1- Yodan Uchi I  ... Thu 8pm Class Team Rotato

Performers:

Alex Choi, Alison Phan, Daniel Olsen, Huy Nguyen, Keith Ortiz, Lauren Lee, Mei Laures, Nina Ota, Sean Kobashigawa

Instructor: 

Yuta Kato

Composed by Yoshihisa Ishikura, Yutaka Ishizuka, Seido Kobayashi, and Kiyonari Tosha (1970-1971)

Arranged by: Yuta Kato

“Yodan Uchi” means to play four sides. Composed by Sukeroku Daiko (formed 1959), one of the first and most influential kumidaiko groups in Japan, the piece has grown to be one of the taiko world's most loved forms.

2- Intro to Taiko Medley ... Youth Intro to Taiko  (Wed & Fri Classes)

Performers:

Anne Tsujimoto, Chonny McCartney, Colin Inada, Elliot Lo, Isla Watkins, Joseph Wodnicki, Kyrie Arakawa, Olive Wilson, Sera Thai, Tate Kurata

Instructors: 

Doug Sakamoto, Masa Miyano

Arranged by Doug Sakamoto, Masa Miyano (2023)

A medley of drills and rhythms taught to the Intro to Taiko youth classes, where all students started learning taiko this year!

3- Korekara ... Beginner Youth (Wed & Fri Classes)

Performers:

Anne Okada, Caiden Tatsuya Watanabe, Chace Kouju Watanabe, Ema Sargent, Grace Daimonji, Haruki Miyoshi, Kai Matsukuma, Margaux Fukuda-Lemieux, Mark Ono, Phoenix Fukuda-Lemieux, Piper Shimizu, Ryder Lemieux-Nakano, Rylie Iwai

Instructors: 

Doug Sakamoto, Masa Miyano

Composed by Michelle Fuji, Walter Clarke (2005)

Arranged by Doug Sakamoto, Masa Miyano (2023)

"Korekara" was composed for the 2005 North American Taiko Conference, with a spirit of deep appreciation for the taiko pioneers that have come before us and excitement about the future.

4- Dokokara I ... Intermediate Youth (Tue & Fri Class)

Performers:

Ayaka Ogawa, Braden Nakamaru, Emma Yeh, Eri Kanamaru, Ivy Hata, Kent Ishii, Maddie Braceros

Instructors: 

Masa Miyano, Yuta Kato

Composed by Yuta Kato (2007) 

Originally commissioned and performed by Zenshin Daiko, "Dokokara" draws its name from taiko syllabary, where “doko” means two strikes in the center of the drum and “kara” is two on the rim. In Japanese, the phrase “doko kara?” also means "where from?". The piece’s arrangement plays on the concept of the rippling effects of energy on its surroundings. Where does energy come from? And where does it go?

4.5- SugOroshi ... Transition Team (Thu 6pm Class)

Performers:

Sean Kobashigawa, Taylor Lee

Instructor: 

Yuta Kato

Composed by Kristofer Bergstrom and Yuta Kato (2014)

copyleft Creative Commons BY-SA

In the Kabuki shamisen world, fast alternation of notes between two players is called "sugagaki". SugAmen applies this concept to taiko and interprets the famous "Amen Break" from drum and bass.

5- Matsuri Daiko ... Tue 6pm Class

Performers:

Amy L Umezu, Camille Agoncillo, Helen Harley, Kate Steigleder, Nathan Herbert, Sheri Wilhelm

Instructor: 

Fred Visaya

Traditional

Arranged by Puna Taiko

Based on the "Matsuri", or festival rhythms of Japan. This arrangement of Matsuri Daiko introduces basic rhythms and choreography that are commonly played at Obon festivals. 

5.5- SuGuiet ... Transition Team (Thu 6pm Class)

Performers:

Christine Elegino, Taylor Lee

Instructor: 

Yuta Kato

Composed by Kristofer Bergstrom and Yuta Kato (2014)

copyleft Creative Commons BY-SA

In the Kabuki shamisen world, fast alternation of notes between two players is called "sugagaki". SugAmen applies this concept to taiko and interprets the famous "Amen Break" from drum and bass.

