Ben has been Taiko drumming since 1998, initially playing freestyle in city parks and cultural events. Ben Lim founded Midnight Taiko in 2006 with Charlie …
MIDNIGHT TAIKO KAI
PERFORMING MEMBERS
- President, Co-Founder
- Managing Director, Performer
A short two decades ago, TL attended a nighttime summer parade in Hachioji while living and teaching English in Tokyo. There, a seed …
- Artistic Director, Performer
Marty was first exposed to Taiko in 2010, during her studies in Ethnomusicology while completing a Bachelor of Music in Jazz Studies degree …
- Performer
John got his passion for Taiko in 2008 while he was working in Japan on the JET Programme. He had the opportunity to …
- Performer
Anny studied Javanese Gamelan and traveled to Africa to immerse herself in Ghana drum culture with SFU music faculty member Albert St. Albert …
- Workshop Coordinator, Performer
Mom, teacher, public speaker…and now Taiko drummer, Holly wears many hats. Through it all, music has been central to her being. She has …
- Performer
Music is deep within the soul. It’s in every heartbeat and everything we do. Tahra first heard Taiko at an outdoor festival and …
- Vice President, Performer
While living in Japan, Jessie first experienced Taiko at a cultural festival in rural Shizuoka Prefecture, where she was moved by the power …
- Performer
Prior to joining Midnight Taiko Kai, Jigme was searching for a percussion instruments to learn in Calgary. When he first heard Midnight play …
- Secretary, Performer
Gillian joined Midnight Taiko after seeing the group perform at a community festival in Calgary. She was influenced by the power of the …
- Performer
Joe’s first live Taiko experience was watching Yamato perform in Calgary and he fell in love with the art. When his wife Lorie …
- Treasurer, Performer
Lorie first learned about taiko in Montreal, from her kendo friend who was practicing both at the time. His taiko kai, Arashi Daiko, …
APPRENTICES
FORMER MEMBERS
- Co-Founder
With a music and dance background, Charlie has been playing Taiko since 2001, after she was blown away by a performance by Kita-no-Taiko. …
- Co-Founder
Jenny has a background in traditional Chinese dance, choir and classical piano and first experienced Taiko drumming when a friend brought her to a Taiko …
Rico was first exposed to Taiko while living in Borneo as a child in 1993, when a Japanese Drumming Troupe visited the region as …
Nori has played the kit drum, African drum and percussion in many different groups in Japan. He started to play Wadaiko with “New …
Peggy first heard Taiko at Otafest in 2006, and when she returned in 2007 she made sure that she was able to watch …
Yoshiko has always been proud to be half Japanese and Taiko has become a great link to her heritage. She became interested in Taiko …
- Performer
Karen was first exposed to drumming in one of her courses in World Music in University. She was able to try Japanese Taiko …
Brenda was a full member of the group from 2016 to 2020.
- Performer
Trained as a classical flutist, Lisa has been a member of the Calgary music scene for many years. Exposed to Taiko through a …
- Performer
Nancy began her taiko journey in Lethbridge with LCTA. After relocating to Calgary in 2017, Nancy began taking workshops with Midnight Taiko and is now …
Nikol is the drummer for Ancient Highways and joined Midnight Taiko as an apprentice in late 2016. Her full biography is coming soon. …
Paula’s musical background and experience lies primarily in the classical world. Trained in piano and oboe for over 20 years, Paula also performs …