We look forward to seeing you!
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Upcoming Performances
Nebraska Wesleyan University
Presidential Inauguration Fri, Oct 4 Kokyo Performance at 2:20pm Inauguration ceremony starts at 10am, and community celebration events from noon-2pm. O'Donnell Auditorium 50th & Huntington Ave. Lincoln, NE Japanese Ambience Sat, Oct 5 - Sun Oct 6 from 9am-5pm Kokyo Performances at 2pm on Sat & 3:30pm on Sun Lauritzen Gardens Omaha's Botanical Center 100 Bancroft St. Omaha, NE Salute to Omaha Sister City - Shizuaka, Japan! Public event - most events free with garden admission. See our calendar and Facebook page for updates and details as we have them.
Looking for a powerful and exhilarating addition to your event? Contact us for details on booking!
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Taiko Classes
Give your loved one something to remember! Contact us to order your gift certificate or to ask questions.
Classes typically consist of 8-10 Lessons for $120-150 ($15/lesson), or 2 payments of $60-75. Class size is limited! Drumming equipment is provided, including taiko drums, bachi (drum sticks), and dai (stands). Bring your own ear plugs & water, and wear comfortable clothing and shoes. |
Kokyo Taiko Drummers
Wadaiko, Japanese style drumming, has been described as dynamic, thunderous, and powerful; the sound can be felt in your soul. Kokyo Taiko, based in Lincoln, brings this exciting art of choreographed drumming to communities throughout Nebraska and surrounding states.
With the sound of the drums resonating in the soul of both performer and listener, Kokyo's members savor this connection to their beloved Japanese culture and feel proud to share this amazing tradition with their audiences.
THANK YOU to all our supporters!
With the sound of the drums resonating in the soul of both performer and listener, Kokyo's members savor this connection to their beloved Japanese culture and feel proud to share this amazing tradition with their audiences.
THANK YOU to all our supporters!
About Us
Having played with a community based wadaiko group in Japan, Kokyo's leader, Maureen Brase-Houchin, wanted to continue this wonderful combination of exercise and music after returning to America. She began by teaching taiko to Japanese exchange students and American students studying Japanese language. Those first few years involved short term practices in order to perform at annual events celebrating Japanese culture.
Maureen (left) with Deb.
Longing for permanence and encouraged by her dedicated taiko students, Maureen formed Kokyo Taiko in 2004. Tim Jensen, one of her first students, and Deb Helzer, who also played in a community taiko group in Japan, helped give depth to Kokyo with their experience. Ironically, the Kokyo members who are from Japan (now Lincoln residents), did not play taiko in Japan. Their introduction to taiko came in Nebraska, from an American (albeit half-Japanese!). The opportunity to learn wadaiko so far away from home has been especially rewarding for those members.