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Mark H Rooney Taiko

Taiko Instructor & Performer

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Support the Future of Taiko in DC

12.20.2020 by Mark H //

CONNECT 2020 limited edition thank-you shirt

This year, 2020, will forever be marked by its various challenges – on both a global scale and on a very personal front. Each of us has been confronted by and made to bear the burdens of a national reckoning, a global pandemic, a struggling economy, and the test of our own demons.

By comparison, the problems facing a small arts entity in the DC area are minuscule. I feel fortunate for that. I also feel a deep sense of gratitude for the communities I am surrounded by: my wife, of course, and my family and friends, but also the global taiko community, the community of local artists, and most immediately, my Mark H Taiko community. I appreciate the members of Miyako Taiko for continuing to value the connections we build together (even from a distance), the students and audiences for their continued support and generosity, and my fellow taiko artists for helping to weather this long, cold night together.

Truth be told, a low point for me this year was having to cancel CONNECT 2020, which had been scheduled for this past summer. It was going to be a high point of my year … and it just couldn’t happen. But it was so uplifting that a large majority of the folx who were registered opted to keep their spots in the event as we look forward to presenting it NEXT summer (and YES, we are optimistically – and with a LOT of consideration for safety and comfort – still hoping to CONNECT in 2021!). Our amazing slate of workshop leaders have ALL agreed to stay on, and we have been re-imagining how to hold this event in our current climate without compromising its mission or quality.

I know that there are many great causes to consider at this time – indeed, for many of us now, the cause is just to stay afloat. I would encourage those of you who can do so to continue to support those in need – those who lost jobs due to the pandemic; those whose businesses took a hit or had to close; restaurants, artists, and entertainers; and of course those on the front lines including the heroic medical staff fighting daily to keep us all healthy and safe.

And if you are able to support the optimism, the hope, and the future for CONNECT and other future taiko events as we make our way to a “New Normal” – one where we don’t take anything for granted and we can be thankful for something as simple as sharing taiko with friends both old and new – please do consider making a contribution to Mark H Taiko.

As a gift for your support, and also as a reminder that optimism is a powerful force, for your donation of $35, I’d like to send you a LIMITED EDITION CONNECT 2020 t-shirt. This token of my sincere gratitude will be sent out to supporters in early 2021 – so if you’d like to receive one, please be sure to click the button below before February 1st!

Get your t-shirt here!

Wishing everyone happy (and SAFE) holidays and a happy & hopeful new year!
— Mark H
Mark H Taiko School logo

Categories // CONNECT 2020, Updates Tags // CONNECT 2021

A message from Mark H

06.05.2020 by Mark H //

I’ve been trying to think about a deep, impactful message for days – and I can’t. Nothing I write can make a difference, as honest and heartfelt as it may be. I absolutely denounce the actions taken by four law enforcement officers in Minneapolis that led to the senseless death of George Floyd. And also ALL the criminals who work IN OUR SYSTEM to cause the tragic and senseless deaths of African-Americans so disproportionately. I also absolutely denounce those in positions of power who benefit from the widening divisions they seed in our nation’s people.

But we have an epic task before us – as a nation and as individuals – I, myself, as an individual. We MUST do better, we must educate ourselves – listen, support, learn, BELIEVE, and take action, MEANINGFUL action.

Vote. Support. Read. Engage. Connect. Connect with people you know and care about – make sure they are doing okay. If not (which is likely and understandable), listen to the WHY.

And in all these things, FOLLOW UP. It might seem impossible right now, but we have proven time and again that we so easily forget.

We CAN change. And we MUST.

Gratitude to ALL of those on the frontlines (fronts keep multiplying).

Stay Safe, Stay Strong,
— Mark H
Mark H Taiko School logo

For all of us seeking to facilitate change…

#WeAreDoneDying from the NAACP

Seeking Justice from the Southern Poverty Law Center

Let’s Fight Racism from the United Nations

Securing Justice For All from the Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights under Law

Fighting Police Abuse: A Community Action Manual from the ACLU

Categories // Updates Tags // Black Lives Matter, Solidarity

A message from Mark H

03.31.2020 by Mark H //

Warm (though distant) Greetings, Everyone!

I am somewhat without words for the moment. I was caught as off-guard as anyone when the world shut down and I went from trying to figure out a line-up for a busy season of performances to trying to figure out which groceries have the best shelf life.

