Mark H Rooney Taiko

Taiko Instructor & Performer

Two chances to try taiko this spring!

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Big News!

Our Introductory Taiko Workshops have been super popular lately … so we’ve added a second one this April!

If you (or a friend, or a family member, or a random person you were chatting with at Starbucks) have been wanting to try taiko, now is the perfect time. Join us on either Saturday, 27 April or Sunday, 28 April in Takoma Park and learn what it’s like to play a drum with your whole body!

These workshops have been selling out fast … and with Cherry Blossom season coming up soon, we know we’ll have a lot of folks who want to get in on the fun. Don’t miss out – register today!

Kris Bergstrom: Artist in Residence

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Announcing our first Artist in Residence for 2018: Kris Bergstrom!

Kris Bergstrom

One of our goals here at Mark H Taiko is to help everyone in our local taiko community experience a wide variety of taiko workshops and performances. And one of our favorite ways to do that is to bring amazing taiko players here to DC. So we are delighted to announce that Kris Bergstrom will be joining us in February for a week of workshops, classes, and a special performance!

Kristofer Bergstrom is an accomplished taiko performer, composer, and choreographer, known for pushing the tonal possibilities of Japanese drums and for his groundbreaking movement for slant-style taiko.  He was a founding member of On Ensemble, formed Los Angeles Taiko Institute alongside Yuta Kato, and is currently 2017-2018 Artist in Residence for Los Angeles County.

Kris will teach two open workshops as well as giving a special performance during his time in DC. He’ll also be stopping by our classes during the week and is available for private lessons – if you’re interested in booking some time with him, contact Mark H.

 The Naname Stylings of Kris Bergstrom

Sat, Feb 17, 6-9pm

Kris teaching

Learn the guiding principles of Kris’ unique approach to slant-style choreography, some advanced rhythm techniques he’s developed, and some of his newest work. Open to anyone with experience playing naname-uchi!

More info & registration   click here

 Easing into composition: three ways to write your first piece

Sun, Feb 18, 11am-2pm

https://www.markhrooney.com/event/meet-artist-kris-bergstrom/?instance_id=4593Learn the techniques that have helped Kris overcome his fears of composition and choreography to find compelling creations, as well as composition exercises that reveal the practical details. Open to players of all levels.

More info & registration   click here

 Sign up for both workshops and save!

Sign up for BOTH workshops to make the most of Kris’ visit to the DC area and save $20!

 Meet the Artist

Sun, Feb 18, 7:30pm

Kris Bergstrom setJoin Kris as he presents some of his newest work for taiko in an intimate and informal setting.

More info   click here

The return of Kaoru Watanabe!

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Join us on Nov 18 & 19 for a great weekend of taiko!

Kaoru Watanabe is a Brooklyn-based composer and musician who specializes in both taiko and shinobue (Japanese flute). A former member and artistic director of the internationally renowned taiko ensemble Kodo, Kaoru is an instructor for kaDON (an online taiko and fue resource presented by Miyamoto Unosuke Shoten of Tokyo) as well as the founder of the Kaoru Watanabe Taiko Center in New York. He has been a visiting lecturer at Princeton University since 2010 and has taught courses at Wesleyan University as well as Colby and Dickinson Colleges. He also has extensive training in Western music, having earned a BFA in jazz flute and saxophone performance from the Manhattan School of Music.

It’s been two years since we last hosted Kaoru at the Mark H Taiko School and we’re excited to have him back in DC this  month! He’ll be offering two workshops as well as a Meet the Artist performance:

 Miyake Workshop

Saturday, November 18, 6-9pm

Miyake is a traditional Japanese taiko drumming style that has become known through works of the taiko group Kodo. Kaoru’s workshop draws on his considerable experience with traditional and contemporary Japanese dance and drumming as well as his work with dancers, musicians, and martial arts experts from across the globe.

More info & registration   click here

 Form and Function Workshop

Sunday, November 19, 3-6pm

Kaoru Watanabe on Odaiko

This workshop will help you develop stamina, stability, and greater body awareness in order to play taiko with considerably more power, efficiency, and grace. This is a great opportunity for any taiko player, whether you’ve been playing for years or have just finished up your first session of Mark’s Rec Class!

More info & registration  click here

 Sign up for both workshops and save!

If you register for BOTH workshops, you not only save $20, but you also get to enjoy more taiko time to tide you over until our classes start back up again in January!
 

  Meet the Artist

Sunday, November 19, 7pm

Kaoru Watanabe @ Shapeshifter LabIn this unique evening, Kaoru will perform current pieces, discuss his methodologies in composition and improvisation, and share his artistic influences (ranging from Noh Theater to jazz music to his experience with multi-cultural and multi-disciplinary collaboration) in an intimate and informal setting.

More info  click here

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