20 Years of Midnight Taiko Kai

7 days ago

3 min read

From Basement Practices to the Heartbeat of Calgary

In October 2026, Midnight Taiko proudly celebrates 20 years of sharing the art of Japanese taiko drumming with Calgary and beyond. What began with a few passionate individuals, borrowed drums, and basement rehearsals has grown into a vibrant community ensemble dedicated to preserving, learning, and promoting taiko through performance, education, and cultural connection.

Before Midnight: The Early Roots

The roots of Midnight Taiko stretch back long before 2006.

The roots of Midnight Taiko began in 1996, when Ben Lim and Lisa Wilson connected through a shared interest in Japanese culture and martial arts. At the time, Ben was involved in Aikido training and Lisa, returning from teaching in Otaru Japan, introduced him to taiko drumming and workshop experiences. The two began practicing together in the basement of Ben’s store, creating an exchange between Aikido discipline and taiko rhythm that shaped their early collaboration.

In those early years, they performed at parks, parties, and community events around Calgary under the name Ushio Taiko. Later, Trace Dypolt joined after returning from Japan, and the group evolved into Todoroki Taiko.

That spirit of cultural exchange, friendship, and grassroots community building became the foundation for what Midnight Taiko would eventually become.

The Todoroki Taiko Years

Before Midnight Taiko, there was Todoroki Taiko.

Formed in Calgary in 2003, Todoroki Taiko was created during a time when many members were reconnecting with Japanese culture and searching for creative community spaces in Calgary. The group received introductory workshops from Kita No Taiko and quickly developed into an active local ensemble.

Todoroki Taiko had grown to nine members. The group embraced a democratic and collaborative structure where all members contributed to the operation and artistic direction of the group. Members brought inspiration and repertoire from their experiences living and studying in Japan, learning and performing pieces such as “Matsuri Daiko,” “Taiko Bayashi,” “Himatsuri,” and “Ishikari.”

The Calgary Japanese Community Association and Kaede Cultural Society supported the group by providing rehearsal space and assistance in acquiring drums. In the early years, members even practiced on rubber tires to build endurance and technique.

The group’s dedication helped establish taiko as a growing cultural art form within Calgary’s Japanese Canadian community.

The Birth of Midnight Taiko

In 2006, Midnight Taiko Kai was formed when Ben Lim, Ruth Ablett, and Jenny Zhao came together from the Todoroki Taiko group, sharing a desire to continue learning, performing, and building community through taiko in a more focused and cohesive ensemble.

What started with just two drums in a basement slowly evolved into a full performance ensemble.

Over the years, Midnight Taiko developed its own identity — energetic, collaborative, community-focused, and deeply passionate about the art of taiko.

Today, Midnight Taiko Kai is a volunteer-run, non-profit taiko ensemble based in Calgary, Alberta. The group performs at festivals, concerts, cultural celebrations, schools, private events, and community gatherings throughout western Canada.

Over the years, Midnight Taiko has also had opportunities to perform internationally, including performances at temples and schools in Japan. The ensemble has performed for organizations and events including Calgary Opera, GlobalFest, TEDxCalgary, and the Calgary Flames.

Midnight Taiko’s mission remains:

To learn, preserve, and promote Taiko in Calgary and beyond.

The group continues to collaborate with musicians, artists, and taiko ensembles while exploring both traditional and contemporary approaches to Japanese drumming.

More Than Performance

Over the past 20 years, Midnight Taiko has become more than a performing group.

The ensemble now offers public classes, workshops, educational demonstrations, helping introduce new audiences to Japanese drumming in an accessible and welcoming environment.

Midnight Taiko continues to grow through community engagement and cultural education, creating opportunities for people of all backgrounds to experience the physicality, discipline, and joy of taiko.

The group also remains closely connected with the Calgary Japanese Community Association, where members rehearse regularly and continue contributing to Calgary’s Japanese cultural community.

Looking Forward

Twenty years later, the heartbeat that began in a basement still echoes.

From Ushio Taiko to Todoroki Taiko to Midnight Taiko, the journey has been shaped by passionate members, community support, cultural exchange, and countless hours of practice.

As Midnight Taiko celebrates its 20th anniversary, the group honours everyone who helped build and sustain the ensemble over the years — founders, past members, instructors, volunteers, supporters, audiences, and community partners.

Most importantly, Midnight Taiko looks forward to continuing the journey: sharing rhythm, building friendships, and bringing the spirit of taiko to future generations.

Thank you for being part of our story.