SVDSN Spring I Taiko Classes: Taiko Beats

4 Classes from 10:00-10:50 am: 

Saturdays: April 15, 22, 29, and May 13, 2023

Starting on Saturday, April 15, SVDSN will be holding a series of 4 taiko classes for vaccinated self advocates, ages 12 and up. We are pleased to continue with our taiko instruction team, Sydney Shiroyama, pediatric OT, and Mallory Shiroyama. 

In these classes, self-advocates learn ensemble Japanese drumming. While taiko, the drum, has long existed in Japanese traditions, the ensemble style of taiko, a.k.a. kumidaiko, we play in North America only developed in Japan in the 1950's! This relatively new style of taiko evokes excitement and a celebratory atmosphere and is found in many festivals in Japan. In America, taiko was nurtured by the Japanese American communities during the Asian American civil rights movement in the 1960's and 1970's, and had particularly strong roots in Jodo Shinshu Buddhist Churches (Buddhist Churches of America). As a result, taiko gained visibility and popularity as a vibrant performing art, inspiring groups to form across the U.S. in diverse communities, schools, and colleges, and even in Europe and South America. Taiko is an art form that lends itself to inclusivity and unity-- it gives everyone a voice and the opportunity to be heard. SVDSN is excited to be partnering with TaikoPeace, the Mountain View Buddhist Temple, and Sydney Shiroyama to bring taiko to our families. 

In this series of 4 classes, Sydney and her instruction team will be working with self advocates, teaching them the foundations and fundamentals of taiko playing and performance. We will use the standard "kuchi-shoga" method that taiko players use to teach pieces to one another, chanting the drumming patterns out loud as they are learning to physically drum the movements, using words or sounds that are assigned to certain movements and rhythms.

In the Taiko Beats classes, we will work with students to learn foundational movements and rhythms that frequently appear in taiko pieces. Students will be expected to memorize phrases as we build on previous lessons. Students will have opportunities to work on performance skills and showmanship as some exercises around improvisation and solo work will be incorporated into the classes. 

Because the classes are sequential and will build on the material and techniques learned the previous session, we ask that the self advocate attend all 4 classes. (Exceptions may be made if 1 of the 4 classes needs to be missed. Please let us know when you register.) Students new to taiko are welcome to join if they are able to commit to all of the classes.

We will be having a performance on Sunday, May 7, at Shoup Park in Los Altos for the SVDSN Operation Housecall Graduation Picnic. Information is forthcoming to families who register. 

SVDSN will follow the protocols developed during the 2021 summer inclusive workshops and used during classes in 2022 to keep our community safe. Please note that our classes are now held indoors, so we will request that everyone in attendance wear face coverings. 

• The instruction team and any volunteers are fully vaccinated and will wear face coverings/masks. 
• The instructor may remove mask while giving active instruction to provide visual cues to the participants. Social distancing will be expected while the instructor is not wearing a mask.  
• All participants are fully vaccinated, boosted, if eligible, and will wear a mask. (If the self advocate is unable to wear a mask, please let us know.) 
• Drums will be socially distanced. 
• No food is permitted during class. (Water is permitted as we will take water breaks during class.) 
• A fully-vaccinated adult must check in the self advocate at the start of class and must be available by phone if not staying on premises while class is in session. 

Please note that our host location, Mountain View Buddhist Temple, is holding in-person activities, so we may see people on site who are attending other activities. We follow their in-person activity health-and-safety protocols. We will continue to monitor state, county, and local host venue guidelines throughout the class series and adjust as needed. Thank you for your understanding as we continue to keep our community safe! 

Please feel free to reach out if you have any questions. We hope to see you at taiko! 

Dates: Saturdays: April 15, 22, 29, and May 13, 2023 

(Note: May 7 will be a performance.) 

Time: 10:00-10:50am PT

Location: Mountain View Buddhist Temple (indoors- Sangha Hall gym), 575 N. Shoreline Boulevard, Mountain View 

Cost: $20/class for SVDSN members* ($80 for 4 classes); $30/class for non-SVDSN members ($120 for 4 classes) 

If you wish to pay by cash or check, please email svdsnprograms@gmail.com to let us know, and we can help to coordinate online registration. 

*Note: scholarships are available to SVDSN families; signing up to join SVDSN is free! Please email svdsnprograms@gmail.com with your request.