BOOM! Taiko drum artist Mark Rooney mixes the traditional power of this huge instrument with a modern vibe. His interactive performance rocks the house with massive sound and energy as participants learn some fascinating musical history and Japanese vocabulary—and have a chance to try their hand at playing these big drums!

Connections to the Classroom: Asian Pacific American Heritage Month; Music; Call and Response; Theater/Performing Arts

About the Artist: Based in the Washington, DC area, Mark’s credits as a performing artist span multiple continents and genres. He began his taiko career in Boston, MA as a performing member of Odaiko New England in 1998. He has since performed with several groups in Japan, and has performed widely in Europe and the U.S. as a touring member of Taikoza. Mark is a dynamic and talented performer, but his true passion lies with teaching taiko. In addition to serving as Odaiko New England’s Artistic Director from 2008 – 2010, Mark was the principal architect and instructor for their widely successful education program. He has also taught in after-school programs and colleges, as well as the Mark H Rooney Taiko School for students in the DC area. To learn more, please visit him online at markhrooney.com.

 

The 2023-2024 Discovery Theater Season is made possible by a generous grant from the Nora Roberts Foundation

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Learning Guide

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