Michelle Shimozato currently teaches the Kodaiko class on Sundays. Michelle was an active performing member of Yakudo for 10 years and retired from performing in 2007. She now spends her time with Yakudo teach the kids class and has been teaching for the past 2 years. Her passion for Taiko remains strong and her love for teaching goes beyond the music. Michelle enjoys being a part of the kids’ initial introduction to Taiko and seeing their progression as they gain confidence in their abilities and development.

Akiko, a second generation Japanese Canadian (Nissei), was born in Toronto and grew up in Brampton. All her exposure to Japanese music & culture was through her mother who loved singing old traditional Japanese songs while doing housework. When Akiko moved to Toronto for university she began to realize the abundance of different cultures, which prompted her to look into her own heritage. She started off with training in various martial arts and befriending many working holiday visitors from Japan. In Taiko she discovered a perfect blend of martial arts, Japanese heritage and music, and began to take Taiko lessons from Yakudo in the summer of ’95. In 1996 she joined the performing group as an apprentice and after many years as a performer, she was honoured to become the Director in 2004. Now as a mother herself, she has made a resolution to pass down the Japanese culture and history to her son, through Taiko. In addition to being Yakudo’s Director, she enjoys teaching the Kodaiko class and is actively involved in preparing and presenting Taiko workshops and presentations.

Raised in Scarborough, Sam was exposed to a myriad of different cultures, customs and music. A search into his own culture sparked a passion for Japanese martial arts and customs. The discovery of Taiko in 1991 was a revelation for Sam; Taiko embodied all of the things he sought. Lessons were followed by admission into Toronto Suwa Daiko which not long after became Yakudo, Traditional Japanese Drummers. Over a decade later, Sam will admit that the art of taiko is one that is not easily mastered and is indeed, one that requires constant refinement and perseverance.  Sam currently serves as Chairman on the Board of Directors and is an advisor on Taiko maintenance and repairs, ensuring Yakudo’s taiko are in tip top shape.

Carrie’s first encounter with Taiko was at a Kodo concert.  Inspired by their energy and the physical challenge, she decided to look for a local Taiko group and found Yakudo.  Within nine months of lessons she was hooked. Their unique style of taiko, full of energy and spirit, moved her to audition to become an apprentice.  She was accepted as the newest member of Yakudo in April of 2010 after a year of apprenticeship with her inspiring and supportive mentor, Elsie Vane.  Carrie is now a happy and proud member of the Yakudo family.

Jo-Ann’s first experience with taiko was watching Arashi Daiko in Montreal at Japanese community festivals.  She started taking taiko classes in Montreal and then discovered Yakudo after moving to Toronto. She has been an apprentice with Yakudo since early 2009. When not playing taiko, Jo-Ann enjoys spending her time with her family, who are very supportive of her taiko playing.