Gyoko Taiko in California
Lisa and Emma from Gyoko Taiko report back on their St Hugh's Award 2014 project.
As Gyoko Taiko, the North East Lincolnshire section of our larger Humber Taiko organisation, we deliver Taiko projects across the region as well as touring and performing with our own small ensemble group. Taiko is Japanese style ensemble drumming which encompasses catchy rhythms and exciting choreography.
We applied to the St Hugh's Foundation for support in professional and company development. We wanted a residency with the world renowned San Jose Taiko in California and we had three main aims; enhancement of our performing skills & techniques, training in Taiko composition, organisation and structure, and business consultation.
Thanks to the St Hugh's Arts Award we were able to receive 3 weeks of intensive training with PJ and Roy Hirabayashi of San Jose Taiko along with their artistic staff as well as time with Kris Bargstrom of the LA Taiko Institute. We have been given a number of exercises and routines for us to practice which have improved our own performance skills as well as techniques and methods for creating and composing new work. The consultancy time we had with the staff was invaluable and has already directly impacted on our work and the way we run our business.
Without the funding from the St Hugh's Arts Award we would not have been able to move ourselves forward artistically or professionally. In the months that have followed our residency in California we have been inundated with requests for performances, training workshops, and other Taiko projects, not only because our profile has been raised as part of this project but because we now have skills and training to really back us up as Taiko artists.
Visit the website to see the project or view the Vlog.