6- Dai Ippo ... Mon 8pm Class 

Performers:

Carol Fukuchi, Debbie Oune, Diane Fujimori, Jennie Gregg, Josh England, Kate Steigleder, Patsy Matsushita

Instructor: 

Fred Visaya

Composed by Puna Taiko (2008)

"Dai Ippo" loosely translates to "The First Step". Originally conceived as a beginner's song, the intent being for students to gain solo experience by playing short, 8-beat impromptu pieces. It quickly evolved into something much more playful and has become a signature piece of Puna Taiko.

6.5- SuGroove ... Transition Team (Thu 6pm Class)

Performers:

Christine Elegino, Sean Kobashigawa

Instructor: 

Yuta Kato

Composed by Kristofer Bergstrom and Yuta Kato (2014)

copyleft Creative Commons BY-SA

In the Kabuki shamisen world, fast alternation of notes between two players is called "sugagaki". SugAmen applies this concept to taiko and interprets the famous "Amen Break" from drum and bass.

7- Dokokara II ... Wed 8pm Class / Team 1

Performers:

Barbara Baker, Charles Curcuruto, Junko Maekawa, Misato Nakashima, Mitsue Kajikawa, Richard Diaz-Villanueva, Yasuko Kujiraoka

Instructor: 

Yuta Kato

Composed by Yuta Kato (2007) 

Originally commissioned and performed by Zenshin Daiko, "Dokokara" draws its name from taiko syllabary, where “doko” means two strikes in the center of the drum and “kara” is two on the rim. In Japanese, the phrase “doko kara?” also means "where from?". The piece’s arrangement plays on the concept of the rippling effects of energy on its surroundings. Where does energy come from? And where does it go?

7.5- Hachijo I ... Transition Team (Thu 6pm Class)

Performers:

Silvia Võ, Mei Laures

Instructor: 

Yuta Kato

Hachijo Daiko is a strictly improvisational style of taiko played by only two people: the soloist and the base-beat player. Enjoy the different voices and stories expressed through the soloists' rhythms in this powerful and graceful style that originates from Hachijo Island of Japan.

8- Mata Ne ... Wed 8pm Class

Performers:

Alison Phan, Jasper Giglio, Jennifer Fujikawa, Noriko Lee, Sharon Hayashi, Stephanie Wirtanen, Evelyn Wu

Instructor: 

Fred Visaya

Composed by Fred Visaya Jr. (2015)

Inspired by the adventures and experiences that are yet to come our way and how events can sometimes set people along different paths. This song is titled "Mata Ne", which loosely translates to "see you later", and serves as a reminder that although everyone has their own journey, any good-byes aren't forever, and we should look forward to our next encounter.

8.5- Kazanagi I ... Transition Team (Thu 6pm Class)

Performers:

Sean Kobashigawa, Silvia Võ, Taylor Lee

Instructor: 

Yuta Kato

Music: Keisuke Kato (2020) 

Dance: Yumi Hwang (2020)

Kazanagi translates to "Calm Wind" and the melody was composed by guitarist Keisuke Kato as a fue practice piece, inspired by beautiful electronic guitar duets. Percussion parts were purposefully left out so that the taiko player can insert their own artistic interpretation of the piece. UnitOne members are accompanied by dancer Yumi (from Virginia) and Marina (from Argentina) in this long distance collaboration.

9- Get Real ... Mon 8pm Class / Team 1

Performers:

Alex Ro, C-Fong, Donovan Reid, Huy Nguyen, Jennie Gregg, Jessica Koon, Katie Durnbaugh, Lauren Lee, Miyuki Todokoro, Misato Nakashima, Sean Choi, Sonoma Saito

Instructor: 

Alex Ito

Composed by Alex Ito (2022)

With dynamic choreography—inspired by Kris Bergstrom—and unconventional taiko sounds, "Get Real" celebrates the irony of finding one's own sense of individuality by following the footsteps of others.

10- Jack Bazaar ... Marina, Monica, Yumi, + Others

Performers:

Marina Gisele Roo, Mónica Vedia, Yumi Hwang, VA, + UnitOne Members

Instructors: 

Masa Miyano, Yuta Kato

Composed by Kris Bergstrom (2011)

Jack Bazaar features dynamic choreography and challenging slant-drum mutli-tone rhythms. Specifically requested by the National Theater of Japan for performance in the 2013 Nihon no Taiko concert, Jack Bazaar is one of the taiko world's most exciting compositions.

