Taikoz Academy

Taikoz fosters a family-friendly environment and children of all ages are welcome to begin their taiko journey with us.

Weekly classes run for four 8-week terms (coinciding with school terms) and focus on playing rhythmic patterns, developing kinetic and aural awareness, and working together as a group.

Musical games and learning short pieces of music are an important part of the younger child’s experience, while the older students concentrate more on exploring a variety of taiko playing styles, technique, complex rhythms and musical independence.

Learn how to play the fascinating, awe-inspiring taiko at the Australian Taiko Academy! Taiko playing requires great energy and teamwork – its expression is primal and earthy. Taiko playing is also great exercise. It is a musical activity that is challenging and fun, and offers wonderful benefits like reducing stress, aiding relaxation and inviting personal expression.

FAMILY PLAY TAIKO WORKSHOPS

We are thrilled to continue our fun and fascinating workshop series – Family Play Taiko. This workshop has been created so all members of your family (8+ years) can experience the joy of playing taiko together. Parents and children; grandparents and grandkids; aunties, uncles and nieces, nephews – everyone is welcome!

Family Play Taiko is a unique family experience that will energise, stimulate and excite. Taiko playing requires great energy and teamwork, as well as total integration of one’s mind, body and spirit; the rhythm of the taiko pulsates through your body – its expression is primal and earthy.

Taiko playing is also great exercise. It is a musical activity that is challenging and fun, and offers wonderful benefits like reducing stress, aiding relaxation and inviting personal expression. The Taikoz members and associates who lead our workshops are all highly trained performers and teachers. Prior musical training is not a requirement.

You do not need to purchase a pair of bachi (drumsticks) to participate in this workshop. You will be given a pair to use.

MORE INFORMATION

Ian Cleworth and Riley Lee formed Taikoz in 1997. Over the past two decades the group has developed an original repertoire of works and productions that has seen them perform on the stages of Australia's finest concert halls, in the theatres of regional Australia, and in leading theatres and concert halls worldwide. Taikoz has performed in Japan, Paris, Bangkok, Taiwan, Abu Dhabi, and the USA where the ensemble headlined the Taiko Nation concerts at the 2014 World Taiko Gathering in Los Angeles. Most recently Taikoz toured India with Chi Udaka, receiving much critical acclaim.

The group regularly appears in the theatres of regional Australia, having undertaken six Australia-wide tours. Taikoz has composed over thirty original works for taiko including several in combination with instruments such as shakuhachi, koto, marimba, saxophone, cello, drum set and didgeridoo. Distinguished composers Lachlan Skipworth, Sandy Evans, Gerard Brophy, Andrea Molino, Michael Askill, David Pye, Graeme Koehne and Timothy Constable have also written works for the ensemble.

Accepts NSW Creative Kids Vouchers