Makoto Taiko

Makoto Taiko (真鼓音太鼓) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit taiko drumming ensemble located in Pasadena, C Makoto Taiko has performed at various locations throughout the U.S.

Since 1999, we have been drumming under the philosophy of "makoto", which can be defined as "sincerity and intention." and welcomes people of all ages and backgrounds to join in on spreading the thunderous voice of taiko drumming all around the world!

03/10/2026

The Makoto Taiko Performance Training Class performed at Huntington Library for Lunar New Year at Huntington with the Guo Jie Taichi Academy on February 21 and 22.

Two teams performed across two days starting from 11am, 1pm, and 3pm each time opening with Rapids and then Shobayashi as the background music for multiple wushu routines. Both days were met with sunshine and large crowds ✨ This is always such a fun event for us! Looking forward to next year and appreciate the invitation from Guo Jie Taichi Academy every year!

02/17/2026

Thank you to the Huntington Library and Gardens for inviting us back to perform at their Lunar New Year celebration. We are thrilled and honored to participate in this special event featuring so many wonderful dancers, musicians, and artisans in celebration of the Year of the Horse.

Join us this weekend (February 21 & 22) from 10am-5pm at the Huntington for two great days of family-friendly festivities! Go to huntington.org for tickets, as reservations are required!

12/31/2025

If you’d like to start classes at Makoto Taiko but you already have some taiko experience, join us for a special workshop January 10!

This immersive, intermediate-level workshop will help us get to know you better and place you in an appropriate class 😊

Intermediate Taiko Readiness Workshop
🗓️ Sat, January 10
🕰️ 2:30 - 4:30pm
🏷️ $30
📍 Makoto Taiko
(1467 Lincoln Ave, Pasadena)

✨ Intro to intermediate-level practice
✨ Hands-on, immersive taiko workshop
✨ Supportive, ensemble-centered environment

See the link in our bio for details!

12/30/2025

Announcing an additional Beginner Foundations class for Adult and Youth (ages 13+)

Saturdays @ 12:30 - 2:00pm
January 10 - June 2026

Learn foundational taiko skills and a fun song in a supportive, ensemble-centered community!

(If you already signed up for the Thursday class but would prefer the Saturday class, please email [email protected])

Registration now open for all beginner-level classes (for adults, youth, and seniors!), as well as a special intermediate workshop for new Makoto members who have taiko experience!

The new Saturday class is pending sufficient enrollment.

See the link in our bio for details! 😊

12/20/2025

New classes start at Makoto Taiko the week of January 5! Join us and experience the joy of taiko ✨ No experience required ☺️

Foundations
Beginner Adults & Kids (ages 13-17)
Thursdays 5:00-6:30pm

Taiko for Seniors (65+)
Fridays 11:45am-12:45pm

Beginner Kids (ages 8-12)
Mondays 4:00-4:45

All classes are held at the Makoto Taiko studio (1467 Lincoln Ave., Pasadena, CA 91103) and run weekly from January through June.

Interested in joining? Go to makototaiko.org/classes or click the link in our bio.

Already know the basics of taiko? Stay tuned for details about our Intro to Intermediate workshops in January!

Makoto Taiko is a Pasadena-based non-profit organization that teaches Japanese taiko drumming to anyone who would like to learn this invigorating art form, welcoming all ages, cultural backgrounds, religious beliefs, or skill levels. We are one of the largest community taiko groups in Southern California and have been offering kids classes for 20 years. Our instructors include Grammy-award recognized artists and taiko players and musicians with decades of experience.

Being in a performing arts group can be a transformative and profound experience, and we at Makoto Taiko look forward to welcoming new students and their families. Come join our multigenerational, multiracial, and multiethnic members in advancing Makoto Taiko’s commitment to performing arts culture, public service, and arts education!

11/14/2025

American Foundation for Su***de Prevention has been having an annual walk in Pasadena for the past 12 years. Makoto Taiko has participated in this wonderful event since 2019. We are so honored to be asked to come every year and provide support to the important and pressing issue of su***de. The Makoto players come away touched and inspired in a very unique way.

AFSP raises funds through their nationwide walks to provide su***de prevention education programs, support groundbreaking su***de research, advocate for major federal policies, develop an Interactive Screening Program used by mental health services at hundreds of schools, workplaces and other organizations, and provide services to families who have suffered su***de loss and those suffering from depression.

10/30/2025

We are so thrilled to announce our 2025 concert, Hishō, will premiere on YouTube on Saturday, November 1 at 3pm PDT. Head to the link in our bio for more info, and thank you so much for your support!

10/15/2025

Join the Makoto Taiko Youth Ensemble this Saturday (10/18) for an unforgettable performance at the Fall Arts Crawl!

🌳 Library Park
🏛️ South Pasadena Library
📍 1100 Oxley Street

🗓️ Saturday 10/18
3pm - Origami Craft (in the Children’s Room of the library)
5pm - Makoto Taiko Youth Ensemble (in Library Park, on the Oxley Street side of the library)

Big thanks to the South Pasadena Public Library for hosting such a fun event!

09/16/2025

The Makoto team is so energized and full of gratitude after a wonderful weekend at the North American Taiko Conference (NATC) in Arizona! Thank you so much to all the groups, volunteers, staff, tech crews, and audience for making this such a special event. We were honored to share the stage with all the talented groups. Thank you, Arizona!

07/22/2025

Attention Seniors! If you’re looking for a fun way to build community and work on strength and mobility, our beginner-level taiko class for seniors starts up again on August 8!
This class will meet on Fridays 1:00 - 2:00 pm, and you don’t need any taiko or musical experience. ☺️ This class will cover taiko fundamentals, with attention to mobility, movement, and having a lot of fun! To learn more, click the link in our bio or visit makototaiko.org/classes to register by August 4.
🗓️ Classes start August 8 and meet every Friday 1-2pm through mid-December
⏳ Registration deadline is August 4
📍 Classes are at our studio (1465 Lincoln Ave, Pasadena)

07/05/2025

Have you been wanting to try your hand at taiko?! 😊 We are offering one-day, beginner-level “Intro to Taiko” classes this summer, and we have just a few spots left in the July 15 and July 22 sessions!

In this one-day, 1.5-hour, beginner-friendly session, you will play on a real taiko drum, learn the basics of stance, form and strike, and try out a simple rhythm.

With this class, you can see if taiko is right for you, and if you might want to register for the Foundation class which meets weekly August-December.

Our “Intro to Taiko” workshop is the perfect opportunity to experience the excitement and energy of taiko for the very first time! Registration is open to adults and youth (13+).

Workshop Details:

🗓️ Dates: Select one - July 15 or 22

🕰️ Time: 7:45 PM – 9:15 PM

💲 Cost: $30 (one class)

⏳ Class Size: Limited to 25 participants per class (first come, first served)

📍 Location: Makoto Taiko, 1465 Lincoln Ave, Pasadena, CA 91103

🅿️ Parking: Street parking only

💁🏻‍♀️ For more information and to register for the class, click on the link in our bio.

📸 Photos 1-4 courtesy of Nat Roman ( )