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Mark H Rooney Taiko

Taiko Instructor & Performer

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A Message for 2020 from Mark H

01.13.2020 by Mark H //

I love the start of a New Year. It’s a kind of marker, a chance to take stock of the most recent trip around the sun and then to dream optimistically about the year to come and all the possibilities.

For me, 2020 holds some personal significance in that it will be my 10th year in DC. I don’t like to tout my own accomplishments but I will say THIS: I have a gift for surrounding myself with incredible people. Smart, multi-talented, engaged, interesting and interested people: beautiful souls on every level. When I want to reflect on the growth of The Mark H Rooney Taiko School, I can easily measure it in the amazing community that has formed and I am so fortunate to be surrounded by. From the students who come through my classes to the visiting taiko artists who share their experience. From the Members of Miyako Taiko (our brilliant community group) to the audiences who have returned our energy with so much enthusiasm. From the multiple artists (both taiko and otherwise) I have had the privilege of working with to the Taiko Community at large – I can’t stress enough how important everyone has been to this upward trajectory.

This year, there are many ways that we are reflecting on the last decade (well, 9 years…) of taiko at MHT and I am excited about ALL of them EQUALLY!

Mark H Taiko School logoSakura Taiko Fest (3/28)

Every year, this event gets bigger and involves more and more taiko players from further and further out. What started as a humble recital for my students and my trio, Kizuna, (with perennial guests Nen Daiko) has become a mainstay of the National Cherry Blossom Festival and a showcase for community and collegiate taiko groups from up and down the East Coast and beyond!

Mark H Taiko School logoCONNECT 2020 (8/1 – 8/2)

The Return of CONNECT! We had such an amazing experience last time in 2018 with 70+ people congregating and playing taiko, sharing food and conversation, exchanging stories and wisdom, and there may have been a little kung-fu fighting… LET’S DO IT AGAIN! Registration opens on February 1st!

Mark H Taiko School logo#randomactsoftaiko (??? but in the Fall…)

It is rumored (unconfirmed) that after 5 years, my self-produced, interactive concert experience will make a return as a way to celebrate Ten Years of Mark H Taiko in DC! (“TEN YEARS, MAN! TEN…!” Name that obscure quote…anyone?)

Mark H Taiko School logoAll this and so much more!

MORE Miyako Taiko! MORE Mark H Taiko Connection! MORE opportunities to interact with the regional, national and global Taiko Communities!

To kick off 2020 properly, I am extremely thrilled to launch a blog on our website: Taiko Voices. This blog is a way for the world to meet and get to know some of the many amazing people who make up the Mark H Taiko family – those who aren’t always in the spotlight but are so important to the fabric of this community. And who better to edit this blog than our very own Linda Lombardi! Linda is not only a talented professional writer but ALSO, Linda has been with Mark H Taiko from the VERY FIRST workshop I ever taught in DC. Linda is the very embodiment of what it means to be a member of the Mark H Taiko Team and I am TRULY grateful that she found me and my school 9 years ago (see what I mean about surrounding myself with the BEST people…?).

– Mark H Rooney

Categories // Taiko Voices Tags // community, happy new year

2020 is almost here!

12.01.2019 by Heather Mitchell-Buck //

Happy Holidays from Mark H Taiko!

Thanks to all of you who are part of the Mark H Taiko family for making 2019 such a fun, taiko-filled year! We’d like to pause and give a shout-out to all our incredible students, fabulous Miyako and MHTX members, and amazing friends from near and far who’ve joined us for workshops or for the Sakura Taiko Takeover over the past year. YOU are what makes our corner of the taiko world such a wonderful place to be and we are so glad to have you with us on this taiko journey. Doumo arigatou gozaimashita!

Another year is almost here … and with it, as always, MORE TAIKO!

Three awesome taiko workshops to kick off 2020!

As is our tradition here at Mark H Taiko, we’ll be starting the New Year with some workshops to help you get your taiko year in gear! Please save the date and join us in Takoma Park!

Saturday, January 4

Katsugi Okedo: The Moving Drum (12:00 – 3:00pm)
The okedo daiko is a tied drum with a barrel-shaped body – and it is light enough to move with you as you play! Learn the fundamentals of this exciting style and how to move as you drum!

Taiko Communication (4:00 – 7:00pm)
Spend some time focused on the connection and communication among taiko players while also learning key techniques for improvisation and soloing in a kumidaiko context!

