Other Members

Midnight Taiko has seen many members over the years. Like the current members, they have shared in the group's experience and contributed to its success through hard work, dedication, and a passion for playing Taiko.

Honourary members

James

James drums on anything - the table, his leg, the steering wheel, the shower wall, and finds beats in things like conversations or elevator doors opening and closing. With the incidental music of the world surrounding him, he says it feels good to let it out as taiko songs. However, not living in the same city as the rest of the group presents its difficulties. He enjoys occasional visits to Calgary, to trade beats with the other members, and aspires to one day start up a taiko scene in Saskatoon. Until then, much of his expression is limited to solo performances in his basement. (James is now the founder of Living Sky Taiko in Saskatoon, SK)

Rumi

Rumi is a Japanese-Canadian who grew up practicing the art of Japanese dancing, while secretly wishing she could bang on the taiko. After finishing university, she moved to Toronto and did a Taiko workshop there. Returning to Calgary, she is delighted to join Midnight. When she drums, she feels the freedom and can project her positive energy through the beat of the drum.

Ruth

Ruth has loved a good rhythm for as long as she can remember - she has experience with ballet, tap, ballroom dance and a myriad of musical instruments. She was deeply moved by a Kita no Taiko performance but there was no group in Calgary for her to join at that time. She finally got her chance when she moved to central Hokkaido and practiced drumming in the town's taiko group. She also joined a band as the taiko drummer during this time, composing songs with the rest of the group and performing at festivals and town events. She returned to Calgary and played taiko for eight months before returning to Sapporo and two professional groups. She enjoys impromptu jamming, teaching and performing and finds it all to be great stress relief and an outlet for her energy. (Ruth now lives in New Zealand and gets her taiko fix with Hamilton's Wai Taiko)

Former members

Dave

Dave started playing taiko in 2004 after several brushes with taiko on visits to Tokyo. Always attracted to music, he was intrigued by taiko's combination of strict discipline and free-flowing energy. He has spent the time since learning how these 'yin and yang' elements fit together in performance.

Janet

Janet's experience in southern Japan sparked her interest in taiko. For two years, she was a member of Onna no Daiko in the small town in which she lived. Although an all womens' group, Janet still stood out with white skin, red hair and long legs! Upon returning to Canada in the late nineties, she was disappointed to find out there was not an existing Japanese drumming group in Calgary. Since joining Midnight, Janet has been thrilled to re-ignite her passion for taiko.

Uta

Uta has always loved drumming. She has experience with a few African djembe drum circles in her native Germany and loves the free-flowing energy of rhythm. Uta experienced the passionate energy of Midnight Taiko Kai's first performance and continued her love of drumming with Midnight here in Calgary.

Craig

Craig loves music and has played piano for over 30 years. His training includes classical as well as modern dance music. Craig continues to compose music for anyone wants a song. He has always been concerned that even though he has played for such a long time, he has no sense of rhythm so joining a drumming group seemed to be a good idea. (Craig continues to make music in New Zealand)

Daniela

Daniela is someone who loves this amazing adventure called life. She has been spending most of her life searching for life's secrets: to happiness, to health, to love. Taiko is the conclusion of her search, that one missing piece of the puzzle. Life is not a mystery but a game that we play, moment by moment, beat by beat, always new in itself, always surprising. There is no secret to life other than "Go ahead! Dare! Play!". I dream of playing taiko and through it, expressing my joy of being alive this very moment. Thank you, taiko! (Daniela now lives in Romania with her family)

Contact

For booking information, questions or comments please contact us: midnight.taiko@gmail.com