Developing the Next Generation of Taiko Artists

Taiko Arts Center

With support from the Takitani Foundation, Taiko Arts Center is helping young people in Honolulu deepen their study of taiko while also bringing the art form to local schools. Foundation funding provided scholarships for five young taiko practitioners to attend taiko artist Kenny Endo’s 50th anniversary celebration, including the “MA vs Groove” Concerts I and II and intensive summer workshops led by local and visiting professional artists. During the first quarter of 2026, the center also confirmed five Art of Taiko lecture-demonstration programs for schools in Hawaii: Washington Middle School, Kalihi Uka Elementary School, Jefferson Elementary School, Hawaii School for the Deaf and Blind and St. Louis School.

For Taiko Arts Center, the work extends beyond music instruction. Taiko drumming is inherently collaborative, requiring students to listen closely, stay aware of the group and work together to create a unified sound. The center emphasizes a supportive and respectful environment where students feel seen, heard and valued. By learning students’ names, encouraging their input and celebrating their progress, instructors help build confidence and a sense of belonging. As trust grows, students become more willing to participate, take creative risks and support one another.

That spirit was on display during the August 2025 “MA vs Groove” concert, when the Taiko Center of the Pacific Youth Group and alumni performed two pieces. One, “Seiten no Hekireki,” was conceived and created by the youth group with guidance from its director. The piece reflected the unexpected ups and downs of life and the way the group continues forward as members graduate while their love of taiko remains. A second performance brought together youth group alumni from across 21 years, highlighting both the lasting relationships built through taiko and the talent nurtured through the program.

“As trust grows, students become more willing to participate, take creative risks and support their peers.”