Classes & Programs
Fushicho Daiko offers classes, workshops, artist in residence programs, interactive performances, and innovative specialty programs. We’ve worked with numerous schools and community groups throughout the region, and our flexible programs can be tailored for your school or group.
Workshops:
Adult Beginner class
This for students starting from scratch or have just come to Phoenix from out of state. Every new student should start here to learn the dojo’s standard tunes and the basics of taiko. This class meets on Thursdays, from 5:30-7:00pm and usually includes 5-10 students. This class is $60/month.
Aozora (Intermediate)
Admission into this group is by consensus, once a student has learned the basics and knows the basic dojo repertoire. Aozora meets on Thursdays, from 7:30pm-9:30pm, and generally includes 8-11 members. This class is $70/month.
Saboten (Intermediate)
Admission into this group is by invitation only. Saboten meets on Fridays, from 7-9pm, and generally includes 8-11 members.
Children’s Beginner class
Saturdays, 12:30-2:00 pm, ages 5-12. $60/month. Contact us for more info!
Kemushi Children’s Taiko (Advanced)
Admission into this group is by invitation only, students receive extensive training in technique, stage presence and repertoire. Fun and inclusive!
Phoenix Taiko Kai (Advanced)
Phoenix Taiko Kai (PTK), typically includes 7-10 members. Admission into this group is by invitation only. PTK meets on Tuesdays, from 7-9pm. This class is $70/month.
“Wa” and Skills courses
These courses are held periodically and are taught by Ken Koshio to introduce students to dojo etiquette, taiko spirit, form, and much more.
Residencies
One-month residency
Taught by Eileen Morgan or Ken Koshio, our one-month residency provides a school and its students a memorable musical/cultural experience. Every child in the school has the opportunity to spend 40-50 minutes with an artist. Usually the first 20 minutes is spent on Question & Answer about Japanese culture and the last 20 minutes is spent at the drums. Kindergarten and first graders are often given 1/2 a class because of the height of the drums and the attention span of this age group, but it is at the discreation of the school. The school usually selects a grade level; 4th, 5th, or 6th are ideal, but 1st, 2nd, and 3rd graders are options too. The core groups usually meet 3 – 5 times a week in order to join Fushicho Daiko, the performing group. Japanese art projects in all classrooms are encouraged at all grade levels to decorate the school during the residency and for the culminating event.
Two-week residency
A two-week residency is like the one-month residency, but usually has just 1 or 2 core classes and may not work for the Kindergarten, 1st & 2nd grades, depending on the size of the school.
One-week residency
Taught by one Fushicho Daiko one member, our one-week residency is a demonstration of taiko for 2 or 3 grade levels without student participation in the final event. You can focus more on the cultural aspects of Japan with taiko as just one of them. This gives a school 20 class periods with an artist. A Fushicho Daiko performance is recommended for each residency as an introduction, or as part of the culminating event.
One-day to one-week residency
This is a residency with the entire group. With four artists teaching various aspects of the arts of Japan, we can reach the entire school.