As I come to a place of acceptance, I still harbor the need to provide … SOMETHING for my students, my taiko family and the broader community. Largely, I have the MOST inefficient skill-set to face the “current abnormal” (I refuse to call it the “new normal” as it implies both longevity and business-as-usual!). But, luckily, I am surrounded by people with amazing adaptability and energy for moving forward. Inspired by those people, I am determined to do what I can.

A few quick updates…
  • Intro Workshops for April 19th and 26th are both CANCELLED. We will be sure to get new workshops scheduled as soon as  we can get back to the studio!
  • The Tsuru For Solidarity March and Rally set for June 6th is POSTPONED. We’ll share the new date for this event as soon as it has been set (May not be til Summer 2021, but stay tuned)
  • CONNECT 2020 is currently STILL SCHEDULED for August 1&2. There is of course the possibility that it will need to be postponed, but that discussion is still a few weeks out as we all wait to see how the world changes. In the meantime, deadlines for early registration and full refunds are extended indefinitely until we have more information.
For the time being…

I will work on my virtual game! I am fortunate to have not only a huge backlog of videos from recitals, performances, etc. that I can share, but also space in my house where I can play taiko AND a garage where I can make drums and stands. I also have the materials to make at least a dozen taiko on hand and MANY drums that need re-heading! I intend to put all these resources to work for the duration and be ready to come out on the other side of this pandemic SWINGING (a bachi… at a large drum. I’m not a fighter!)

Please stay connected!

Even though we can’t be together in person, the Mark H Taiko School lives on!

  • Check out our newly-hatched Taiko Voices blog featuring members of the Mark H Taiko community from long-time players to newer students!
  • Visit my YouTube channel for past performances by my students, Miyako Taiko and others (with exponentially more content coming soon!)
  • Follow me on social media: I’m MarkHTaiko on both Instagram and on Facebook
  • And, of course, feel free to explore my website – there are quite a few items to discover!
And stay tuned!

I will do my best to keep y’all up-to-date as we generate new content online and plan for the future. In the meantime, everyone please take care of yourselves and loved ones, continue to connect at a responsible distance and show your support for all those on the front lines – medical care workers and other essential fields. Try to patronize local businesses and services much as you can. And, if possible, show some love for your favorite artists and entertainers to make sure that we all have a vibrant world to return to once we all get through this crazy time.

Be Well, Stay Strong, Move Ahead,
— Mark H

Mark H Rooney Taiko logo


If you’d like to support The Mark H Rooney Taiko School and its various future programs, please consider a donation of any size. Greatly appreciated!

Donate via PayPal
Donate via Venmo

@MarkHRooney

Categories // Updates Tags // community, DC, taiko

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Random Acts of Taiko

Happy New Year! Look - shiny and new! A new year n Happy New Year! Look - shiny and new! A new year now and... nothing is different... Still a pandemic, still political ridiculousness, still unemployed. But somehow, I have a sense of optimism for the future! Forward and forward, 2021!! #forwardandforward
“...it’s been emotional...” Trying not to lo “...it’s been emotional...” Trying not to lose the hard-learned lessons of this year but really ready to move forward. #2020weOUT
Our small Christmas crew befits our little Holiday Our small Christmas crew befits our little Holiday Celebration. Wishing everyone near and far a Happy, Healthy and Peaceful Holiday Season and Hopeful 2021 - From Kristen, Mark, Roxie, Bella, and Rocket #randomactsofliving #HolidaySeason2020
A person of distinguished tastes... No, we are not A person of distinguished tastes... No, we are not selling fine scotch but our next #MeetTheArtist guest will be DAVID WELLS!! And he recommends enjoying the experience with a.) scotch, b.) chai tea, or c.) Dr. Pepper (“in descending order of pomp” - Mark H). Join us next Sunday, Dec 20th at 8 PM EST! For more details and to register: markhtaiko.com  #MeettheArtistDavidWells #MHTpresents #randomactsoftaiko
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About Mark H

Mark H Rooney studies, performs, and teaches taiko: a dynamic form of full-body drumming based in Japanese tradition. Mark combines that traditional foundation with a modern sensibility to create performances and classes that are full of energy, endurance, and excitement!

Interested in bringing taiko to your school, organization, or event? Contact Mark H. Mark will work with you to tailor a workshop or performance to meet your needs…
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