History of

Taiko Center of Los Angeles

The Taiko Center of Los Angeles (aka: TCLA) was founded by Reverend Shuichi Thomas Kurai in 1996.

TCLA started with just a handful of participants and now has over 100 active participants. Two performing ensembles were established:  "Satori Daiko" (Drums of Enlightenment) In 1999 and "Shinzen Daiko" (Compassionate Heart) in 2004.  These two ensembles perform thoughout Southern California, the U.S. and in Japan. as well.

Currently Taiko Center of Los Angeles offers taiko classes taught by Rev. Kurai and his staff.  Lessons are conducted throughout the year. Fundamentals of taiko drumming, such as stance (kata) and developing energy (ki) to learning fundamental taiko skills are learned in the beginning classes. Higher level taiko skills are learned in the intermediate classes.

In June of 2003, Satori Daiko released a cd, entitled, "Kyokusen", Flowing Path.

The recording is an ecclectic mix of taiko music with Japanese traditional instruments such as the koto Japanese zither, shamisen (Japanese lute) and yokobue (Japanese flute) with touches of world music - Brazilian Samba, Indonesian Gamelan and even jazz tap dance. 

TCLA collaborates regularly with koto artist Yukiko Matsuyama (www.kotoyuki.com) and Tsugaru shamisen artist, Mike Penny of Monsters of Shamisen and Fishtank Ensemble, former Kodo members, taiko soloist Shuichi Hidano and Hiroyuki Hayashida and his taikog ensemble from Japan, Zipang.

Collaborations in the past have been with Lillian Nakano and the Sanmi Shamisen Ensemble, saxophonist, Japanese classical percussion group - Katada Kai, Japanese Traditional Performing Arts Organization, jass saxophonist Francis Wong, pianist Glen Horiuchi, tap dance artists Fred Strikler, Denise Donovan and Miki Amen, Vivir Brazil, ELA Taiko, Quetzal, UCR Gamelan Ensemble, UCR Wind Ensemble, Gluck Tap Dance Ensemble, Riverside Community College Dance Dept, Rei Aoo Dance Planet and East Wind Chinese Lion Dancers, Riverside City College Tap Ensemble, Village Arts Dance Studio, Monsters of Shamisen, Japanese folk Minyo singer Matsutoyo Sato, Japanese contemporary music band Kotoyuki, Japanese folk Minyo singer Marisa Kosugi, Japanese folk music fusion band Minyo Station and percussionist Ray McNamara.

Concert Performance History

Oct. 13, 2000
University Theater
University of California, Riverside, CA
For images, go to UCR-1 Concert..

Mar. 2, 2001
Garrison Theatre
Pomona College, Claremont, CA
For images, go to Pomona College Concert.

Mar. 23, 2002
Performing Arts Center
California State University, Northridge, CA
For images, go to CSUN Concert.

May. 18, 2002
Sherman Indian High School
University of California, Riverside, CA

Oct. 19, 2002
Schurr High School, Montebello, CA
Schurr High School Music Boosters Benefit

Nov. 16, 2003
North Kingman High School, Kingman, AZ
White Wind Tiger Foundation & Kingman Lion's Club

June 7, 2003
University Theatre
University of California, Riverside, CA

June 28, 2003
Taiko Center fo Los Angeles Concert

Aratani /Japan America Theatre, Los Angeles, CA
Japanese American Cultural and Community Center

July 26, 2003
John Anson Ford Amphitheatre, Hollywood, CA

August, 17, 2003

Satori Daiko w/ Local Hokkaido Taiko Groups

Japan-U.S. Joint Concert

Tsubetsu City, Hokkaido, Japan

April 17, 2004

Satori Daino and Senryu Taiko

University Theatre

University of California, Riverside, CA

August 18, 2004

Satori Daiko Concert w/ Rei Aoo's Dance Planet

John Anson Ford Amphitheatre, Hollywood, CA

March 12, 2005

Satori Daiko and Shinzen Daiko Concert

Schurr High School, Montebello, CA

Schurr High School Music Boosters Benefit

April 16, 2005

TCLA and Senryu Taiko Concert

University Theatre

University of California, Riverside, CA

July 27, 2005

Satori Daiko and Shinzen Daiko Concert

City of Buena Park Summer Concert Series

Boisseranc Park, Buena Park, CA

June 3, 2006

Satori Daiko and Shinzen Daiko Concert

Schurr High School, Montebello CA
Japan Tour 2006 Fund-Raising Concert

June 28, 2006

Satori Daiko and Shinzen Daiko Concert

City of Buena Park Summer Concert Series

Boiseranc Park, Buena Park

July 29, 2006

Satori Daiko at Shima Taiko Concert

Ise-Shima Spain Mura Theme Park

Mie Prefecture, Japan

August 16, 2007

Satori Daiko and Shinzen Daiko Concert

Banning Arts Council Summer Concert Series

Banning, CA

October 13, 2007

Satori Daiko Concert

Kingman High School, Kingman, AZ

February 16, 2008

Hidano Super Taiko Concert

featuring Taiko Center of Los Angeles

Aratani/Japan America Theatre

Little Tokyo, Los Angeles

March 1, 2008

TCLA Concert

Mt. San Jacinto College

Hemet, CA

November 15, 2008

Taiko Center Ensemble Concert

Grand Annex

San Pedro, CA

January 24, 2009

Shuichi Hidano Concert

Taiko Center Ensemble

Grand Annex

San Pedro, CA

March 7, 2009

Satori Daiko and Shinzen Daiko Concert

Mt San Jacinto College

Hemet, CA

April 4, 2009

Satori Daiko and Shinzen Daiko Concert

A. B. Miller High School

Fontana, CA

May 9, 2009

Satori Daiko and Shinzen Daiko Concert

Schurr High School

Montebello, CA

June 27, 2009

Satori Daiko & TCLA Ensemble Concert

Remo Music Recreational Center

North Hollywood, CA

July 11, 2009

TCLA Concert

Skirball Museum

Los Angeles, CA

July 31, 2009

Shinzen Daiko and Satori Daiko Concert

City of Anaheim Summer Family Concert

Pierson Park, Anaheim, CA