SBBI’s Rome Hamner offers distance-learning and in-school residency programs independently and through Young Audiences of Northern California. A seasoned taiko performer, teacher, and certified Orff instructor, Rome has spent 20+ years engaging students in the joy of learning taiko. Along with taiko basics, Japanese language, and studio habits of mind, her programs help young people build self-control, self-esteem and other SEL competencies. She’s taught thousands of K-12 students, including kids with intellectual, emotional, and physical disabilities, and underserved students and youth in rural and urban communities. She lived, studied, and worked in Japan, served for 6 years on the Board of Directors for the Taiko Community Alliance, currently works as General Manager for San Jose Taiko, and performs with Taiko SOBA, Jun Daiko, and Queer Taiko.
It’s Taiko Time!
Grade levels: TK-2
Description: It’s Taiko Time! introduces young students to taiko drumming basics including kata (form), kuchishoka (the oral system used to teach taiko), and playing with a jiuchi (back beat). Students build rhythm, music, and cultural knowledge while also developing social emotional learning competencies. Live classes held over Zoom and assignments shared through Google classroom come together in a holistic program that’s rewarding, distance-learning friendly, and FUN! No drums required, click here for more info.
Length: 30 minutes per session, 5-9 sessions, (1 or 2 sessions per week)
Click here for more detailed overview
It's Taiko Time! consists of 5 live classes held over Zoom and 4 self-directed activities that classroom teachers can support students in completing. Schools can book the full program or customize it by choosing from the list of sessions below.
Session 1, Zoom class: Taiko syllables, music and story
Session 2, Activity: Drag & Drop to make a 4-beat taiko pattern
Session 3, Zoom class: Playing taiko loud and soft
Session 4, Activity: Drag & Drop to make a 4-beat taiko pattern that includes rests
Session 5, Zoom class: High pitch vs. low and playing taiko fast or slow
Session 6, Activity: Interactive slide deck
Session 7, Zoom class: Feeling and following the beat
Session 8, Activity: Codebreaker
Session 9, Zoom class: Putting it all together
Taiko Discovery
Grade levels: 3-5
Description: A comprehensive introduction to taiko drumming, covering the basics of kata (form), kuchishoka (the oral system used to teach taiko), playing with a jiuchi (back beat), and how improvisation integrates with modern taiko. Students will also learn about instruments that make up a taiko ensemble, the history of the art form in the US, and other cultural and historic information that builds awareness of Asian-American history and culture and social emotional competencies. Live classes held over Zoom and assignments shared through Google classroom come together in a holistic program that’s rewarding, distance-learning friendly, and FUN! No drums required, click here for more info.
Length: 30 minutes per session, 8-15 sessions (1 or 2 sessions per week)
Click here for a more detailed overview
The full Taiko Discovery residency includes 8 live classes held over Zoom and 7 self-directed activities. Schools can book the full program or customize it by choosing from the sessions below.
Session 1, Zoom Class: Intro to kuchishoka and pulse
Session 2, Activity: Taiko History video and escape room
Session 3, Zoom Class: Building patterns with kuchishoka
Session 4, Activity: Drag & Drop & Mix it Up
Session 5, Zoom Class: Intro to kata
Session 6, Activity: Types of taiko groups in the US (includes short writing assignment)
Session 7, Zoom Class: Intro to jiuchi and creative expression in taiko
Session 8, Activity: Drag & Drop to make a 64-beat song
Session 9, Zoom Class: Learn a song, Part 1
Session 10, Activity: Taiko Instrumentation and escape room
Session 11, Zoom Class: Learn a song, Part 2
Session 12, Activity: TaikoTube (includes short writing assignment)
Session 13, Zoom Class: Learn a song, Part 3: soloing and improvisation
Session 14, Activity: Prepare and practice a solo
Session 15, Zoom Class: Perform a song and demo your solo
Taiko Residency: Integrated Taiko
Grade levels: K-12
Description: A 4-10 week program integrating taiko instruction with curricular standards selected by a classroom teacher. Lessons will be developed in collaboration between Rome and the classroom teacher and delivered through Zoom, Google classroom, or other platforms chosen by the classroom teacher.
Length: 50 minutes per session; 4-10 sessions (1 or 2 sessions per week)