Nagado Basics, Philosophy and Fun! with Kenny Endo

We are very excited to announce the opportunity to participate in two workshops led by Kenny Endo (Taiko Center of the Pacific, Hawaii) on Wednesday 21st April 2027 at the Taiko Centre. Below is all the information you need about Workshop 1, and how to book. Please note: if you are interested in taking part you need to book by Monday 7th December 2026, so we know we have enough participants to make the workshops viable. Payment for the workshops must be made by Monday 11th January 2027.

Workshop 1: Wednesday 21st April
2.00 – 4.30pm £35 per person

This workshop will introduce the various types of taiko, and the various genre of music that taiko is used in. Basic rhythms, Kata (form), Oto, (sound), stance, grip, movement, kiai (vocalization), kuchi shoga (rhythmic syllables), and playing from the tanden (center) will be introduced. A practice piece will be taught. In Japanese, the word for music is ongaku, meaning ‘enjoyable sounds’. Taiko should always be enjoyable to both performers and the audience. This workshop will ensure, no matter how much experience you have playing taiko, that participants can dig deeper and get to a whole new level of playing. This workshop is suitable for everyone who plays taiko regularly.

To book please email [email protected] making it clear which workshop you are booking for. Places will be filled on a first come, first served basis. Once the workshops are full we will start a waiting list.

Don’t miss this brilliant opportunity of teaching from an amazing taiko professional, one of the original taiko players in the US bringing some superb taiko energy all the way from Hawaii!

About Kenny Endo

Kenny Endo stands at the vanguard of contemporary taiko, re- defining traditional Japanese drumming through bold innovation and global collaboration. A master performer, composer, and educator, Endo blends classical Japanese forms with jazz, world music, and improvisation— crafting original works that bridge cultures and resonates to audiences across generations. In 2025, Kenny celebrated 50 years on his path of the taiko. Originally trained as a jazz musician in the Asian American cultural renaissance of 1970s California, Endo began his taiko career first with L.A.’s groundbreaking Kinnara Taiko, then with the renowned San Francisco Taiko Dojo, the first kumi daiko (ensemble drumming) group outside of Japan. In 1980, he embarked on a decade-long odyssey in his ancestral Japan, studying and performing with the masters of classical drumming, traditional Tokyo festival music, and ensemble drumming. Endo has the honour of being the first non-Japanese national to have received a natori (stage name and masters license) in hogaku hayashi (classical drumming). In the hogaku world, Endo is known as Mochizuki Tajiro. In 2025, Endo celebrated 50 years as a professional taiko artist with MA間 vs GROOVE – a week long event in Honolulu featuring two distinctly different and dynamic concerts, along with educational outreach, workshops, cultural presentations, and a film screening of “Healing Beats” by Ivan Munoz Ureta. The celebration continued with performances across the neighbouring islands and continental U.S.A. collaborating with artists from a wide range of genres.

To find out more about Kenny Endo please visit his website here.