Silicon Valley Down Syndrome Network

Upcoming events

    • 7 Sep 2024
    • 12 Oct 2024
    • 6 sessions
    • Mountain View Buddhist Temple (575 N. Shoreline Boulevard, Mountain View, CA. 94043)
    • 2
    Registration is closed

    SVDSN Fall I Taiko Classes: Taiko Beats

    6 Classes from 10:00-10:50 am plus 1 Performance 

    Saturday Classes: September 7, 14, 21 28, October 5, & 12; Performance on October 19, 2024 

    Starting on Saturday, September 7, SVDSN will be holding a series of 6 taiko classes plus one performance opportunity for vaccinated self-advocates with Down syndrome and their siblings, ages 12 and up. We are pleased to continue with our experienced taiko instruction team: Sydney Shiroyama, pediatric OT; Mallory Shiroyama; and self-advocate, Sensei Gabe. 

    In these classes, participants engage in 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. 

    Sydney and her instruction team will be working with participants, 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 this class, students will have opportunities to work on performance skills and showmanship through exercises around improvisation and solo work.

    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 participant attend all 4 classes. (Exceptions may be made if classes need 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 working toward our third annual performance at the SVDSN Bay Area BuddyWalk on Saturday, October 19, at Lake Cunningham Park in San Jose. More details to follow to registered participants. 

    SVDSN will follow the protocols developed during the 2021 summer inclusive workshops and used during classes in 2022-24 to keep our community safe. Please note that our classes are now mostly indoors. If Covid prevalence changes, we may ask participants to wear face coverings. Anyone who wishes to wear a face covering is welcome to do so. At this time, it is not required.

    • The instruction team and any volunteers are fully vaccinated for COVID.  
    • All participants are vaccinated for COVID.
    • Drums will be socially distanced. 
    • Participants will use their own dedicated pair of bachi (drumsticks). We ask that they bring them to class each time. (Bachi are available for purchase. Please let Marcy know if you would like to buy a pair.) 
    • 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 we follow the health-and-safety protocols of our host location, Mountain View Buddhist Temple. We will 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! 

    Class Dates: Saturdays, September 7, 14, 21, 28, October 5, and 12 

    Performance Date: Saturday, October 19

    Time: 10:00-10:50am PT for classes; performance time on Saturday, October 19- tbd 

    Location: Mountain View Buddhist Temple (indoors- Sangha Hall Gym); outdoor performance on 10/19 at Lake Cunningham Park in San Jose

    Cost: $120 for SVDSN members* ($20/class); $210 for non-SVDSN members ($35/class)

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



    • 7 Sep 2024
    • 12 Oct 2024
    • 6 sessions
    • Mountain View Buddhist Temple (575 N. Shoreline Boulevard, Mountain View, CA. 94043)
    • 4
    Registration is closed

    SVDSN Fall I Taiko Classes: Taiko Jams

    6 Classes from 11:00-11:50 am plus 1 Performance

    Saturdays: September 7, 14, 21, 28, October 5 and 12

    BuddyWalk Performance: Saturday, October 19

    Starting on Saturday, September 7, SVDSN will be holding a series of 6 taiko classes plus one performance opportunity for vaccinated self-advocates with Down syndrome and their siblings, ages 12 and up. We are pleased to continue with our experienced taiko instruction team: Sydney Shiroyama, pediatric OT; Mallory Shiroyama; and self-advocate, Sensei Gabe. 

    In these classes, participants engage in 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. 

    Sydney and her instruction team will be working with participants, 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 this class, students will have opportunities to work on performance skills and showmanship through exercises around improvisation and solo work.

    In the Taiko Jams 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 participant attend all 4 classes. (Exceptions may be made if classes need 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 working toward our third annual performance at the SVDSN Bay Area BuddyWalk on Saturday, October 19, at Lake Cunningham Park in San Jose. More details to follow to registered participants. 

    SVDSN will follow the protocols developed during the 2021 summer inclusive workshops and used during classes in 2022-24 to keep our community safe. Please note that our classes are now mostly indoors. If Covid prevalence changes, we may ask participants to wear face coverings. Anyone who wishes to wear a face covering is welcome to do so. At this time, it is not required. 

    • The instruction team and any volunteers are fully vaccinated for COVID.  
    • All participants are vaccinated for COVID.
    • Drums will be socially distanced. 
    • Participants will use their own dedicated pair of bachi (drumsticks). We ask that they bring them to class each time. (Bachi are available for purchase. Please let Marcy know if you would like to buy a pair.) 
    • 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 we follow the health-and-safety protocols of our host location, Mountain View Buddhist Temple. We will 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! 

    Class Dates: Saturdays, September 7, 14, 21, 28, October 5 and 12

    Performance Date: Saturday, October 19

    Time: 11:00-11:50am PT for classes; performance time on October 19- tbd

    Location: Mountain View Buddhist Temple (indoors- Sangha Hall Gym);  outdoor performance on 10/19 at Lake Cunningham Park

    Cost: $120 for SVDSN members* ($20/class); $210 for non-SVDSN members ($35/class)

