Taiko Residency
Burlington Taiko Group and its Sensei, Stuart Paton, conduct 50-75 school performances and residencies annually, providing approximately 5,000 students a year first-hand knowledge of the excitement and power of playing taiko. The purpose of our work in schools is to allow children in North America to further their appreciation for diverse cultures, and to see first hand, role models of adults expressing powerful, even fierce, creative energy in avenues that benefit the community. Taiko is just spectacular. The rhythms, the dancing, the brilliant colors are all especially engaging and compelling for children and young adults. We hope our work can inspire them to find constructive, creative outlets for their abundant energy and to do it with the dedication and joy we bring to our own discipline.
Providing a well-rounded educational experience, Burlington Taiko offers both group performances for the whole school and residencies led by Paton Sensei. Performances are typically 60 minutes, and can adjust to accommodate school schedules. Between pieces, students are encouraged to ask questions about taiko and the group. Workshops provide students with the opportunity to play on the drums and learn a taiko piece themselves. Half day, full day programs and weeklong residencies are available on request. If desired, the curriculum may also include learning a traditional Japanese Obon dance, Shishimai Lion dance, discussions of growing up in Japan, percussion, drum building, how taiko groups train and learn songs, together with the history of taiko and its place in Japanese and American society today.
Residency Description
In a residency program, students learn Taiko as a language first, and then play on the drums. Along with Taiko music they can also learn to perform Shishimai (Lion Dance), Japanese folk dance and songs. Stuart teaches up to 35 students at a time. He offers Workshop rates for 90 minutes and for a full day (4.5 hrs). An extended residency can be one week to three weeks long, and includes 4.5 hours of contact time per day. These 5 to 15 day residencies begin with a school assembly, and culminate in a public recital performed by your students on the final day and/or evening.
Fee support for Stuart Paton and Burlington Taiko may be available to nonprofit organizations through the New England States Touring (NEST) program of the New England Foundation for the Arts.
Visit NEFA.org for more information.
Below is a “menu” of different taiko workshop and performance options.
Residency Prices
- One 4.5 hour day: $675
- 5 day discounted price: $3125
- Solo School Assembly: $575
- Burlington Taiko Assembly: $1,500 Quintet, $1050 Trio
- Recital fee: $200
(Transportation fee is calculated based on mileage traveled. Lodging is requested for extended residencies.)
5-Day Special Package: All-school Assembly, 5 Days, Student Recital
A K-12/ all-school assembly by Stuart Paton starts this residency. 5 days of instruction culminates in a recital with 5 or 6 groups of 35 students. More students can be reached if some of the Taiko classes switch to Folk-dancing, or if the number of recital groups is reduced.
- $3,900 + travel and lodging.
10-Day Special Package: All-school Assembly, 10 Days, Student Recital
K-12/ all-school assembly by Stuart Paton starts this residency. 10 days of instruction culminates in a recital with 10 or 11 groups of 35 students. More students can be reached if some of the Taiko classes switch to Folk-dancing, or if the number of recital groups is reduced.
- $7,025 plus travel and lodging.
Yume (DREAM) Residency
Begin your taiko program with an exciting and energizing performance with Burlington Taiko. Then, have your students experience 10 days of workshops with Paton Sensei, ending with their own fabulous taiko recital. This package includes up to 9 groups of 35 students ready for a recital with Taiko and folk dancing, and a day of shorter workshops with other classes.
- $7,950 + travel and lodging.
Kaminari (THUNDER) Residency
Includes a Burlington Taiko performance to start the residency, and 5 days of taiko workshops culminating in a recital with 5 groups of 35 students.
- $4,825 + travel and lodging.
Mikazuki (CRESCENT MOON) Residency
Three days of workshops with 1 or 2 groups of 35 students, plus shorter workshops where other classes learn a bit of taiko and Japanese folk dances. This ends with a recital by the 1 or 2 groups of 35, and a school performance with Burlington Taiko.
- $3,725 + travel and lodging.
Inazuma (LIGHTNING) Workshop with Burlington Taiko Performance
Up to 35 students at a time can enjoy 30-90 minute lessons with Paton Sensei, up to 4 ½ hours of contact time all in one day!
- $2,175 + travel