Fall / Winter 2024 Season Recap

As we embark on 2025, we’d like to take a moment to reflect on an unusually busy time at the end of last year. 2024 marked Soh Daiko’s 45th anniversary and brought about both thoughtful reflection and gratitude for those who have made Soh Daiko what it is today. We’d like to highlight some special events that Soh Daiko participated in this Fall/Winter 2024 Season!

N.E.D. Concert:

On September 28th, Soh Daiko performed in the N.E.D. concert. The N.E.D. concert is an annual, benefit fundraiser to raise awareness for gynecological cancers and emphasize the importance of early screening. At this concert, Soh Daiko opened for N.E.D. and joined them in a finale cover of “Radioactive,” by Imagine Dragons. We were also joined by violinist Elizabeth Tsung.

“N.E.D.,” or, “No Evidence of Disease,” is a rock band comprised of five surgeons, from across the country, who treat women’s cancer. In fact, members of this audience included patients in remission, some of whom actually were treated by N.E.D. band members. Soh Daiko deeply appreciates the hard work of oncologists, the fighting spirit of patients undergoing treatment, and the resilience of those in remission. We are grateful to have been a part of this event.

N.E.D. band members on stage: John Boggess M.D. (Lead vocals/Guitar), Bob Burger M.D. (Bass), Gizelka David-West M.D. (Lead vocals), Nimesh P. Nagarsheth M.D. (Drums and Percussion), and Will Winter M.D. (Lead guitar/Vocals).

Violinist: Elizabeth Tsung

Eitetsu:

On October 5th, Soh Daiko traveled to Philadelphia to watch and perform with taiko legend, Eitetsu Hiyashi, at Swarthmore college. This performance was part of the College’s Cooper Event Series featuring Sonic Bodies: Taiko Legend EITETSU HAYASHI in concert. Soh Daiko Members performed in Eitetsu’s original piece, Sen no Kaikyo (One-Thousand Echoes of the Sea) along with Eitetsu, his elite ensemble Fu-Un no Kai, and other members of the taiko community.

Eitetsu Hayashi is a pioneering figure in Japanese Taiko drumming, celebrated for his mastery, physicality, and innovative techniques. As a founding member of the internationally renowned groups Ondekoza and Kodo, Hayashi played a key role in composing, arranging, and performing their repertoires, helping bring Taiko to global prominence. He became the first solo Taiko artist in 1982 and made history as Carnegie Hall’s first Japanese drum soloist in 1984. With a career spanning over five decades, Hayashi has performed in over 40 countries, collaborated with leading global artists, and contributed to the cultural exchange of Taiko through major events and international tours. In addition to his performing career, he has written books and taught at prestigious institutions, receiving numerous awards for his contributions to the arts, including the Order of the Rising Sun in 2022. Hayashi’s work continues to shape and expand the global appreciation of Taiko music.

It was truly inspiring to witness and perform with Eitetsu Hayashi and Fu-Un no Kai. We are especially grateful to Joe Small and Swarthmore College for hosting this incredible event and inviting us to be a part of it!

NYC Marathon:

On November 3rd, Soh Daiko members Jane, Keiko, HanBin, Derek, and Devin joined fellow taiko group New York Taiko Aiko Kai, along with other taiko performers, in supporting the runners of the NYC Marathon. In addition, Soh Daiko’s very own Jodi Scharf completed her first NYC Marathon that day!

The NYC Marathon is one of the largest marathons in the world, stretching across all five boroughs. With over 50,000 participants, it is part of the World Marathon Majors series. Each year, nearly two million spectators line the course, cheering on runners every step of the 26.2-mile journey. Taiko performers were stationed at Mile 21 in the Bronx, a notorious “wall” for runners. Taiko’s powerful rhythms offer energy and encouragement to help runners push through their toughest moments.

Soh Daiko was honored to be part of such a significant event and to witness firsthand how taiko can inspire and motivate. A special thanks to Sophia from New York Taiko Aiko Kai for organizing the NYC taiko groups! Congratulations once again to Jodi on completing her first marathon!

Japan Performing Arts:

On Saturday, December 7, Soh Daiko performed at the Japan Performing Arts, Inc. (JPA) event “Discovery within Traditions: Kimono, Dance, and Music”. During this event, Soh Daiko performed signature pieces Yuudachi and Hachidan.

