Midnight Taiko Kai - Calgary, Alberta

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Performing members

Ben

Ben has played taiko since 1998, playing freestyle in city parks and cultural events. He is also an Aikido instructor teaching at SAIT and Northland Gold's Gym. He also loves to do ballroom and Latino dancing and loves to stay on the beat.

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.

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.

Hoa (Performing Apprentice)

Hoa instantly wanted to learn taiko after experiencing its 'genkiness' and fervor in festivals (matsuri) when he was living and working in Japan in 2004 in the small city of Hitachi. Initially dismissed because of the language barrier (ouch!), in 2005 he finally conjured enough Japanese to join and study taiko with Hitachi Taiko no kai. In 2006, Hoa continued practicing taiko when he moved to Toronto. After coming back from an abrupt assignment overseas, in 2007 he relocated to Calgary, and is excited to continue practicing taiko with Midnight!

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.

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 women’s 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.

Jenny

Jenny has a background in traditional Chinese dance, choir and classical piano. Her 14 years of experience in music serves as a solid background, while taiko allows her to expand her musical horizons. She especially enjoys the fact that playing taiko allows her to immerse herself in the beat of the drum and become part of the rhythm.

Peggy (Performing Apprentice)

Peggy first heard taiko at Otafest in 2006. When she returned in 2007 she made sure that she was able to watch as well. She loved the rhythm, the energy and the volume. Not only was it Japanese but it was fun! She grabbed the courage to try it out at the end of the performance and was hooked. After attending a workshop, she was determined to rearrange her work schedule so she could join the group... she later managed it. She rarely plays the piano anymore, and loves getting together with everyone to play and learn new rhythms. "I feel like a kid again!"

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.

Victor (Performing Apprentice)

Serendipity is how Victor came to fall in love with Taiko.
"I was driving around Calgary showing the town to some friends from the Yukon, when I heard a drumming! Immediately, I am pulling my guests towards the sound. I try to peek through the door, but am unable to see. To solve this problem, I knock on the door, introduce myself, and ask for a performance! To my surprise this Taiko group welcomes us with open arms and larger than life smiles. They perform for us, and even go so far as to start teaching us how to play. I am immediately taken in by this warm, fun group, and have been part of it ever since."
He says that taiko is a sparkling jewel that has added to the mosaic of his life.
Initiative, persistence, and discipline are three things he lives by. Fun and working hard is the underlying factor for him. He has a Business Administration Diploma with a major in marketing, coupled with work experience in a management background. He is currently working towards his real estate license, and looks forward to jumping into the industry with a flying kick!
"Taiko infuses me with culture, music, soul, and a fluidity of wicked vibrant beats! I believe in not only feeling the beats but making the BEATS of LIFE!"

Apprentices

Akos

Andrew

Andrew has been playing drums for approximately 8 years. Originally started in school band, his parents bought him a drumset about a year later and hes been playing ever since. With his passion for drums and percussion, he began learning and playing African Djembe as well. In 2007 he went to a show and discovered Taiko in Calgary, which eventually led him to Midnight Taiko.

Colin

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!

Former members

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.

Contact

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

» home:: info :: :: members :: calendar:: links «


» home:: info :: :: members :: calendar:: links «
Performing members Ben Ben has played taiko since 1998, playing freestyle in city parks and cultural events. He is also an Aikido instructor teaching at SAIT and Northland Gold's Gym. He also loves to do ballroom and Latino dancing and loves to stay on the beat. 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. 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. Hoa (Performing Apprentice) Hoa instantly wanted to learn taiko after experiencing its 'genkiness' and fervor in festivals (matsuri) when he was living and working in Japan in 2004 in the small city of Hitachi. Initially dismissed because of the language barrier (ouch!), in 2005 he finally conjured enough Japanese to join and study taiko with Hitachi Taiko no kai. In 2006, Hoa continued practicing taiko when he moved to Toronto. After coming back from an abrupt assignment overseas, in 2007 he relocated to Calgary, and is excited to continue practicing taiko with Midnight! 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. 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 women’s 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. Jenny Jenny has a background in traditional Chinese dance, choir and classical piano. Her 14 years of experience in music serves as a solid background, while taiko allows her to expand her musical horizons. She especially enjoys the fact that playing taiko allows her to immerse herself in the beat of the drum and become part of the rhythm. Peggy (Performing Apprentice) Peggy first heard taiko at Otafest in 2006. When she returned in 2007 she made sure that she was able to watch as well. She loved the rhythm, the energy and the volume. Not only was it Japanese but it was fun! She grabbed the courage to try it out at the end of the performance and was hooked. After attending a workshop, she was determined to rearrange her work schedule so she could join the group... she later managed it. She rarely plays the piano anymore, and loves getting together with everyone to play and learn new rhythms. "I feel like a kid again!" 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. Victor (Performing Apprentice) Serendipity is how Victor came to fall in love with Taiko. "I was driving around Calgary showing the town to some friends from the Yukon, when I heard a drumming! Immediately, I am pulling my guests towards the sound. I try to peek through the door, but am unable to see. To solve this problem, I knock on the door, introduce myself, and ask for a performance! To my surprise this Taiko group welcomes us with open arms and larger than life smiles. They perform for us, and even go so far as to start teaching us how to play. I am immediately taken in by this warm, fun group, and have been part of it ever since." He says that taiko is a sparkling jewel that has added to the mosaic of his life. Initiative, persistence, and discipline are three things he lives by. Fun and working hard is the underlying factor for him. He has a Business Administration Diploma with a major in marketing, coupled with work experience in a management background. He is currently working towards his real estate license, and looks forward to jumping into the industry with a flying kick! "Taiko infuses me with culture, music, soul, and a fluidity of wicked vibrant beats! I believe in not only feeling the beats but making the BEATS of LIFE!" Apprentices Akos Andrew Andrew has been playing drums for approximately 8 years. Originally started in school band, his parents bought him a drumset about a year later and hes been playing ever since. With his passion for drums and percussion, he began learning and playing African Djembe as well. In 2007 he went to a show and discovered Taiko in Calgary, which eventually led him to Midnight Taiko. Colin 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! Former members 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. Contact For booking information, questions or comments please contact us: midnight.taiko@gmail.com
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