10.5- Hachijo II ... Transition Team (Thu 6pm Class)

Performers:

Christine Elegino, Taylor Lee

Instructor: 

Yuta Kato

Hachijo Daiko is a strictly improvisational style of taiko played by only two people: the soloist and the base-beat player. Enjoy the different voices and stories expressed through the soloists' rhythms in this powerful and graceful style that originates from Hachijo Island of Japan.

11- Omiyage Team 1 ... Sun 4pm & Wed 6pm Classes

Performers:

Akiyo Yamaguchi, Aya Nakano, Barbara Baker, Jennifer Fujikawa, Katie Durnbaugh, Keiko Okada, Ken Kawamura, Maria Gordon, Misato Nakashima, Richard Diaz-Villanueva, Shaun Riel, Yasuko Kujiraoka, Yuko Suto

Instructor: 

Yuta Kato

Composed by Shoji Kameda (2003)

Omiyage, meaning “gift” was created as a gift to the whole Taiko community by TAIKOPROJECT.

12- Sinsa ... Sat 10am Class

Performers:

Aki Imai, Alex Choi, Ashley Bucher, Christine Elegino, Erik Tompkins, Fred Visaya Jr., Huy Nguyen, Jared Yuge, Jeff Onuma, Jessica Koon, Katie Durnbaugh, Keith Ortiz, Lauren Lee, May Kono, Mei-Ling Laures, Miye Nakashima, Patsy Matsushita, Peter Schaedler, Reika Shimizu, Sonoma Saito

Instructor: 

Fred Visaya

Composed by Fred Visaya Jr. (2023)

"Sinsa" is the name of a subway station in South Korea. The piece was named after a trip to Japan and South Korea with Fred's dearest friends. 

13- LATI Bayashi ... Wed 6pm Class

Performers:

Aya Nakano, Consolin Mcosker, Eri Williams, Junko Maekawa, Kazue Lacey, Maggie Wang, Maria Gordon, Michi Hirose, Mitsue Kajikawa, Patsy Matsushita, Sakurako Shimizu, Sharon Tachibana, Val Chang Buhlert, Wendy Ito

Instructor: 

Fred Visaya

Composed by Isaku Kageyama (2021)

LATI Bayashi is dedicated to lovers of Bon Daiko and the Obon Festival tradition everywhere. In this piece, the goal was to capture the essence of Obon Festival drumming and the excitement of a rowdy Tokyo festival.

13.5- Hachijo III ... Transition Team (Thu 6pm Class)

Performers:

Mei Laures, Silvia Võ

Instructor: 

Yuta Kato

Hachijo Daiko is a strictly improvisational style of taiko played by only two people: the soloist and the base-beat player. Enjoy the different voices and stories expressed through the soloists' rhythms in this powerful and graceful style that originates from Hachijo Island of Japan.

14- Get Real ... Mon 8pm Class / Team 2

Performers:

Alex Ito, Christine Elegino, Donovan Reid, Kim Long Vo, Masa Miyano, Mei-Ling Laures, Misato Nakashima, Lauren Lee, Sarah Gilbert, Sako Shimizu, Sean Choi, Stephanie Wirtanen

Instructor: 

Alex Ito

Alex Ito (2022)

With dynamic choreography—inspired by Kris Bergstrom—and unconventional taiko sounds, "Get Real" celebrates the irony of finding one's own sense of individuality by following the footsteps of others.

15- Omiyage Team 2 ... Sun 4pm & Wed 6pm Classes

Performers:

Aiko Kasama, Alison Phan, Atsuko Horita, Jinwook Lee, Kim Masumi, Koji Asahi, Misato Nakashima, Nina Ota, Richard Diaz-Villanueva, Yasuko Kujiraoka, Yukie Asahi

Instructor: 

Yuta Kato

Composed by Shoji Kameda (2003)

Omiyage, meaning “gift” was created as a gift to the whole Taiko community by TAIKOPROJECT.

16- Dokokara Team 2 ... Wed 8pm Class

Performers:

Atsuko Toba, Junko Maekawa, Kazue Lacey, Mitsue Kajikawa, Ruth Kelsey, Sakurako Shimizu, Sharon Tachibana, Tish Une, Val Chang-Buhlert

Instructor: 

Yuta Kato

Composed by: Yuta Kato (2007) 

Originally commissioned and performed by Zenshin Daiko, "Dokokara" draws its name from taiko syllabary, where “doko” means two strikes in the center of the drum and “kara” is two on the rim. In Japanese, the phrase “doko kara?” also means "where from?". The piece’s arrangement plays on the concept of the rippling effects of energy on its surroundings. Where does energy come from? And where does it go?

