Details at a Glance
- Date: Sunday Nov 16th 2025
- Location: Columbia Taiko Festival, Columbia University, New York City
Omiyage Deep Dive
- Content: 5 hour workshop intensive
- Time: 9:00am – 2:30pm (5 hr instruction with 30 minute break)
- Registration Fee: $125 general / $105 kaDON member / $75 collegiate or recent grad
Neiro: Color of Sound
- Content: 3 hour workshop exploration
- Time: 5:00pm – 8:00pm
- Registration Fee: $75 general / $65 kaDON member / $45 collegiate or recent grad
Combined registration: $180 general / $150 kaDON member / $100 collegiate or recent grad
Omiyage Deep Dive
5 hour workshop intensive
Sunday Nov 16th : 9:00am – 2:30pm
Experience level: Intermediate / Advanced
Go beyond the notes and discover the essence of one of the taiko world’s most beloved pieces.
In this intensive workshop, Shoji Kameda, the composer of Omiyage, guides players through an in-depth exploration of the composition’s core mechanics and artistry. While many groups perform Omiyage, this is a rare opportunity to refine your understanding of the details and technique that elevate a performance from proficient to powerful.
This session is a true deep dive, moving past the basic sequence to focus on the nuanced techniques that give Omiyage its distinctive character. We will break down the piece through a series of targeted exercises and drills, including:
- Movement from the Core: Practicing how to initiate strikes from the hara (center) to generate a good sound and the flowing movements of the piece.
- Intonation: Drills for understanding the different intonations of Dons that help direct the energy from the core and connect the phrasing of Omiyage.
- Rhythmic Precision: Internalizing the kuchishoga patterns with attention to intonation, dynamics and how the movements fit together with the ji patterns to solidify timing and ensemble playing.
- Phrasing: Techniques for mastering the piece’s musical ebbs and flows, moving beyond simply playing the patterns to more expressive phrasing.
Whether you are preparing to perform or teach Omiyage, this intensive will provide you with the foundational tools and advanced insights to unlock new levels of technique, nuance and tone. You will leave with a renewed confidence in your technique, a deeper understanding and connection to the piece and a clear roadmap for teaching Omiyage and further spreading this beloved composition throughout the taiko taiko community.
To get the most from this deep dive, participants should have a basic familiarity with Omiyage, whether from previous performance experience or by learning the piece through the Omiyage course available on kaDON.
What to bring
- Omiyage Bachi
- A way to take notes
- Experience learning or performing Omiyage
- An open mind to try new techniques and ways of learning
Neiro : the Color of Sound
3 hour workshop exploration
Sunday Nov 16th : 5:00pm – 8:00pm
Experience Level: all
Taiko is more than just dons and kas; discover the drum’s full sonic potential in this hands-on workshop with Grammy-nominated artist Shoji Kameda.
Designed for players of all levels, the first half of this intensive will focus on using your whole body to get one good sound out of the drum. Participants will learn how to play in a relaxed way that maximizes efficiency and unlocks your body’s full potential.
The second half of this session explores innovative techniques to create textures, tones, and rhythms beyond traditional strikes. Learn to listen to subtlety, manipulate stick angles and resonance and find an entire world of different tones on the taiko. Shoji will guide participants in blending these sounds into compositions and improvisations, emphasizing creativity, intentionality, and the art of listening. Whether you’re seeking fresh inspiration or new tools for expression, this workshop will expand your taiko “sound library” and redefine what’s possible on the drum.
What to bring
- Lion Chant Tapered Maple Bachi or other type of versatile bachi
- A way to take notes
- An open mind to explore new possibilites
About Your Instructor
Shoji Kameda is a Grammy-nominated musician, composer, and producer. A lifelong taiko artist (starting at age 8), he has performed with icons like Stevie Wonder, composed award winning soundtracks, and was a founding member of the primary creative force of the genre-blurring group On Ensemble. In 2014 he cofounded kaDON, a dynamic taiko initiative empowering taiko players worldwide through workshops, original repertoire, high-quality instruments, and accessible online resources. Shoji’s work bridges tradition and innovation making him a defining voice in the contemporary taiko world.