Sunday, January 5

Intro to Naname Uchi (1:00 – 4:00pm)
Naname uchi is a favorite of many taiko players because it offers so many interesting possibilities for movement and expression. Whether you are new to naname (pssst, it’s our focus for the Winter Advanced Skills Class starting in January!), 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!

We hope to see you there!

All three of these workshops are open to anyone who has taken at least two full series of Mark’s Rec Class or has equivalent experience (about 6 months). We welcome visitors from out of town who are looking to start 2020 off with some taiko camaraderie! (And as always, those who sign up for multiple workshops get a special discount!)

Of course there’s lots of other great stuff happening next year too – our first Introductory Taiko Workshop of the year is on Sunday, January 12; classes will be starting up again in January; we’ve got a new Taiko Voices blog series in the works, featuring many of YOU from the Mark H Taiko community; the 2020 Sakura Taiko Takeover is happening at the Tidal Basin on Saturday, March 28; AND we’ve got CONNECT 2020 coming up on August 1 & 2! SO MUCH TO LOOK FORWARD TO!

We’ll see you in 2020!

Categories // Workshops Tags // happy new year, Workshops

Happy 2015 from Mark H Taiko!

01.02.2015 by Heather Mitchell-Buck //

It’s a new year, which means there are all new taiko opportunities on the horizon! Mark H has lots of exciting stuff coming up in 2015, including:

  • a Taiko Communication Workshop on January 10 (back by popular demand! Don’t miss out!)
  • the next Introductory Taiko Workshop on January 11
  • a new Recreational Taiko Class starting up on January 25
  • more exciting collaborations with UpRooted Dance and others
  • some great performances during Cherry Blossom season
  • and much more!

To be sure you don’t miss out on any of the fun and excitement, be sure to follow Mark H Taiko on Facebook and Twitter!

We hope that you and yours have a healthy, happy, and taiko-filled 2015!

Mark H with okedo

Categories // Uncategorized Tags // happy new year, Mark H, Mark H Rooney, taiko

Meet the Artist Series

meet the artist

Join world-renowned taiko artists in an informal, intimate setting! Mark … read more

Taiko Voices

Mark H Taiko’s First Online “Meet the Artist” by Lee Blank

December 8, 2020 By Linda Lombardi

Building community and supporting other artists are founding principles of … [Read More...]

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Ongoing Classes

Sun 18

Outdoor Spring Recreational Taiko Class

April 18 @ 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Glen Echo MD
United States

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Random Acts of Taiko

TONIGHT!! In less than 7 hours, (at 8 PM Eastern S TONIGHT!! In less than 7 hours, (at 8 PM Eastern Standard Time, tonight, Friday, 2/19) - Ryo Shimamoto takes to the Meet the Artist screen! Please register ahead of time: https://www.markhrooney.com/event/meet-the-artist-ryo-shimamoto/ See you soon!
Just THREE DAYS!! Feb 19th, 8 PM EST, join us for Just THREE DAYS!! Feb 19th, 8 PM EST, join us for our fourth virtual “Meet the Artist” featuring the (intended) Artists of CONNECT2020! This one is close to my heart as it features my remarkable teacher and taiko-brother Ryo Shimamoto @jdryo!  As it will be Saturday morning in Japan (where he is joining us from), Ryo is recommending lemon tea but also encourages pear cider (which he can’t find in his area but we got him hooked on back at Kristen’s and my wedding...!) Pull up a sofa, set up a viewing device with good sound and get your drink on as we #MeetTheArtist this Friday! #MarkHTaikopresents  https://www.markhrooney.com/event/meet-the-artist-ryo-shimamoto/
Our very first INTERNATIONAL “Meet the Artist” Our very first INTERNATIONAL “Meet the Artist” event features Ryo Shimamoto @jdryo , my teacher from Wakayama, Japan! I can’t BEGIN to convey how excited I am for this - Ryo is not only a talented taiko teacher and artist but is also an endlessly engaging taiko-talker! See you Feb 19, 8 PM EST (Eastern Standard Time - please check for local time). Space in LIMITED so sign up today HERE: https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/tZYld-iurj0qHdVyTh_3ufvvyD-rk9FgNtDG  #markhtaikopresents #MeetTheArtist #withryoshimamoto
THIS SATURDAY at 8 PM EST! Mark H Taiko presents a THIS SATURDAY at 8 PM EST! Mark H Taiko presents another in our virtual “Meet the Artist” series - featuring Michelle Fujii and Toru Watanabe AND Unit Souzou ensemble! #virtualMeettheArtist #MHTpresents #unitsouzou
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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…
#randomactsoftaiko

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