NATC 2025 Phoenix

Improvisation is pure magic! Creating sounds out of nothing that fit perfectly and complement the sounds of others, all to make something totally unique. It lets us jam with musicians we've never played with before, like having a spontaneous conversation. And it's insanely fun!
In this workshop, we’ll dive into exercises that get your brain firing on all cylinders to create quickly and respond in the moment. You’ll learn how to solo over other people’s sounds, how to be a solid foundation for others to build on, and how to complement the music purely based on your instincts. Get ready to let loose and have a blast!

Prerequisite/What to bring: - Bachi
- Any personal instrument you want to add to the mix.
- Courage to make mistakes.

About the Exadon Workshops: Connect Through Rhythm
These two-hour workshops offer an immersive and inclusive experience that anyone can enjoy. Through a variety of activities, participants will deepen their understanding of one another while exploring the power of taiko drumming.

The goal is to create a harmonious sound by actively listening and working together. By fostering cooperation and awareness, participants will rediscover essential elements of taiko performance—including listening, expression, and posture.

Beyond performance, these workshops offer insight into the broader potential of taiko. Taiko as a community builder. Taiko as a means of connection. Whether on stage or in everyday life, the rhythmic energy of taiko can inspire new ways to engage with others.
Come experience it for yourself!

Who Is It For?
● Taiko players and leaders looking to contribute to their community through drumming.
● Anyone who wants to experience a welcoming and inclusive taiko workshop.
● Those seeking to rediscover the essential elements of taiko performance.

This is a special workshop being offered by visiting artists from Hiroshima, Japan, who have an ongoing relationship with taiko groups in the Phoenix area. This is part of a series of workshops being offered by groups that have deep connections to taiko in Phoenix through relationships with Esther Vandecar, who studied with these groups in Japan and become a pioneer of the taiko community in Phoenix.

Hiroshima Hozonkai will share music from their region and their approach to taiko.

This is a special workshop being offered by visiting artists from Matsuyama, on the island of Shikoku, Japan. This is part of a series of workshops being offered by groups that have deep connections to taiko in Phoenix through relationships with Esther Vandecar, who studied with these groups in Japan and become a pioneer of the taiko community in Phoenix.

Shinsan Daiko will share music from their region and their approach to taiko.

This workshop is meant to give participants a sample of Tawoo dojo and how to use your full body to play taiko. Tawoo, created by Kaoly Asano of Gocoo, focuses on the philosophy and approach to how taiko is more than just hitting a drum, but the sound that comes from taiko also comes from deep inside of you. This workshop will focus on how to use the full body for full immersion in the sound and resonance of the groove created together. Repetition will be used to help reach grooves together. Phrases from a Tawoo song will also be taught to implement the new approach

About the Exadon Workshops: Connect Through Rhythm
These two-hour workshops offer an immersive and inclusive experience that anyone can enjoy. Through a variety of activities, participants will deepen their understanding of one another while exploring the power of taiko drumming.

The goal is to create a harmonious sound by actively listening and working together. By fostering cooperation and awareness, participants will rediscover essential elements of taiko performance—including listening, expression, and posture.

Beyond performance, these workshops offer insight into the broader potential of taiko. Taiko as a community builder. Taiko as a means of connection. Whether on stage or in everyday life, the rhythmic energy of taiko can inspire new ways to engage with others.
Come experience it for yourself!

Who Is It For?
● Taiko players and leaders looking to contribute to their community through drumming.
● Anyone who wants to experience a welcoming and inclusive taiko workshop.
● Those seeking to rediscover the essential elements of taiko performance.

This is a special workshop being offered by visiting artists from Matsuyama, on the island of Shikoku, Japan. This is part of a series of workshops being offered by groups that have deep connections to taiko in Phoenix through relationships with Esther Vandecar, who studied with these groups in Japan and become a pioneer of the taiko community in Phoenix.

Shinsan Daiko will share music from their region and their approach to taiko.

This is a special workshop being offered by visiting artists from Hiroshima, Japan, who have an ongoing relationship with taiko groups in the Phoenix area. This is part of a series of workshops being offered by groups that have deep connections to taiko in Phoenix through relationships with Esther Vandecar, who studied with these groups in Japan and become a pioneer of the taiko community in Phoenix.

Hiroshima Hozonkai will share music from their region and their approach to taiko.

Composing an original song is one of the most fulfilling things I’ve ever done. Creating something new for groups that showcases their identity and originality. But where do we start? How do we do it? How do we structure it? What are the steps? I’ve been in that place, filled with all those questions, doubting if I could really do it. The first step is always the hardest, and I want to help participants take that step. Music comes from within, but we often create so many barriers for ourselves that block it from flowing out. This workshop will be less about teaching, and more about exchanging ideas and guiding you through this personal creative journey.  

Prerequisite/What to bring: - Bachi
- Any personal instrument you want to add to the mix.
- Courage to make mistakes.

About the Exadon Workshops: Connect Through Rhythm
These two-hour workshops offer an immersive and inclusive experience that anyone can enjoy. Through a variety of activities, participants will deepen their understanding of one another while exploring the power of taiko drumming.

The goal is to create a harmonious sound by actively listening and working together. By fostering cooperation and awareness, participants will rediscover essential elements of taiko performance—including listening, expression, and posture.

Beyond performance, these workshops offer insight into the broader potential of taiko. Taiko as a community builder. Taiko as a means of connection. Whether on stage or in everyday life, the rhythmic energy of taiko can inspire new ways to engage with others.
Come experience it for yourself!

Who Is It For?
● Taiko players and leaders looking to contribute to their community through drumming.
● Anyone who wants to experience a welcoming and inclusive taiko workshop.
● Those seeking to rediscover the essential elements of taiko performance.

Written in 2008 by Diana Wu, “Release” is the wild and crazy signature piece of Naruwan Taiko of San Diego. The name of the piece represents what taiko is for so many people: a way to access their full energy potential and release it outwards, thus sharing that energy with their team and audience. In this workshop, participants will develop an understanding of the musical, physical, and, most importantly, expressive elements integral to fully present the shape of Release. Mastering these elements will equip taiko players in not just performing Release, but also reach greater heights in playing freely and elevate their skills and confidence in engaging taiko performance. Specific elements that this workshop will cover are intention of sound, use of space in choreography, versatility of expression, engagement of core for endurance, and utility of voice in boosting each other. Through this packed workshop, participants will experience unlocking not only their own energy potential, but also fully awaken the energies of those around them.

Prerequisite Knowledge: Basic taiko form and terminology

This is a special workshop being offered by visiting artists from Matsuyama, on the island of Shikoku, Japan. This is part of a series of workshops being offered by groups that have deep connections to taiko in Phoenix through relationships with Esther Vandecar, who studied with these groups in Japan and become a pioneer of the taiko community in Phoenix.

Shinsan Daiko will share music from their region and their approach to taiko.

This is a special workshop being offered by visiting artists from Hiroshima, Japan, who have an ongoing relationship with taiko groups in the Phoenix area. This is part of a series of workshops being offered by groups that have deep connections to taiko in Phoenix through relationships with Esther Vandecar, who studied with these groups in Japan and become a pioneer of the taiko community in Phoenix.

Hiroshima Hozonkai will share music from their region and their approach to taiko.