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Mark H Rooney Taiko

Taiko Instructor & Performer

CONNECT is back!

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Join us July 30 & 31, 2022!

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Are you ready to re-CONNECT?

We are BEYOND EXCITED to announce that after being postponed … twice … CONNECT is finally back!

From the very beginning, it was essential to all of us at Mark H Taiko that CONNECT be the awesome shared experience that we’re all looking for. And ESPECIALLY after too many months of not nearly enough connection, we wanted to be sure that ALL our participants, instructors, and staff felt comfortable playing taiko together and connecting, person to person – which has always been our main focus for this event!

And even though things in the world today are not 100% “back to normal,” we do feel confident that we can deliver that experience this summer! And so, mark your calendars, break out your bachi, and plan to join us in College Park, MD this July for CONNECT 2022!

So what can I expect at CONNECT 2022?

Everyone who attends CONNECT will get to take the same 4 awesome workshops – that’s 12 total hours of drumming in 2 days – with our amazing instructors: Yurika Chiba, Ryo Shimamoto, Michelle Fujii & Toru Watanabe of Unit Souzou, and David Wells! PLUS there will be lots of other great stuff like Taiko Open Mic Night, discussion sessions with our instructors and other special guests, and of course lots of opportunities to connect with your fellow taiko players!

See y’all this summer!!

We’re working to get all the details ready for you before registration opens in early 2022 – make sure to reserve July 30 & 31 on your calendar so you don’t miss out!

Bring on the kumidaiko!

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We can’t wait to get back to our regular taiko classes in just a few short weeks! And because we’re starting a NEW class this fall, we wanted to take a moment to tell y’all a little about it…

Introducing the Intermediate Styles Class!

After the past 18 months, we know everyone is ready for more connection and more interaction – in short, more KUMIDAIKO! So we’re putting our Advanced Skills Class on hold (because that class is more about working on your own individual technique) and swapping in our new Intermediate Styles Class for the fall!

Who should take this class?

If you’ve been part of our Rec Class for a few sessions and took our recent Intro to Naname-Uchi Workshop a couple weeks ago, this is perfect for you! The class combines all the fun and kumidaiko of the Rec Class with a bit more of a challenge. We’ll move at a slightly faster pace and learn the dynamic style known as naname-uchi. Many taiko players (side note from Heather: I am one of them!!) say that naname is their favorite because it opens up all kinds of cool moves and is super-energizing to perform. AND it helps you build on all those great feelings of connection with your fellow taiko players: you simply see and interact with each other in a different way when you’re playing naname. (Trust me, you’ve just gotta try it to understand!)

If you’re a taiko player who’s new to the DC area and you’ve got experience playing naname, we’d also love to have you join this class – it’s a great way to get to know the Mark H Taiko community, keep those taiko muscles in shape, and dig into the nuances of “Matsuri”!

And if you’re a member of Miyako Taiko who’s feeling like you’re ready to up your naname game after being a bit out-of-practice on this style after the past year, OF COURSE we’d love you to join us too!

OK, sounds great! When is the class?

We’ll meet on Wednesday evenings this fall, from 8:00 – 10:00pm. We’ve found this time gives most folx enough time to get something to eat after work, change into their taiko clothes, and make it over to DX for class! Yeah, maybe you’ll be a teensy bit tired on Thursday mornings, but it is WORTH IT! 🙂

Ready to sign up?

Register here!

Not ready for this class yet?

Never fear, we’re still running our Rec Class! And for anyone who’s brand new to taiko, we have two Intro Workshops coming up on October 23 and December 5!

Join us for August Workshops!

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August Workshops with Mark H Taiko

It’s Obon time in Japan and all of us here at Mark H Taiko are feeling that festival mood! We’re celebrating the spirit of Obon with a series of four awesome workshops … including two based on “Matsuri,” a song that developed out of traditional Obon rhythms!

These workshops are the perfect way to get your taiko groove on – just in time for our regular classes to start back up this fall. There’s a little something for everyone this weekend, so save the date and join us in Takoma Park!

Saturday, August 14

Intro to Naname-Uchi (1:00 – 4:00PM)

This workshop introduces the stance, technique, and form that are the basis for this challenging and dynamic style that has become a staple of the North American taiko community. Whether you are new to naname (it’s our focus for the Advanced Skills Class this fall, so if you’d like to join that class, don’t miss this!), looking to brush up on fundamentals, or interested in exploring the methodology for teaching this style in your own group, this workshop is for you!

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Matsuri Reloaded (5:00 – 8:00PM)

“Matsuri” is a taiko classic for a reason! This workshop is perfect for anyone interested in learning this piece for the first time or refreshing their Matsuri skills. Even if your first naname experience was at the intro workshop happening earlier in the day, you are invited to join us as we explore this fun set of rhythms! 

Sunday, August 15

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Matsuri Re-mix (1:00 – 4:00PM)

This advanced workshop covers strategies for creating solos and even writing your own variation of “Matsuri” by building a vocabulary of rhythm and movement around set structures. A great opportunity to boost your creative energy and express yourself!

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Taiko Drills: From Simple to Insane! (5:00 – 8:00PM)

Just joined our classes recently? This workshop is FOR YOU! Been playing for years? This workshop is ALSO FOR YOU! These drills will challenge you to develop your timing, technique, bachi control, ambidexterity, and so much more! (Oh, and did we mention these drills help you learn to play on multiple drums at the same time?)

We hope to see you there!

We welcome current and former Mark H Taiko students as well as anyone from out of town who’s looking for a little taiko camaraderie! Click on any of the workshop links above to get more info and to sign up!

Because we are still limiting workshop capacity of the safety and comfort of everyone, register EARLY! Our recent workshops have filled up quickly, so don’t miss out!

Planning to take multiple workshops?

OF COURSE we have you covered with a sweet discount … the more workshops you take, the more you save!

Extra discounts for college & high school students!

We know that a student budget doesn’t always make it easy to sign up for workshops like these, so we have a special 35% discount for college & high school students! Click on any of the workshop links to learn more!

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