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Artists

Makoto Taiko's membership consists of a diverse range of individuals from all backgrounds mostly from Los Angeles County. These members share a passion to learn Taiko drumming and to spread awareness of this art with audiences everywhere.

FOUNDER
Steven Tokunaga went through six months of intensive taiko training in Japan with Shumei Taiko Ensemble before founding Shumei America Taiko almost a decade later. The group later changed its name to Makoto Taiko.

CHIEF INSTRUCTOR

Koji Nakamura first underwent intensive taiko training with members of renowned taiko group Ondekoza for six months before establishing the Shumei Taiko Ensemble. During his twenty years with Shumei Taiko, Koji traveled around the world to perform at various illustrious venues, most notably at the Parliament of World Religions in Capetown, South Africa and at the United Nations headquarters in New York.

Koji eventually moved to Pasadena, CA with his family to spread and teach taiko in the United States. A master of O-daiko drumming, Koji travels regularly throughout the United States to teach other taiko drummers.

Koji's goal through taiko is to create peace and harmony in hopes that through his Taiko drumming, others will be inspired in spirit. He believes that the most important aspect of a taiko player is his or her spirituality and sincere attitude. To truly inspire others, one must play with makoto (sincerity and truth).

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Makoto Taiko© 2013