About

Taiko

Drums (“taiko” in Japanese) have been used for communication, in rituals, and as an art form in many cultures for thousands of years. A new style of drumming was creating in the 1950s by Daihachi Oguchi, a jazz musician who envisioned a group of performers playing different kinds of taiko together to act as a drum set. Kumi-daiko, this entertaining drum kit style of playing, was born and now is played by groups around the world.

Austin Taiko

Austin Taiko has been sharing Japanese-style drumming with audiences in Central Texas since 1996. The group was founded by Martha Durham-Boyko and Bob Boyko, both of whom previously performed with Fushicho Daiko in Phoenix, Arizona. In 2019, Mary “Sky” Skiles accepted directorship after performing with the group for 13 years. Austin Taiko performs both traditional Japanese compositions and made-in-Austin pieces for local multicultural festivals and educational functions, as well as community, corporate and private events.

Austin Taiko Logo

Austin is home to the world’s largest urban bat colony. Around 1.5 million Mexican Free-tailed bats, mostly females and pups, live in the Congress Avenue bridge. Locals and visitors alike gather on the bridge, by the shores of the lake, or on the water in a variety of boats and boards, to watch the emergence of the bats on hot summer evenings. The Austin Taiko logo shows our local flying friends transforming and emerging from the traditional hidari mitsudomoe symbol.

Traditional hidari mitsudomoe symbol often adorns the playing surfaces of taiko.

Austin Taiko logo, shown here on Austin clouds at sunset.

Use the contact page if you want to learn more about taiko, would like a 2 hour taiko experience (minimum 3 people), or want learn how to play taiko. If you are interested in hiring Austin Taiko to play for your event, our minimum charge is $425 (up to 1 hour) for community, cultural or educational performances. Contact us to discuss pricing of commercial or out-of-town events, or for longer performances.

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The German Texas Heritage Society supports Austin Taiko by providing affordable practice space.

Merchandise available at TeePublic.