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



Past events

22 Jun 2024 SVDSN Summer Taiko Series: Taiko Jams
22 Jun 2024 SVDSN Summer Taiko Series: Taiko Beats
19 May 2024 Yoga with Aurélie in May (1 class 05/19)
5 May 2024 Yoga with Aurélie in May (1 class 05/05)
13 Apr 2024 SVDSN Spring Taiko Series: Taiko Jams
13 Apr 2024 SVDSN Spring Taiko Series: Taiko Beats
7 Apr 2024 Yoga with Aurélie in April (1 class 04/07)
3 Mar 2024 Yoga with Aurélie March 2024
3 Mar 2024 Yoga with Aurélie in March (1 class 03/03)
2 Mar 2024 SVDSN Winter II Taiko Series: Taiko Jams
2 Mar 2024 SVDSN Winter II Taiko Series: Taiko Beats
18 Feb 2024 Yoga with Aurélie February 2024
27 Jan 2024 SVDSN Winter I Taiko Series: Taiko Jams
27 Jan 2024 SVDSN Winter I Taiko Series: Taiko Beats
10 Dec 2023 SVDSN Holiday Party
28 Oct 2023 Halloween Party at Fair Oaks park
1 Oct 2023 Yoga with Aurélie October 2023
16 Sep 2023 SVDSN Fall I Taiko Series: Taiko Jams
16 Sep 2023 SVDSN Fall I Taiko Series: Taiko Beats
26 Aug 2023 SVDSN "A Taste of Taiko" Workshop in Mountain View 11am Class
26 Aug 2023 SVDSN "A Taste of Taiko" Workshop in Mountain View 10am Class
20 Aug 2023 Yoga with Aurélie August 2023
10 Jun 2023 SVDSN "A Taste of Taiko" Workshop in Mountain View 11am Class
10 Jun 2023 SVDSN "A Taste of Taiko" Workshop in Mountain View 10am Class
4 Jun 2023 SVDSN Spring Party
15 Apr 2023 SVDSN Spring I Taiko Series: Taiko Jams
15 Apr 2023 SVDSN Spring I Taiko Series: Taiko Beats
5 Mar 2023 Yoga with Aurélie March 2023
25 Feb 2023 SVDSN Winter II Taiko Series: Taiko Jams
25 Feb 2023 SVDSN Winter II Taiko Series: Taiko Beats
5 Feb 2023 Yoga with Aurélie February 2023
21 Jan 2023 SVDSN Winter I Taiko Series: Taiko Jams
21 Jan 2023 SVDSN Winter I Taiko Series: Taiko Beats
15 Jan 2023 Yoga with Aurélie January 2023
4 Dec 2022 SVDSN Holiday Party
6 Nov 2022 Yoga with Aurélie November 2022
29 Oct 2022 Sunnyvale Great Candy Cane Hunt Decorating event
23 Oct 2022 Yoga with Aurélie October 2022 (NEW DATES)
22 Oct 2022 SVDSN Taiko: Fall II Add-on Class
17 Sep 2022 Moms Night Yoga and Potluck
17 Sep 2022 SVDSN Fall II Taiko Series
11 Sep 2022 Yoga with Aurélie September 2022
14 Aug 2022 Yoga with Aurélie August 2022
13 Aug 2022 SVDSN Fall I Taiko Series
30 Jul 2022 SVDSN Summer Taiko Workshop in Mountain View
9 Jul 2022 SVDSN Summer Family Taiko Workshop in Mountain View
25 Jun 2022 SVDSN Summer Taiko Workshop in Palo Alto
4 Jun 2022 Yoga with Aurélie June 4th @ 11am
4 Jun 2022 Yoga with Aurélie June 4th @10am
15 May 2022 Yoga with Aurélie
7 May 2022 SVDSN Spring I Taiko Series
21 Apr 2022 Online Dance Class by Kidz Groove
19 Mar 2022 World Down Syndrome Day Celebration
26 Feb 2022 SVDSN Winter I Taiko Series
7 Nov 2021 SVDSN Fall II Taiko Class
19 Sep 2021 SVDSN Fall Taiko Class
21 Aug 2021 Inclusive Outdoor Taiko Class- August 21
7 Aug 2021 Inclusive Outdoor Taiko Class- August 7
24 Jul 2021 Inclusive Outdoor Taiko Class- July 24
17 Jul 2021 SVDSN Homeschool Club
14 Jul 2021 SVDSN Roundtable
7 Apr 2021 Parent Education Support Meeting
7 Mar 2021 Ready or Not Transition to Adulthood Group Meeting
3 Mar 2021 Parent Education Support Meeting
21 Feb 2021 Ready or Not Transition to Adulthood Group Meeting
6 Feb 2021 Parent Sharing - Toilet Training
31 Jan 2021 Parent Sharing IEP's session b
7 Jun 2020 Ready or Not Transition to Adulthood Group Meeting
3 May 2020 Ready or Not Transition to Adulthood Group Meeting
5 Apr 2020 Ready or Not Transition to Adulthood Group Meeting
1 Mar 2020 Ready or Not Transition to Adulthood Group Meeting
5 Feb 2020 SVDSN Board information Evening
13 Jul 2019 SVDSN and The Matthew Foundation Present Dr. Brian Chicoine
15 Jun 2019 Mental Health of individuals with Down syndrome
20 Oct 2018 14th Annual Bay Area Buddy Walk
12 May 2018 SVDSN Bowling Activity
5 May 2018 Operation House Call
22 Apr 2018 Animal Assisted Happiness Visit
24 Mar 2018 SVDSN Spring Social 2018

Our Community Partners

Family photographer with 15 years experience as an Aide with special needs kiddos!
Supporting the SVDSN Taiko program
Programs for individuals with Down syndrome and their peers and reaches new families through The Congratulations Project.

Our Fiscal agent 



Silicon Valley Down Syndrome Network

 SVDSN is a program of Valley Health Foundation who is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization. 2400 Clove Drive, San Jose CA 95128

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