Located in downtown LA's historic Little Tokyo district, the TAIKOPROJECT Academy offers taiko drumming classes for students of all ages.

The TAIKOPROJECT Academy is Los Angeles’ premiere taiko school, established in 2002 by Bryan Yamami and Masato Baba to perpetuate the art form of taiko in America. The Academy offers classes in taiko drumming to the general public for all ages and all skill levels.  

Since its inception, hundreds of children and adults have studied taiko at the Academy under the tutelage of highly-trained instructors from the TAIKOPROJECT.  The Academy is currently led by Director Courtney Deguchi.

EMAIL

tpacademy.courtney@gmail.com

Location

505 E. 3rd St.
Los Angeles, CA 90013

Hours

Sun 3pm – 9pm
Mon 6pm - 10pm
Thur 7pm - 10pm

Adult Classes

ADULT BEGINNING CLASS

Registration is now open to the general public for new students interested in beginning classes.  Capacity is limited as the class will have a maximum of 7 students.  Classes will run for 10 weeks. Visit the ENROLL page to start the registration process, or email TAIKOPROJECT Academy Director Courtney Deguchi at tpacademy.courtney@gmail.com for more information.

Adult Beginning Classes are for adults entering our taiko program.  Basic form, technique, rhythm, philosophy, and spirit are the primary elements of these introductory classes.  Adults 14 years and older are encouraged to start their taiko journeys in this class.  High school-age students who are starting taiko for the first time are welcome to start in this class or in our youth program, depending on their preference.  Continuing students wishing to participate in a refresher course are welcome to repeat beginning classes as desired.

Adult Beginning 1 Classes take place on Sundays from 4:30 pm - 5:45 pm.
*Entrance into Beginning 2 Class is determined upon consistent commitment to classes and at the discretion of TAIKOPROJECT Academy Instructors

Winter 2025 Session: Jan. 19 - Mar. 23, 2025, Sundays 4:30-5:45 pm. Tuition fees are $175 for the 10-class session

*Drop-in option available: $25 per class.

DEADLINE for registration is January 12 or until capacity is reached.

Interested in joining any of our future classes?  Complete the enrollment form to be added to our mailing list for updates

Adult INTERMEDIATE Classes

Current registration is open only to recurring students.

Adult Intermediate Classes are for adults who are starting to learn more complex techniques and rhythm patterns in our curriculum. Multiple form and stances, advanced music and arrangements, philosophy, and spirit are the primary elements of these classes. 
Entrance to Adult Intermediate classes is determined at the discretion of class instructors and staff.

Classes take place on Mondays from 6:45 pm - 8:15 pm.
*Entrance into the Intermediate Class is at the discretion of the TAIKOPROJECT Academy Instructors.

Bombu Taiko

Bombu Taiko is the performing ensemble for adults who have successfully completed our Intermediate Classes and are committed to further study and are interested in public performance opportunities.

Classes take place on Mondays from 8:30 pm - 10:00 pm

*Entrance into Bombu Taiko is determined by TAIKOPROJECT Academy instructors.

Youth Classes and Programs

TAIKO FOR TOTS

Taiko for Tots is our parent and me taiko class for students ages 3-6 years old.  Students and their parents/adult learn basics of taiko and musical expression through games and songs. Classes will be taught by Courtney Deguchi.

Next Session: TBD
Class is designed for one student and one adult/parent participant

TANUKI TAIKO

Tanuki Taiko is for graduates of our TAIKO FOR TOTS program.  Students are ages 4-6 years old and continue developing basics through games and songs to develop their listening skills and body awareness.

Next Session: TBD

YOUTH BEGINNING TAIKO CLASSES

Youth Beginning Taiko classes are for children aged 7 - 14).  Basic form, technique, rhythm, philosophy, spirit, and FUN are the primary elements of these introductory classes. Classes will be taught by Courtney Deguchi and Audrey Tu.

WHEN:  Classes take place Sundays from 3:30 - 4:30 pm.

