We have an amazing lineup of instructors coming to CONNECT 2025! And because of the unique format of the conference, there’s no need for you to agonize over which workshops to sign up for…you just have to register and show up. 😉
12 hours of taiko with 4 phenomenal instructors. Don’t miss out: registration coming soon!
Kristy “Aki” Oshiro
(they/them)
Aki is a queer, trans, non-binary, fourth-generation Japanese Okinawan-American professional taiko artist based in Sacramento and the San Francisco Bay Area. Aki began their taiko journey at age 9 with Kona Daifukuji Taiko in Kona, Hawai’i. They served as an instructor and touring ensemble member with Portland Taiko (2001-2007) while earning a bachelor’s degree in music performance (percussion) from Portland State University. From 2007 to 2014, Aki was an instructor and youth programs director at Sacramento Taiko Dan. Currently, they are the founder and Artistic Director of Tsubaki Ensemble, SOKO Taiko, and Queer Taiko, as well as the Creative Director of Placer Ume Taiko. Aki also teaches at San Mateo Buddhist Temple Taiko and is a touring member of Taikoza and Unit Souzou.
Emily Harada
(she/her)
Emily began playing taiko at the age of 7 with Ho Etsu Taiko at the Midwest Buddhist Temple of Chicago. She went on to study with Somei Taiko and Taiko Center of the Pacific in Hawaii, and returned to help lead the ensemble. Notably, she recently completed a two-year intensive study with Kaoly Asano of Tawoo Dojo and Gocoo in Tokyo, Japan. She has returned to the U.S. to work full time for TaikoArts Midwest as an artistic apprentice and as staff for kaDON. With a master’s degree in athletic training and experience in biomechanics, she’s interested in movement and what the body can do with taiko.
嶋本 龍
(he/him)
龍 first encountered taiko at age 11 in his hometown of Yuasa in Wakayama Prefecture, where he still lives and performs taiko today. He led Shippu Uchi Daiko for 15 years and launched his career as a professional solo taiko performer and instructor in 2008. 龍’s style of playing emphasizes sensitivity, power, and clarity. He received his odaiko training from former Kodo core player, Mr. Katsuji Kondo, and has won several awards for his odaiko performances at taiko competitions across Japan. 龍 is also an acclaimed composer whose pieces are performed by groups in Japan, Hong Kong, Europe, and the U.S.
Young Park
(she/her)
Young was born in South Korea and immigrated to Boston, Massachusetts at age 7. She began studying music (viola) at the age of 10 and pursued music and modern dance in both college and graduate school, earning her master’s degree from the University of Michigan. In 1992, she co-founded SAFMOD (Cleveland, OH), a multi-disciplinary performing arts group that focused on creating original dance, music, and visual art. As Artistic Director of SAFMOD (1993-2004), she created numerous original dance pieces, influenced by movement styles like butoh, contact improv, capoeira and stilting. She joined Raging Asian Women (RAW) Taiko in 2007 and became Artistic Director in 2017. She is also the Director of the Toronto Taiko Festival.
