Shidara Master Class

UPDATE: Shidara Workshop Canceled

We regret to inform you that this workshop has been canceled. If you have any questions, please email info@onetaiko.org.
All deposits will be refunded in full.

Saturday, March 20 and Sunday, March 21, 2010

Odaiko New England is proud to host a Master Class with internationally renowned taiko group Shidara.

What You'll Learn

Shidara's Master Class content is tailored to each group and will likely include

• Katsugi okedo style
• Shidara's basic drumming style
• Non-taiko instruments such as chappa, atarigane, shinobue and shamisen
• The dancing and drumming of Hana Matsuri, the sacred harvest festival of Shidara's hometown
• Loosening, tightening and caring for rope-tied drums (shimedaiko, katsugi and okedo)
• Bachi- or shinobue-making

Shidara's Master Class is an intensive two day event. We’ll drum as much as possible and pack in as much as we can, going from noon on Saturday until late afternoon Sunday.

Participants from all levels of ability will find Shidara's Master Class appropriately challenging.

Shidara's Instructors

Shidara's instructors bring incomparable vision, ethics and artistic excellence to every point of focus.

The Master Class is taught by Shidara's founder and artistic director, CHABO, and by top instructor and performer, Ryuichi Tagosaku, with assistance from Megan Chao Smith, Shidara performing member and former member of Odaiko New England.

About Shidara

Shidara was founded in 1989 in Toei, deep within the mountains of Japan. Shidara tours regularly throughout Japan and Korea, with acclaimed appearances in Norway, Sweden, Martinique and Taipei. Shidara toured North America for the first time in 2006.

Shidara returns for the third time to the US with its Spring 2010 tour, "The Heart of the Immortal Mountain."

The Experience

Last spring a group of taiko players from across North America participated in the Shidara residency. Here is what residency participants had to say about their experience:

"This program allowed participation in a full range of arts, not just drumming. To be able to participate in a daily routine and experience just a little bit of the spirit of Shidara could transform a group. This was a unique treasure of an experience."
  --Brian Collins, Seattle, WA

"I thought I would only watch the shime tying, but I actually got to do it. I made my own bachi! I played 20 minutes on a huge odaiko. I never imagined I could do these things until I came here. I believe in myself now."
  --Marinda Chen, Seattle, WA

"The accessibility... from beginning taiko players to advanced taiko players was perfect. Everyone can do it and give 100%...if you don't get something out of this experience, it is your own fault!"
  --Brad Diduck, Kelowna, BC

"As a beginner, this residency has helped me catch the spirit of taiko. I want to take it back and live it. Nothing was intimidating."
  --Jackie Picard, Moab, UT

Residency participants had to travel all the way to Toei, in the remote mountains of Japan in order to benefit from Shidara's instruction. This spring, Shidara is coming to us, and they'll be packing as much taiko instruction into one weekend as possible.

Master Class Details

We regret that this classes is canceled. If you have already sent in a deposit, it will be refunded.

For more information and to stay informed about the latest updates, contact us at
shidara-weekend@onetaiko.org.