Chris Lichti's Taiko Resume
In the summer of 2005, I went to the Nisei Week Japanese cultural festival in
Little Tokyo, Los Angeles. We saw the Taiko Gathering; 16 Taiko groups,
each playing 20-minute sets. I was blown away! The percussion
ensemble, the choreography, the visceral rhythm cascading over my body, and the
driving energy all captivated me. I decided right then and there that I
would find a taiko group and I would learn this powerful, dynamic art. I
found Togen Daiko, a Buddhist Taiko group based out of Oxnard Buddhist Temple.
They took me in, and responded to my enthusiasm by teaching me quickly, so that the
following year, I performed on stage at the very same festival!
I'm not a great Taiko artist by any stretch, but I can keep a beat, I can move
my body, and most of all I love Taiko and the Taiko community. Here's a
breakdown of my humble experience so far:
|
September, 2005 |
Togen Daiko Beginners' Class |
|
January, 2006 |
Joined Togen Daiko as a regular member |
|
March, 2006 |
Togen Daiko Intermediate Class |
|
April, 2006 - present |
Performed Taiko on stage at dozens of events |
|
December, 2007 |
Elected President of Togen Daiko |
Past Performances
Here are some of the events I've performed, all with Togen Daiko:
Oxnard Buddhist Temple Obon Festival
Guadalupe Buddhist Temple Obon Festival
San Luis Obispo Buddhist Temple Obon Festival
Vista Buddhist Temple Obon Festival
Bonsai Festival at the Santa Barbara Botanical Gardens
Cherry Blossom Festival at the Reagan Presidential Library
Tanabata Festival at the Green Jade Oriental Art Studio
Taiko Gathering - Nisei Week at the JACCC Plaza
Ventura YMCA Musical Tour of the World
Saint Columba's Fund Raising Concert (a full hour)
Shotokan Tournament
Charity fund-raisers and private events all over the Greater Los Angeles area
Reference
Bruce Arikawa, Artistic Director, Togen Daiko
http://www.togendaiko.org/