NATC 2025 Phoenix: Full Schedule

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8:00am MDT

Introduction to Shishimai (for Beginners) LIMITED

Saturday August 30, 2025 8:00am - 10:00am MDT

Participants will learn the background and basic movements of Wakayama Ryu Edo Kotobuki Jishi, the traditional celebratory shishimai (lion dance) of Tokyo.

Prerequisite/What to bring: Participants should have full body mobility without pain. Participants should wear comfortable clothing. No prior experience required.

Speakers

Ai Matsuda

Born and raised in Japan until the age of 16, Ai Matsuda (she/her) moved to Hawaii to study English. There, she began to play taiko with Hawaii Matsuri Taiko, led by Mrs. Faye Komagata – her aunt.She then had the opportunities to learn from Grandmaster Seiichi Tanaka of the San... Read More →

Saturday August 30, 2025 8:00am - 10:00am MDT
213B

Workshop, Foundational

10:30am MDT

Introduction to Shishimai (for Beginners) LIMITED

Saturday August 30, 2025 10:30am - 12:30pm MDT

213B

Speakers

Ai Matsuda

Saturday August 30, 2025 10:30am - 12:30pm MDT
213B

Workshop, Foundational

2:30pm MDT

Narimono Circuits with San Jose Taiko LIMITED

Saturday August 30, 2025 2:30pm - 6:30pm MDT

213B

In this fun and interactive workshop participants will learn the basics of chappa, shekere/hyotan, and other hand percussion instruments from Performing Members of San Jose Taiko. Narimono Circuits is patterned after circuit training for strength/endurance conditioning except in this case each station is dedicated to certain aspects of learning these instruments.

Prerequisite/What to bring: No prerequisite knowledge required.

Speakers

Yurika Chiba

Artistic Staff, San Jose Taiko

Yurika Chiba (Kawagoe, Japan/Toronto, Canada) began playing taiko in Tokushima, Japan in 1995 and has since played with groups in Australia and northern California. Yurika is a member of the Audition Process class of 2006 and joined SJT's Artistic Staff in 2007, now touring internationally... Read More →

Franco Imperial

Franco Imperial (he/him) is the Artistic Director for San Jose Taiko. He has composed over 20 original works for SJT and has co-created and produced collaborations with artists such as Abhinaya Dance Company (“Synergy” which won the 2011 Isadora Duncan Dance Award for Outstanding... Read More →

Meg Suzuki Hudson

Outreach Coordinator, San Jose Taiko

Meg Suzuki Hudson (she/her) began playing taiko and shinobue with Odaiko New England in 1999 and became a Performing Member of San Jose Taiko in 2003. She joined San Jose Taiko’s Administrative Staff in 2005 and is currently San Jose Taiko's Outreach Coordinator. In addition to... Read More →

San Jose Taiko

Saturday August 30, 2025 2:30pm - 6:30pm MDT
213B

Workshop, Foundational