Article in "The Advocate," 18/12/04 To the beat of a different drum By Kellie White A TAIKO drumming. workshop on the Coast. ha's prompted the likelihood of a regular local drumming outfit being formed. Hobart sensei (Japanese teacher) Simon Vanyai said interest in the Japanese drumming workshop last Wednesday was well beyond expectations. Mr Vanyai said its popularity had led to another workshop being scheduled for early in the new year and the formation of a North-West Taiko drumming group. "Forus it was so good to see so many come out to try Taiko," Mr Vanyai said. "It was a very quick workshop - two hours, is just not a lot of time to teach Taiko. "It's so different in the way you use the body to get rhythms." Mr Vanyai said the Hobart group had attracted quite a few requests for return for performances. He said along with performing at an Ulverstone Rotary Club event the group p was also invited to perform at the Emu Valley Rhododendron Garden in the Japanese section. "If we're able to come up for a performance, then, it's good to combine it with workshops," he said. "If a group starts working together on a regular basis then I'll look at coming up once a month for extra training." The interest in Taiko extended into the schools fast week, where the group performed along the North-West and West Coast. "At the school there was a question time and one of the questions asked was how do we join Taiko?" he said. "If a teacher encourages students then many will continue with it into the future." The Taiko group will return for school events next year, with interested schools welcome to contact the group. MASTER STROKE.. Hobart Taiko drumming teacher Simon Vanyai instructs a group of Marist Regional College students in the art at a workshop last week. |