Emeryville Taiko Newsletter

New Classes Starting In May

Classes for beginners start on May 1st and 3rd and are held every Thursday at 7:00 pm and Saturdays at 2:00 pm. First time students are required to attend an orientation a half an hour before the first class. Please contact us before attending your first class.

Performances

July 4 – Berkeley Marina
We’re playing on the main stage at 3:00 pm. This all-day event offers arts and crafts, sailboat rides, live entertainment, and a fireworks show after dark.

September 14 – Solano Avenue Stroll
Emeryville Taiko will give several performances at the annual Solano Avenue Stroll, which organizers dub “the Bay Area’s biggest block party.”

Meet the Student: Adrian Martin

When did you start playing taiko?

I started Feb '07 at Emeryville as a complete beginner. I had seen the group play at the Solano Stroll a few times and that gave me the idea, but I'd first heard taiko several years before that and it had always been in my mind since that time.

Why do you like taiko?

Mmm, where shall I start. I like the combination of musical expression and physical activity, which combine two of my interests in a way that I never thought I'd be able to do. I also like a challenge, but prefer ones that can be achieved through careful thought and practice rather than by frustrating trial and error.

How has taiko influenced your personal life?

I enjoy the regularity of the classes, and if I had to stop going for some reason I’d have to fill the gap. I am also finding that I have to do some explaining to friends about taiko quite regularly.

Any favorite taiko song, performance or class moment?

I remember back to my first class when I don’t think I understood a word of what was going on, and thinking how difficult it was going to be to get anywhere with all the Japanese, poses and bowing.

What do you do with your time outside of the dojo?

I came to California (I’m from the UK) 8 years ago to work at UC, but now I work for a small company that makes cameras and other bits and pieces for satellites. Although it can sound quite impressive and fancy, many of the tasks are not, just like any job. I do like the idea that things I have built are traveling around the solar system, though. Most of the rest of my time is taken up with daughter (age 2) and future son/daughter (due in July).

What are your future taiko goals & visions?

I’d certainly like to start performing regularly (I haven’t started doing that yet) and play more complicated music. I like listening to modern music (what many others would describe as ‘noise’) and I believe some of this with its polyrhythms and phasing would be very suitable for taiko.

DVDs Now Available

DVDs of our 10th anniversary concert, performed on November 4, 2007 at the Julia Morgan Theater, are now available for purchase. Please contact us for more information.

Support Us

Emeryville Taiko is a non-profit San Francisco Bay Area taiko group providing traditional Japanese drumming classes and performances. We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization. Donations are tax-deductible and your financial support is appreciated. You can donate online at our website.