beginning of the class. He will then teach techniques and to challenge the students’ abilities through the song of Matsuri Daiko. If necessary, the class will be split into two groups, based on skill level. If this happens, the lower skill level group will be challenged by Tanaka Sensei’s Movement course (including Taiko Waltz), led by members of Taiko Dojo’s Dream Team.
Int/Adv. Odaiko (Koji Nakamura): This class will assume a solid foundation of basic skills and move on to a variety of techniques and styles. Leaning fundamentals including stance, hitting, posture, practice routine and advanced skill of Odaiko including making a structure of the Odaiko solo piece, physical exercise as well as the spirit to be Odaiko player. Must have some experience of Odaiko. Please bring Odaiko bachi.
** Tentatively cancelled due to 2008 low camp attendance Shi Shi Mai (Nosuke Akiyama): This class will provide a rare and unusual opportunity to learn about the Shi Shi Mai (Lion Dance). The dance will be the main focus and parts of the shime accompaniment may be taught. We will provide a “blank” lion head mockup that can be decorated by each student. Participants are encouraged to participate in Saturday’s concert!
The Breakouts Locations and times to be listed in the camp program. Last two options are at an additional expense to cover materials needed. You keep your finished work form these two classes.
Breakfast Breakout for Beginners: This gathering is highly recommended for all participants that are brand new or fairly new to taiko, or practice with a group that is more relaxed in their discipline courtesies. During Saturday morning breakfast a review of common Taiko customs and courtesies will be presented. This is a great opportunity to brush up on some of the finer points that will be experienced (and may make your experience more comfortable if you like to know “what to do and when to do it”).
Shime Tightening: Grab and shime and pick up techniques for getting a good tight shime. Round robin discussion.
Drum Building Discussion: Open Discussion Open To All with Questions and Answers to Drum Building will cover body construction and reinforcement, as well as, hide selection. Although we will be working on a wine barrel drum, we will discuss some of the other options for drum bodies. We can help each other to learn as we bring these wonderful instruments to life.
Feldenkrist Warm up: Allison Rapp, Master Feldenkrist Practitioner will lead you through
Birds of Prey Presentation: Members of Woodleaf Wildlife and Science Camp will take participants around to learn about local inhabitants residing at the Camp and the rolls they play in our environment. All animals have been rescued and are no longer capable to provide for themselves and are care for by the Camp facilitators.
Artistic Expressions: Additional Fee Required Registration Coming Soon Sumi Painting: 30 Year Painting Veteran Learn or practice the art of “Sumi Painting”. Materials and instruction provided. Cost based on materials and TBD (soon!).
Furoshiki Making: Alowan Linton Go green and go personal! Forget wasting paper that will end up in landfills. Go back to a great tradition: wrap your gifts with beautiful cloths. Alowan will introduce the art of painting on cotton material with the intent to use it as a gift wrap that can continue to be used for years to come. Materials and instruction provided. Cost based on materials and TBD (soon!).
Workshop Selections Workshop Selection Forms will be Mailed to You Upon Camp Registration
Breakout schedule to follow.
Please Check Our 2008 Registration Page for Details
|
CHECK OUT
Thanks to everyone who made Taiko Camp 2006 a great success.
Please email your Taiko Camp Picture to us