Classes
No matter your age, no matter your experience level, our classes will help you unlock your creative side. The fun, connection, and personal empowerment of learning to drum are waiting for you!
Ongoing classes
All classes below are currently online due to COVID-19. Registration info below. We understand this is a difficult time for many; we’re offering these classes at no cost, with contributions gratefully accepted via PayPal. Hope to see you at a Zoom class soon!
Register
In this class we move, sing songs, play games, chant, dance, use body percussion, and develop an understanding of beat, rhythm, and tempo using taiko and taiko-related instruments as our foundation. Taiko-centric music education, designed and delivered by passionate music educators with extensive experience teaching music to children of all ages, in public and private schools, using current music standards. No equipment required; participants can use their hands and laps, wooden spoons on a towel, or their imaginations in lieu of a drum! No cost. Contributions of any size gratefully accepted via PayPal.
In this class we further develop awareness of beat, tempo, and dynamics with games, songs, movement, and body percussion. We learn about taiko, related instruments, and the sounds they make, and we learn a short taiko song. Taiko-centric music education, designed and delivered by passionate music educators with extensive experience teaching music to children of all ages, in public and private schools, using current music standards. No equipment required; participants can use their hands and laps, wooden spoons on a towel, or their imaginations in lieu of a drum! No cost. Contributions of any size gratefully accepted via PayPal.
Tap Along Play Along Community Taiko Wednesday
Community group level taiko! One registration gets you in to one or all Wednesdays. All sessions are different, and you can join at any time! You’ll play a lot and have fun in these well-organized classes: drills, games, skill development, song rhythms, body percussion, and movement to expand your practice, keep you limber between rehearsals, or just for fun. No equipment required; use hands, wooden spoons or bachi on a towel, or any type of practice drum. (Wednesdays and Saturdays are different!) No cost. Contributions of any size gratefully accepted via PayPal.
Tap Along Play Along Community Taiko Saturday
Community group level taiko! One registration gets you in to one or all Saturdays. All sessions are different, and you can join at any time! You’ll play a lot and have fun in these well-organized classes: drills, games, skill development, song rhythms, body percussion, and movement to expand your practice, keep you limber between rehearsals, or just for fun. No equipment required; use hands, wooden spoons or bachi on a towel, or any type of practice drum. (Wednesdays and Saturdays are different!) No cost. Contributions of any size gratefully accepted via PayPal.
Post-Pandemic
(all dates TBD)
Beginners Taiko
This 4-week series will introduce you to taiko basics, including form, beats, and simple rhythm patterns. Come for the drumming, stay for the fun! Fill out this form to register and then pay in person.
held at
Purdance Studios
1530 Oakland Rd #135
San Jose, CA 95112
Map
Ages: 15+
Experience: none required
Equipment: All equipment will be provided for class. Participants welcome to bring their own bachi (sticks), but this is not required.
Fee: $100.
Community Taiko
This session will cover beginning taiko skills including stance, strike, and kuchishoka (the oral system used in taiko). Come ready to drum and have fun! Fill out this form to register and then pay in person.
3-4:30 PM
held at
Purdance Studios
1530 Oakland Rd #135
San Jose, CA 95112
Map
Ages: 15+
Experience: none required
Equipment: All equipment will be provided for class. Participants welcome to bring their own bachi (sticks), but this is not required.
Fee: $100
Intro to Taiko Drumming Workshop
Next Date TBD
Always wanted to try taiko? Then this is the session for you! A hands-on introduction to a powerful style of drumming, you’ll walk away with a better understanding of taiko history, culture, and just how much fun it can be to play!
held at
Purdance Studios
1530 Oakland Rd #135
San Jose, CA 95112
Map
Ages: 15+
Experience: none required
Equipment: All equipment will be provided for class. Participants welcome to bring their own bachi (sticks), but this is not required.
Rally Drumming
Ages: 15+
Experience: Any drumming experience (including Community Taiko)
Equipment: Lightweight mobile percussion and sticks provided for class. Participants welcome to bring small percussion such as djembe, okedo, caixa, and clave.
Throughout human history, drums have been used to gather, rally, and inspire groups of people to action. Take part in this workshop to learn how you can use lightweight drums and hand percussion to amplify the impact of rallies, marches, and other social actions.
Itty Bitty Taiko
ages 4-5
Next session dates TBD. Check back for more info!
Ages: 4-5
Experience: none required
Equipment: All equipment will be provided.
Fee: $80
This class will introduce your 4 or 5-year-old to Japanese ensemble drumming and important music fundamentals like playing on a steady beat and following a conductor, all of which is great prep for music, dance, reading, and math. Some activities will be open for parent participation.
Questions on classes? Send us an email!
Big Kid Taiko
ages 6-8
Next session dates TBD. Check back for more info!
Ages: 6-8
Experience: none required
Equipment: All equipment will be provided.
Fee: $80
Preparing your 6-8 year-old for more advanced taiko classes, we’ll introduce taiko basics like kuchishoka, following a jiuchi, and playing in unison.