TAIKOPROJECT
Always AMAZING!
— Kajsa Thuresson-Frary, Vice-President, Education, McCallum Theatre (Palm Desert, CA)

TAIKOPROJECT: 25 (Touring Fall 2025 - Spring 2026)

TAIKOPROJECT: BENZAITEN (Touring Spring 2024 - Spring 2025)

PERFORMING ARTS CENTERS

Since 2000, TAIKOPROJECT has been one of the leading American taiko performing ensembles, seamlessly combining the best of traditional and powerful taiko styles with an innovative, sublime, modern aesthetic.  

Shows currently on offer include:

BENZAITEN (Touring Spring 2024 - Spring 2025)
TAIKOPROJECT’s latest full-length work shatters gender stereotypes and challenges notions of femininity and masculinity in the taiko world.  Channeling the Japanese goddess Benzaiten, their new concert blends percussive power and strength with consummate grace and movement.  Featuring edgy and opulent new costuming by kimono couture master Sueko Oshimoto and visionary compositions by Artistic Director Masato Baba, BENZAITEN unites Japanese tradition with modern American innovation.  Instruments featured are authentic taiko drums, bamboo flutes, marimba, koto (Japanese harp), voice, and the group’s 350-pound mother drum.

8-12 performers, for venues with a medium to large stage and full production capabilities.

Mar. 29, 2024 - Clark Center (Arroyo Grande, CA)
Apr. 6, 2024 - Omaha Performing Arts (Omaha, NE)
May 2, 2024 - Mayo Performing Arts Center (Morristown, NJ)
May 4, 2024 - Englert Theatre (Iowa City, IA)
May 17, 2024 - Lancaster Performing Arts Center (Lancaster, CA) 
Jun. 10, 2024 - McCallum Theatre (Palm Desert, CA)
Sept. 27, 2024 - Edmonds Center for the Arts (Edmonds, WA)
Sept. 29, 2024 - Reser Center (Beaverton, OR)
Oct. 5, 2024 - Wengler Center, Pepperdine (Malibu, CA)
Oct. 15-16, 2024 - McCallum Theatre (Palm Desert, CA)
Nov. 7, 2024 - Buckman Arts Center (Memphis, TN)
Nov. 8-9, 2024 - Tennessee Performing Arts Center (Nashville, TN)
Nov. 10, 2024 - Kentucky Performing Arts (Louisville, KY)
Nov. 13, 2024 - Arts On Stage (Brooklyn Park, MD)
Mar. 14, 2025 - McIntyre Hall (Mt. Vernon, WA)
Mar. 15-18, 2025 - Icicle Creek Center for the Arts (Leavenworth, WA)
Mar. 20, 2025 - Methow Arts (Winthrop, WA)
Mar. 21, 2025 - Omak PAC (Omak, WA)
Mar. 26, 2025 - The Hobby Center (Houston, TX)
Mar. 29, 2025 - Prairie Center for the Arts (Schaumburg, IL)
Apr. 4-5, 2025 - Clovis Community College (Clovis, NM)
Apr. 6, 2025 - Southwest Symphony (Hobbs, NM)
Apr. 11, 2025 - New Mexico Tech Performing Arts Series (Socorro, NM)
Apr. 12, 2025 - New Mexico Highlands University Arts Series (Las Vegas, NM)

TAIKOPROJECT: 25 (Touring Fall 2025 - Spring 2026)
TAIKOPROJECT celebrates its 25th Anniversary with a new touring production featuring works never before seen on tour, acclaimed original songs and choreography, and new video content. “25” is an exhilarating and explosive concert of percussive power, strength and precision artfully blending music, theater, choreography, costumes and set design. TAIKOPROJECT’s powerful drumming unites ancient Japanese tradition with 21st century American innovation. Instruments featured are authentic taiko drums, bamboo flutes, marimba, koto (Japanese harp), voice, and the group’s 350-pound mother drum.

10-12 performers, for venues with a medium to large stages and full production capabilities.  Currently booking dates in March 2026, routing through New York, Pennsylvania, Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky, Illinois, and Wisconsin.
 

BOOKING/INFORMATION
To book these shows, contact Executive Director Bryan Yamami at bryanyamami@gmail.com or by phone at 213-268-4011.

 

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BENZAITEN Photo by Katharine Boyle

 
Poise, professionalism, and polish— the only way to describe TAIKOPROJECT, whose commitment to excellence is unparalleled.
— Anthony Bollotta, Bollotta Events

Grand Seiko Member Gala - Roosevelt Hotel Hollywood - 2023

SPECIAL EVENTS

TAIKOPROJECT has performed for special events all over the world, providing taiko to add an unforgettable, exciting visual and aural element to enthrall audiences.  From short, powerful openers to extended-length sets, we have done it all!  We pride ourselves in being the leading choice for special events, video appearances, content creation, and audio recording locally and across the U.S.  TMEG Productions, Octagon Events, Wilson Dow Group, Scarlett Entertainment, and ZenArts are just a few of the dozens of event and production companies we have worked with over the last two decades.

For more information or to discuss how we can bring some excitement and energy to your event, email Executive Director Bryan Yamami at: bryanyamami@gmail.com

Shoya House Preview - Huntington Library & Gardens - 2023

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Sumo + Sushi LA - 2023

SEIU-UHW Convention - 2022

Illumina Opening Session, San Diego - 2022

CORPORATE EVENTS

Over the years, TAIKOPROJECT has been invited to infuse taiko into store openings, employee conferences, gala dinners, product launches, fashion shows, and customer recognition events all over the world.  Each event is customized for the scale and scope of the event and we pride ourselves on 100% client satisfaction.  We bring our high standards of performance and professionalism for your event, big or small, and will leave a lasting impression on your guests!

Just look at a selection of some of the clients and venues we've performed for to see the breadth of our experience and range.

For booking information or to start customizing a taiko performance for your corporate event, contact Executive Director Bryan Yamami at bryanyamami@gmail.com.

Uniqlo Store Grand Opening, Culver City - 2023

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EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS

TAIKOPROJECT is Southern California’s premiere taiko educational program provider, serving on the region’s two prestigious educational performer rosters, The Music Center Performing Artists in Schools & Neighborhoods and the Segerstrom Center ArtsTeach Program. For more information, contact Executive Director Bryan Yamami at bryanyamami@gmail.com.

COMMUNITY PROGRAMS

TAIKOPROJECT partners with non-profit organizations, educational institutions, and municipal entities to bring taiko to audiences across Southern California. These range in scope from one-time public performances to long-term artist residencies, workshop presentations, and more!

 
Instrumentally dynamic, engaging, and visually stimulating— great entertaining fun”
— Dan Gaines, Orange County Fair
San Diego Zoo Safari Park (Escondido, CA) - Summer 2015

San Diego Zoo Safari Park (Escondido, CA) - Summer 2015

FAIRS, THEME PARKS, & ZOOS

TAIKOPROJECT is the most active taiko performance ensemble in the fair, theme park, and zoo industry.  The team has been booked for long-term and repeat engagements across the country, including the Nebraska State Fair, the Indiana State Fair, SeaWorld San Diego, the San Diego Zoo Safari Park, the OC Fair, and the Georgia National Fair.

Stage performances and strolling performances are available in various performer group size configurations, with optional audience participation segments.

OC Fair (Costa Mesa, CA) - Summer 2013

OC Fair (Costa Mesa, CA) - Summer 2013

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