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Workshops & Classes

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FOR ADULTS:

Adult Community Workshop
Thursday, April 1; 7-9:30pm $40
No experience necessary!

Adult Beginning Class
Mondays, April 12-June 7; 6-7:30 $130
Prerequisite: Adult Community Workshop

Skills and Drills
Sundays, April 11-June 6; 5:30-7:30 $110
*No class May 30
Prerequisite: Beginning Class, Instructor Permission

YOUTH & TEENS ages 9-16:
No experience necessary!

Youth Workshop with Tanuki Taiko
Wednesday, March 31; 6:30-8:00pm $20

Youth Class
Wednesdays, April 7-June 9; 5:30-6:45pm $120

FOR KIDS:
No experience necessary!

Parent/Child Workshop
Sunday, March 28; 4-5pm $40
For one adult and child 2 1/2 to 4 yrs old

Kids Class for ages 4-5
Saturdays, April 17-May 22;10-10:50am $65

Kids Class for ages 6-8
Saturdays, April 10-May 22; 11-11:50am $75

Youth Camp 2010 for ages 8-16
August 9-13+15; Mon-Fri 9:30-3:30 + picnic on Sunday $225
No experience necessary!

Classes and Workshops fill up quickly, so please make sure to register early! All classes require a registration form. Spaces will be reserved once payment and the registration form have been received at the Portland Taiko office.

Portland Taiko offers the following workshops and classes to adults and kids who want to explore the art and cultural context of taiko:

Adult Community Workshops include an introduction to the art and history of taiko and an opportunity to experience first-hand the energy and power of the drums through playing.

Introduction to Japanese Folk Dance: Soran Bushi originates from Japan's northernmost island, Hokkaido. It is a fisherman's dance, evoking the process of catching herring - setting the boat out to sea, casting and retrieving the nets, folding sails, and loading the catch. This powerful dance uses one's entire body to express this hard work. Please be prepared to sweat in this very energetic, team-building workshop. This workshop is open to anyone interested--no dance or taiko experience necessary!

Introduction to Odaiko In ancient Japan, the sound of the large drum (odaiko) was used to bring people together and mark the boundaries of a village. Come and get introduced to the kata for playing these powerful, captivating drums. Open to all current and former Portland Taiko students.

Learn to Build a Taiko teaches the basics behind North American taiko building including building practice drums and barrel style taiko. The workshop includes a demonstration and hands on experience. For an additional material charge, a limited number of people can sign up to take home a practice drum! This workshop is open to anyone interested.

Adult Beginning Taiko Classes introduce taiko students to the basics of playing. Emphasis is on good posture, addressing the drum, hitting through the drum and other form-perfecting skills. Adult Class participants are encouraged to have taken at least one Portland Taiko workshop.

Iro Iro is a class we sometimes run in between regular class sessions so that you don't need a brush up when your regular class starts again. Open to both beginning and intermediate students, this is a great place to learn & practice new drills and old ones too, like Renshu.

Skills & Drills refines your skill and reinforce form. Refinement techniques include sticking and movement drills, call & response, peer critiquing and learning Portland Taiko repertoire. Students are recommended by their Beginning Class instructor and approved by the Skills & Drills instructor.

Koshi and the Powerful Taiko Player exercises your "koshi," the invisible tire that rides on your hips and acts as a stabilizing foundation for all of our taiko and dance movement. Come learn to lower your center of gravity and embrace the posture of Japanese folk dance.

Parent-Child Workshops are a one-time, hour-long introductory workshop for kids and their parents to get a taste of taiko. Activities include stretching, drum rolls, repeating basic rhythms and games to encourage cooperation and focused energy.

Youth Workshop is an introductory workshop designed for older kids who are interested in trying taiko.

Kids Taiko Class is a 50-minute class open to children 4 to 7-years-old. The class further explores the basics of taiko playing, including stance, simple rhythms and playing with partners, as well as the cultural aspects of the artform and learning Japanese phrases & numbers.

Youth Taiko Class is designed for older kids who are ready to learn songs. Youth who are interested in becoming a member of Tanuki Taiko should take this class where they will learn to express their inner & outer taiko player.

Tanuki Taiko is a band of mischievous badgers who practice once a week and perform throughout the Portland Metro area at community and cultural events.

Kids Camp is a week-long summer camp where kids can embrace the principals of taiko. Students learn respect, cooperation and perseverance through games, rhythms and activities.

Youth Camp is a week-long summer camp where youth can immerse themselves in practicing taiko. At the end of the week, participants will perform at a picnic demonstration at Oaks Park.

Register Online or fill out our registration form and mail it with your tuition to our studio at 3230 NE Columbia Blvd., Portland, OR 97211. All classes and workshops have limited spaces available and are held at PT's rehearsal space. Asian Americans are especially encouraged to participate! We recommend wearing loose, comfortable clothing and bringing a water bottle. Limited scholarships are available for all classes and workshops in exchange for volunteer time (please contact office for more information). Email us or call 503.288.2456 if you have any questions.

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