17- Yodan Uchi Team 2 - Potate ... Thu 8pm Class

Performers:

Ashley Bucher, Christine Elegino, Jessica Koon, Kara Drapala, Katie Durnbaugh, May Kono, Peter Schaedler, Sonoma Saito

Instructor: 

Yuta Kato

Composed by Yoshihisa Ishikura, Yutaka Ishizuka, Seido Kobayashi, and Kiyonari Tosha (1970-1971)

Arranged by Yuta Kato

“Yodan Uchi” means to play four sides. Composed by Sukeroku Daiko (formed 1959), one of the first and most influential kumidaiko groups in Japan, the piece has grown to be one of the taiko world's most loved forms.

18- Modori ... LATI DONference Workshop Participants

Performers:

Connie McOsker, Marina Gisele Roo, Mike Gallan, Mónica Vedia, Quinten Fairchild, Scott Kujiraoka, Yasuko Kujiraoka

Instructors/Workshop Leaders: 

David Wells, Masa Miyano

Composed by David Wells

Modori is a joyful piece that combines energetic rhythms and a spirited fue melody to evoke the feeling of warmth and contentment upon returning to something familiar or nostalgic. Inviting an old taiko friend to perform with the group, it is a true "Modori" moment for the team members.

19- Rei ... Mon 6pm Class

Performers:

Alison Phan, Aya Nakano, Connie McOsker, Debbie Lin, Miyuki Todokoro, Nari Kim, Patsy Matsushita, Richard Diaz Villanueva, Ryan Humphrey, Shaun Riel, Wendy Ito, Tish Une

Instructor: 

Fred Visaya

Composed by Isaku Kageyama, 2015

The word "Rei" means “thanks” or “gratitude.” Rei is an Odaiko piece commissioned by Asano Taiko US that composer Isaku Kageyama dedicated to his teacher Yoichi Watanabe of Amanojaku. 

20- Summer Reprise ... LATI DONference Workshop Participants

Performers:

Jeff Onuma, Kim Masumi, Lee Cabacungan, Marina Gisele Roo, Michael Naishtut, Mike Gallan, Miye Nakashima, Mónica Vedia, Quinten Fairchild, Reika Shimizu, Scott Kujiraoka, Taylor Lee, Yasuko Kujiraoka, Yumi Hwang, VA

Instructors/Workshop Leaders: 

Fred Visaya, Masa Miyano, Yuta Kato

Composed and arranged by Aki Imai and Young Kang (2020).

Members of UnitOne, the performing ensemble based at Asano Taiko U.S., composed new taiko compositions based on the four seasons in preparation for a concert in 2020. Taking inspiration from these compositions and the natural cycle of how seasons repeat year after year, Summer Reprise was composed.

21- MoZamJam! ... Tsuchigumo Daiko Workshop Participants

Performers:

Abi Sangco, Aya Nakano, Christine Elegino, Debbie Lin, Diane Fujimori, Donovan Reid, Eri Williams, Fred Visaya, Jen Baik, Jennie Gregg, Jessica Koon, Junko Maekawa, Katie Durnbaugh, Kim Masumi, Masa Miyano, Michael Naishtut, Michi Hirose, Mitsue Kajikawa, Patsy Matsushita, Peggy Yamamoto, Peter Schaedler, Richard Diaz-Villanueva, Sonoma Saito, Stacey Nakasone, Stephanie Wirtanen, Wendy Ito, Young Kang, Yumi Yamaoka, Yuta Kato

Instructor: 

Yuta Kato, Jen Baik, Masa Miyano, Young Kang

Martin Doyle (2017)

MozamJam, a dynamic mutli-layered musical fusion, featuring rhythms influenced by drumming traditions from across the world, including Western rudimental percussion, Middle Eastern music, Japanese Taiko, a modern twist on the Mozambique, and all held together by a foundational downbeat.

Tailored for all skill levels, it encourages creative expression and celebrates diversity, offering a rhythmic journey for musicians to enjoy within a vibrant global tapestry.