Founder/Director: Diana discovered taiko in 2006 with UC Berkeley’s Raijin Taiko. After she graduated in 2007, Diana wanted to bring the amazing experience of taiko drumming to her local community, […]

Instructor: Devin is a percussionist at heart. After many years of taking western percussion, Devin started playing taiko in 2009 with UCI Jodaiko. Four years of collegiate taiko later and […]

Instructor: Jimmy was fascinated when he first saw a taiko performance by UCSD’s Asayake Taiko, as he was seeking a new hobby that would inspire him tremendously. Opportunity knocked on […]

Jessica saw taiko for the first time in high school, as a participant in a student exchange trip to Japan. But her first real exposure to the art was through […]

Kathy has long loved rhythms, both in dance and drums. After playing an African djembe for years and dancing to Middle Eastern rhythms, she is happy to be finally getting […]

Kelly joined Naruwan Taiko in 2008 and has been having great fun practicing and performing with the group ever since. Originally from New York, Naruwan was her first exposure to […]

Kristen started playing taiko in 2011 at UCLA with the student group Yukai Daiko. She played there for just a couple years but enjoyed the close camaraderie that is inherent […]

Liz began her taiko journey after seeing Naruwan perform at a festival in 2015. Following that performance, she signed up for what she thought would be a one-time workshop experience […]

Lori started playing taiko in 2015 shortly after moving to San Diego. Coming from 15 years of training in the martial arts — but with no musical background or experience […]

Melanie has always loved the powerful, moving sound of the taiko and the way it makes her feel. She wanted to learn the art for years, but was unable to […]

Fascinated with taiko when she first saw it in a summer concert at the age of 8, Priscilla dreamed of hitting the drum one day. Years later, the opportunity came […]

Raymond Ricafort started playing taiko with Senryu Taiko at the University of California, Riverside, serving on the Executive Board for three years and eventually holding term as External Director. Upon […]

Ruthie first experienced taiko while hiking in the Havasupai Indian Reservation. Hearing drums echo through the Grand Canyon was awe-inspiring. The biggest surprise was that the drummers were Japanese. After […]