Heartbeat of Japan

Music • World Music

South Australia

After being shortlisted for Best Music Award in the 2011 Adelaide Fringe Festival, South Australia's Japanese-style Drumming Group Matsuri Taiko make their long-anticipated return with a brand new show. 'Heartbeat from Japan' pays homage to Sensei Masaaki Kurumaya and the Wadaiko style he pioneered and still performs today in the Fukui Prefecture.

'Matsuri Taiko', or 'Festival Drumming', is an appropriate name for this dynamic group from Adelaide; the heart of the festival state, South Australia. The group excite audiences with highly energetic performances that are musically and visually entertaining.
"The troupe sways effortlessly between peaceful pattering and crashing crescendos, demonstrating each individual's precise skills and grand respect for this ancient art" George Inglis, 5AA.

Presented by: Matsuri Taiko

Japanese drumming group Matsuri Taiko formed in 2003 at The University of Adelaide, South Australia. Katie Daly began teaching this group after gaining experience at Flinders Street School of Music.
The original group consisted of percussionists from The University of Adelaide's Elder Conservatorium of Music, and today consists of founding members Katie Daly and Nicole Weepers, along with students of the Matsuri Taiko School. Nicole and Katie travelled to Japan in 2007 and 2008 to study with renowned Taiko Master Masaaki Kurumaya. Nicole has returned to Japan each year since 2016 as an instructor for the Fukui International Taiko Course.
As well as a highly accomplished performance group, Matsuri Taiko offer workshops, come and try sessions and ongoing classes at their Goodwood studio.