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Mark H Rooney Taiko

Taiko Instructor & Performer

Join us at Sakura Taiko Fest 2026!

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Sakura Taiko Fest 2026 Web Banner

Sakura Taiko Fest is back!

Our 12th annual Sakura Taiko Fest is coming up soon … and we want YOU to be there!

Join us at the Sylvan Theater in Washington, DC on Saturday, March 28 (rain date: Sunday, March 29) to enjoy a full day of FREE, family-friendly Japanese drumming at Sakura Taiko Fest 2026!

It’s always an amazing day of music, dancing, and community spirit. So get some friends, bring a picnic, and come out to enjoy the festive atmosphere!

Announcing this year’s guest performers …

We’ve got a great lineup of guest performers to showcase the broad range of taiko styles played by community and collegiate groups across North America. Please help us welcome …

… and of course we’ll also have performances from MHTX, Miyako Taiko, and all the students in the Mark H Rooney Taiko School!

Get all the details for this year’s event!

Learn all about our performers, check out photos and video from past events, and MORE on our brand-new Sakura Taiko Fest page!

More Info

CAN’T BE THERE IN PERSON?

We’ll be recording all of the performances throughout the day – you’ll be able to watch everything on our YouTube channel shortly after the event.

Countdown to STF!

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See you next year!

Winter Workshops with Yuta Kato!

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Feeling the winter blues? Never fear! We’ve got the perfect fix … winter workshops with Yuta Kato!

Summer Taiko Bento

Join us this February!

Please help us welcome YUTA KATO back to the DC area this February! If you’ve already taken a workshop with Yuta, you already know what an amazing teacher he is … and if you haven’t yet had the pleasure, trust us, you do NOT want to miss out!

Here’s what you can look forward to …

  • The return of one of the best taiko teachers out there! (we know y’all are diehard Mark H fans … but never underestimate the importance of working with other great teachers to get their unique perspective)
  • The chance to try out some of the taiko community’s FAVORITE taiko styles … Katsugi Okedo, Hachijo Daiko, and Yodan Uchi!
  • The BEST possible way to warm up on some cold winter evenings … by hitting the big drums with some truly amazing folx!

Are these workshops right for me?

As long as you’ve taken at least ONE series of our Rec Class, we’ve got a Yuta workshop just for you! And if you’re a taiko veteran, we’ve got plenty of challenges in store for you too. Not sure which workshop is the best fit for you? Contact Mark H and he’ll be happy to help you choose.

Rec Class Uchikomi

Take multiple workshops & save!

Ready to Choose Your Own Yuta Adventure™️? He’s teaching three totally different styles of taiko, so pick your fave -OR- register for all three and enjoy a sweet discount!

SIGN UP TODAY!

We welcome current and returning Mark H Taiko students as well as anyone from out of town who’s looking for a little taiko camaraderie! Click that button below to get more info and register!

Registration + More Info

Give the gift of taiko this holiday season!

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Are you looking for the perfect gift for someone this holiday? Or are the Santas in your life asking what to put in your stocking?

May we humbly suggest … the gift of taiko!

Mark H Gift Card

When you give someone a workshop with Mark H, you’re …

  • gifting an experience and a memory instead of stuff
  • introducing someone to a great community
  •  AND supporting an amazing local business!

Know someone who’d like to try taiko for the first time?

Be a holiday hero! An Introductory Taiko Workshop is the perfect place to begin and a GREAT way to kick off the new year! We’ve got two coming up: Saturday, January 3rd (in Fairfax) and Sunday, January 11 (in Takoma Park).

Just sign them up here and then contact Mark H so we can email you a beautiful gift card that you can print, personalize, and give to that lucky person.

Learn to play taiko with great people at an Introductory Taiko Workshop!

Got a more experienced taiko aficionado on your list?

The winter session of our Rec Class and Styles Class will be starting up in late January and there are always more fun workshops around the corner too. Not sure what the right choice is? All you have to do is contact Mark H and he can help you sort out the perfect gift for your fave taiko player.
 

Happy holidays from all of us here at Mark H Taiko!

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