Teachers

Our teachers have decades of experience performing and teaching their drumming forms. Whichever class you register for, you're assured the highest quality instruction, with logically-sequenced lessons that will help you quickly advance your skill level. 

Rome Hamner

Bio

ROME has been performing and teaching taiko for nearly 20 years. During this time she has launched and co-directed three arts organizations, and she currently sits on the international Taiko Community Alliance board. Performance highlights include drumming while suspended 200ft above an audience of 20,000, playing at international festivals, televised performances, and combining circus and fire arts with taiko. In addition to her extensive performance experience, Rome holds an Orff certification and has developed hundreds of curricula for learners of all ages. She's taught taiko in public schools, including Title I schools, private schools, and in community and after-school settings, as well as in tribal and rural communities. She believes passionately in the power of music education to improve your life, no matter how old you are when you start. She currently operates the How To Teach Taiko blog and performs with TaikoSOBA, Queer Taiko, Jun Daiko and TaikoPeace. Read more about Rome here. 

Kristin Block

Bio

KRISTIN is a queer disabled multi-instrumentalist and space scientist with a Bachelor of Music from University of Miami Frost School of Music. Originally a double bassist, Kristin’s career includes 15 years of taiko performance, Afro-Cuban, Afro-Brazilian, and Middle-Eastern percussion. She has taught private lessons, K-12 general and instrumental music, and has composed and arranged for all kinds of ensembles. She has performed across South Florida, southern Arizona, and the San Francisco Bay Area in ensembles ranging from full orchestras to jazz trios to street drumming groups, on instruments including bass, trombone, and percussion. Her current work explores interdisciplinary performance and focuses on breaking down real and perceived barriers to creative engagement. Kristin is a member of NAfME (National Association for Music Education) and PAS (Percussive Arts Society), and performs with The Awesöme Orchestra, TaikoSOBA, and South Bay Beat Institute performing groups when her health permits. Learn more about Kristin here.