Taiko drumming at Cub Lake – July 11

The Bear Valley Cultural Arts Association is pleased to present taiko drumming at Cub Lake on July 11, 2015 from 3-4 p.m. with discussion to follow.

Bring your chairs and refreshments for a gala afternoon.

We will feature Kristofer Bergstrom and Jason Osajima from the Los Angeles Taiko Institute performing their newest works. They will also review taiko drumming as an art form and enlighten us about the art and challenge of practice.

Kristofer Bergstrom performs and teaches taiko professionally in Los Angeles.  After four years studying taiko at Stanford University, Bergstrom spent three years in Japan training in classical Japanese dance, Kabuki shamisen, and ensemble taiko. He spent fourteen years touring with contemporary quartet On Ensemble.  His recent compositions "Eau de Squarepusher" and "Radiddlepa", reflect a fascination with the extended tonal range of taiko instruments.  Bergstrom's multi-year exploration of contemporary choreography resulted in "Jack Bazaar", with an original interpretation of the full-body movements of the naname (slant) taiko style.  Head Teacher at the Los Angeles Taiko Institute, Bergstrom balances his time between teaching, pedagogy research, practice, and work as a solo artist.

Jason Osajima began his taiko career in UCLA's Kyodo Taiko as a dynamic and expressive performer.  Post-graduation, he studied and toured with Los Angeles-based groups, TaikoProject and Progressive Taiko.  Osajima teaches a wide range of taiko topics at Los Angeles Taiko Institute, including an extensive line of youth courses.  He is currently preparing for a tour in Japan with Asano Taiko US group, UnitOne, including a performance at the Extasia taiko festival and participation in the 2015 odaiko competition at Mt Fuji

Please join us for this program. Gate passes may be obtained by calling Jan at (661) 821-1533.

Although the concert is presented free of charge, donations to the performers will be gladly accepted.