Other Dates
Boulder, CO 80301-2348
Mission Statement:
Boulder Taiko is working to bring the rich cultural experience of Taiko to local communities by integrating artistic skills and knowledge with traditional Japanese drum music through performances, workskop, demonstrations, and classes for the general public. We bring the art and discipline of Taiko to all people, regardless of their race, religion, or political affiliation, to promote a stronger, kinder, more compassionate and interconnected community.
-Adults class-
Taiko All Levels: Saturdays
Time: 12:30-14:00 (90min)
Taiko All Levels: Sundays
Time: 9:00-10:30am (90min) and 10:30-12:00pm(90min)
Drop-in: $ 25.00 per session (includes bachi rental)
-Open practice- All Levels: Please reserve your spot
-Arrive 15 minutes prior each class as "Taiko Time." (Taiko setting up is a part of a training.)
-Please take an extra 15-30 minutes to drive for a sever weather.
Private and semi-private lessons available on Sundays(60min): by an appointment only
Private-$90
Semi-private-$130 for 2 students
Small group/family 3-5 students-$55 per student
Class maybe canceled due to taiko events. Please feel free to ask questions. Thank you.
*Refund policy: $10 registration/association fee is not refundable.
* Bachi (A pair of drum sticks) $17.00~$38.00 /Rental $ 5.00〜$10 per class. (if you forget bachi to bring, $5 will be charged to rent)
* $10 registration/association fee required. (One time only. Non-refundable)
* Boulder Taiko Slack Membership: Song Resources_Gain access to a curated collection of Taiko-related videos to further enhance your leaning
* Take new students on every Saturday and Sunday
* Private lessons and small group lessons available by appointments only
* Boulder Taiko conducts a workshop demo in a public
* Ask details for class discounts
* Schedule and fee are subject to change.
When: Saturdays and Sundays
Time: Taiko Open Class on Saturdays:12:30-14:00(meet at 12:15), Sunday Taiko Class: 9:00-10:30am(meet at 8:45) and 10:30-12:00pm(meet at 10:15am)*subject to change
Where: One Dojo Boulder
Address: 3005 Sterling Circle, Suite 150,
Boulder, CO 80301-2348
Age: 13+
Website: https://www.onedojo.org/japanese-taiko-drum-lessons
Fee: To provide flexibility for all participants, we are offering the following punch pass options: Go to https://onedojo.sites.zenplanner.com/sign-up-now.cfm?display=MBRSHPS&categoryId=8F492950-5DF3-4103-A52E-4E25AD500D90&
- 5-punch pass: $95 (expires in 2 months) - $19 per class
- 10-punch pass: $180 (expires in 4 months) - $18 per class
- 20-punch pass: $340 (expires in 6 months) - $17 per class
- 30-punch pass: $480 (expires in one year) - $16 per class
- Drop-in $25
- Monthly discount available!
Payment options: Cash, Check, or Credit card (Visa, Master, Amex, PayPal,etc)
Registration: https://onedojo.sites.zenplanner.com/sign-up-now.cfm
Contact: Julia Misawa (bouldertaiko@gmail.com)
Boulder Taiko was founded by Julia Misawa in January 2006. Already our dynamic young group has performed at cultural and community events along the Colorado Front Range. Julia Misawa studied traditional Japanese taiko for ten years under the guidance of Taiko Master Seiichi Tanaka. It was Sensei Tanaka who first brought Taiko to the U.S. in 1968 when he founded the San Francisco Taiko Dojo (SFTD).
As part of the professional team at SFTD, Julia Misawa traveled throughout the United States. Some memorable experiences included performing at Carnegie Hall and recording a DVD at studios owned by George Lucas. Along with intense devotion to her own practice, Julia also assisted workshops for emotionally disturbed children at a hospital in Napa California. She continues in Boulder her commitment to teaching taiko to children and adults.
“Hibiki” means ‘resonance’ and many audience members report feeling inexplicably moved by the incredible sound of the drums. The resonance in the sound of the drums is due in part to the master craftsmanship that goes into making these amazing instruments. Many taiko drums are hundreds of years old, and the best drums are made entirely from one single tree trunk. It is believed that the spirit of the tree from which the wood came and the spirit imparted by the performers through the years helps produce the unique sound of the taiko.
Resonance also describes the communication and relationship between drummer and drum, between the all the players in the ensemble, and with audience members. This spiritual aspect of taiko crosses boundaries of culture and age, and is a hallmark of this unique art form.
As Sensei Tanaka has said, “The essence of learning taiko is not only the skillful playing of percussion instruments, but also the discipline of mind and body, in the spirit of complete respect and unity among the drummers. It is also the ultimate challenge of reaching the point of unity of the drummer’s spirit with the drum.”
Training
The challenge and the beauty of taiko stem from the combination of percussion, dance, and martial art. As in martial art study, Boulder Taiko’s teaching method and essence is based upon the four basic elements, Mind, Skill, Body, and Manner.
Kokoro: Discipline of mind, self-control and Spirit
Waza: Musical skills, physical expression and rhythm
Karada: Discipline of body strength, power and stamina
Rei: Communication manner, harmony, language, unity of spirit between players and the drums
All four elements are essential and should be studied equally so that they all become single form. For begin- ning students, the basic grip, stance and movement are learned prior to practicing fundamental drills designed to learn basic drumming techniques. Each class starts with a routine of full body stretches and the use of voice is practiced throughout each class. One method unique to Sensei Tanaka’s teaching style is that “Kuchi-Shoka”, students “sing” the rhythms without the music score so that the entire body, not just the brain, learns the rhythm.