WHO:  Children ages 7-14

HOW MUCH:  Tuition fees are $210 for the 12-class session

WHERE:  Classes are held at Higashi Honganji Buddhist Temple at 505 E. 3rd Street in downtown LA's Little Tokyo

HOW:  Register online at: https://forms.gle/qJR25uLLpChTPyvw8

*Currently the Youth Beginning Class is at capacity and we will not be accepting new students at this time.

YOUTH INTERMEDIATE TAIKO CLASSES

Youth Intermediate Taiko classes are for children aged 10-17.  Expanding on Basic form, technique, rhythm, philosophy, spirit, and introducing exposure to performance are expanded upon in this next stage of classes.  Classes will be taught by Courtney Deguchi and Audrey Tu.  

Kitsune Taiko Performing Ensemble

Kitsune Taiko is the performing ensemble for youth taiko students who have have shown exemplary performance in our Intermediate Classes and are committed to further in-depth study of taiko.   Performing Ensemble members graduate out of KTPE when they graduate from high school and many have gone on to become performers and leaders in the collegiate taiko community all over the U.S.

Next Session: TBD

*Entrance into Kitsune Taiko takes place at the beginning of the annual Fall Session and is determined by Academy instructors

Special Sessions

Summer Intensive

TAIKOPROJECT's Annual Summer Intensive is an annual three-day program for advanced taiko drummers in a variety of workshops. Participants from all over the world have traveled to Los Angeles to train in this program, and all past programs have reached capacity.

Next Summer Intensive: TBD

Group Workshops

TAIKOPROJECT has taught workshops for taiko groups all over the world, and when we are on tour, we try as much as possible to meet local groups and coordinate workshops tailored to their interests and skill level.  Topics for Group Workshops include: (Basic – Introductory Drills, Naname/Slant Drum Technique, Basic Odaiko Form, Intermediate – Hip Hop Taiko, Omiyage, Sling Okedo, Narimono/Hand Percussion, Improvisation, Bachi Twirling and Manipulation, Many Sides Double-Drum Playing, Advanced – Stage Presence, Deeper Improvisation, Advanced Omiyage)

Private Lessons

Members of TAIKOPROJECT can teach private lessons in various topics for students of all levels who are looking to deepen their understanding of certain taiko styles or techniques, as well as the shinobue (bamboo flute).  Rates are developed based on the frequency and duration of lessons.

Staff & Instructors

Bryan Yamami (Executive Director)

Doug Sakamoto (Programs Associate)

Blaine O’Brien (Instructor)

Masato Baba (Artistic Director)

Yumi Saito (Instructor)

Audrey Tu On (Instructor)

Courtney Deguchi (Academy Director)

David Wells (Instructor)

To enroll for taiko classes at the TAIKOPROJECT Academy, start by filling out the form below.

Thank you to all our 2024 Summer Camp participants! We hope you had a fantastic time at our inaugural Summer Camp! We are planning for our next Summer Camp for July 2026. For more information or to join our email list for Summer Camp updates, email Courtney at tpacademy.courtney@gmail.com.

TAIKOPROJECT is excited to offer our very first summer youth taiko camp! In this week-long program, participants will learn the art form of taiko (Japanese drumming), develop fundamentals in taiko basics and learn advanced techniques from our core instructors. Participants will also learn teamwork and make taiko crafts. 

There will be two groups, a beginners group for participants with no taiko experience, focusing mainly on stance, striking, and basic techniques.

The intermediate group is for participants with previous taiko experience, and will focus on musicality, soloing, stage presence, and other advanced techniques  The camp will culminate with a recital performance by all participants.

Dates: Monday, July 8 - Friday, July 12, 2024

Times: 9:00 am - 4:30 pm (pick-up by 5:00 pm)

Location: Centenary United Methodist Church, Little Tokyo

Ages: 7 - 13 years old

Tuition: $325 (early bird by May 1 - $300)

Registration: http://bit.ly/taikosummercamp

Info: taikoproject@gmail.com, www.taikoprojectacademy.com

Instructors: Summer Camp will be taught by instructors Doug Sakamoto, Courtney Deguchi, Masato Baba, and Bryan Yamami

5/21/2024 - There are only FOUR spots left in our Summer Camp!

6/3/2024 - Our Summer Camp has reached capacity! To join our wait list, email us!