Japan Performing Arts, inc. is a non-profit organization that aims to provide educational experiences that present Japanese culture and values, such as patience, harmony, and discipline, through Japanese performing arts. The show additionally featured different genres of Japanese culture including Nihon Buyo dance, Kimono clothing culture, Tea Ceremony, and Awa Odori dance.

Soh Daiko was grateful to be invited to perform and share our love of taiko and Japanese culture with the community!

Columbia University Taiko Festival 2024 – Recap

November 26, 2024 • Performance Recap

Soh Daiko members perform Hachidan.
*(Left-to-Right: Jane Conrad, Jodi Scharf, Victoria Nishikawa, Anna Croteau)*

On Sunday, November 10th, Soh Daiko was thrilled to take part in the 10th Annual Columbia University Taiko Festival. We were deeply inspired by the incredible talent and energy of all the taiko players who came together for this special event! Soh Daiko performed Tsunagu by KODO and was joined on stage by former member Mac Evans for our signature piece Hachidan. Additionally, members Jodi Scharf and Miyuki Takahashi participated in a multi-group performance of Omiyage, alongside other members of the East Coast taiko community, completing an unforgettable program.

Soh Daiko members Jodi Scharf and Miyuki Takahashi.

The event featured an impressive lineup of renowned taiko players and groups. Notable mentions include our dear friend Shoji Kameda, composer of Omiyage and founder of kaDON, an online taiko school. We were also joined by Casual Fifth (led by former Soh Daiko member Mac Evans) and Swarthmore Taiko (led by the East Coast’s only tenured taiko professor, Joe Small), both traveling from Philadelphia. Other collegiate groups included Brown-RISD’s Gendo Taiko, Stony Brook University’s Taiko Tides, and Binghamton University’s Unkai Daiko. Local NYC groups represented by New York Taiko Aiko Kai, OMNY Taiko, and, of course, our hosts, Columbia University Taiko, all added to the vibrant atmosphere. We were also excited to see two high school groups, Ridgewood High School Wadaiko and Pingry Taiko, take the stage—such a promising sign of taiko’s growing presence in schools! As a piece of NYC taiko history, we’d like to share that a founding member of CU Taiko, Akira Baruah, was also a member of Soh Daiko from 2014 to 2016.

For the New York taiko community, it’s a rare and special occasion to have so many groups come together in one place. For the past 10 years, the CU Taiko Festival has served as a vital connection point for both the New York City and greater East Coast taiko communities. Soh Daiko was overjoyed to reunite with old friends and meet so many new taiko players. A huge thank you to everyone at CU Taiko for making this incredible event possible year after year. Congratulations on 10 amazing years, and here’s to many more to come!

Group photo of the performers at CU Taiko Festival 2024.
Thank you, CU Taiko and all who participated!

Public Workshop 2024 Recap

November 18, 2024 • News Recap Workshop Workshop

This past Saturday, November 9th, Soh Daiko hosted a public taiko workshop! Workshop participants were taught the basics of a taiko hit, introduced to the Soh Daiko patterns for Matsuri, and educated on the history of Soh Daiko and taiko in the United States. We capped off the workshop with a taiko jam, where participants played together with Soh Daiko members and let loose with their new taiko skills!

Thank you to the participants who came to our workshop; we were impressed by your efforts! As taiko players ourselves, we know how challenging it can be, both physically and mentally, and we are thankful to everyone for staying engaged and focused over four strenuous hours. This year, participants came from all experience levels, from those who had years of experience to those who were completely new to taiko. We also were happy to see participation from a variety of age groups, a true representation of community.

During the workshop, we loved seeing everyone open up and flourish the more we drummed. And, thanks to the participants’ hard work, we were able to advance more than anticipated! We hope that everyone returned home feeling empowered and inspired by a fresh joy for taiko. On Soh Daiko’s end, we were inspired throughout the workshop by the participants and were reminded of what motivates us to continue playing.

Taiko is more than just a musical artform, it is also about giving to and receiving from the greater community. A wonderful part of taiko is spreading the simple joy of drumming together. We always love sharing the history of taiko and our love for the art with community members, and so we are thankful to the workshop participants for being interested and spending time with us. We hope to see you at future taiko events!