Chris Lichti's Taiko Resume

In the summer of 2005, I went to the Nisei Week Japanese cultural festival in Little Tokyo, Los Angeles. We saw the Taiko Gathering; 16 Taiko groups, each playing 20-minute sets. I was blown away! The percussion ensemble, the choreography, the shock waves washing over us, and the driving energy were captivating! I was determined to join the fun.

After some searching, I found Togen Daiko, a Buddhist Taiko group based out of Oxnard Buddhist Temple. They took me in, and responded to my enthusiasm by teaching me quickly, so that the following year, I performed on stage at the very same festival!

I'm not a great Taiko artist by any stretch, but I can keep a beat, dance, and most of all I love Taiko and the Taiko community. Here's a breakdown of my humble experience so far:

In the fall of 2010, I had the great honor of joining Kodo Arts Sphere America (KASA) Mix 2010 as a student, studying Taiko at the Kodo Apprentice Center on Sado Island, Japan.

I am forever grateful to the organizers, staff, instructors, apprentices, and fellow students for making this an extraordinary, life-changing experience. We learned, played, sang, and danced the whole way. It was a blast!

Past Performances

Here are some of the events I've performed:

• Oxnard Buddhist Temple Obon Festival
• Guadalupe Buddhist Temple Obon Festival
• San Luis Obispo Buddhist Temple Obon Festival
• Vista Buddhist Temple Obon Festival
• Bonsai Festival at the Santa Barbara Botanical Gardens
• Cherry Blossom Festival at the Reagan Presidential Library
• Tanabata Festival at the Green Jade Oriental Art Studio
• Taiko Gathering - Nisei Week at the JACCC Plaza
• Ventura YMCA Musical Tour of the World
• Saint Columba's Fund Raising Concert (a full hour)
• Shotokan Tournament
• Jade Buddha Festival
• Charity fund-raisers and private events all over the Greater Los Angeles area

Reference

Bruce Arikawa, Artistic Director, Togen Daiko