Erez Van Ham - Founder

Erez was born in Toronto and moved to Northern Japan’s Akita city after graduation. While there he picked up Japanese hobbies, such as the martial art Shorinji Kempo and Taiko. A perfectionist at heart, Erez put everything into both of these hobbies, earning a black belt in Shorinji Kempo and performing taiko at one of the biggest festivals in Northern Japan.

After 3 years, Erez returned to Toronto to do his International MBA. During his studies he had the opportunity to return to Japan to do an internship and exchange. Upon graduation, Erez went back to Japan for the third time to work. During his 2 years in the Tokyo area, Erez devoted his extra time to taiko, playing with a semi-professional group in Saitama—Hanabusa Taiko. As a member of Hanabusa, Erez performed regularly, from small corporate events to large festivals, including the Sanja festival in Tokyo, attended by over one million visitors.

After returning to Toronto, Erez felt a void in his life—his love for taiko was too strong and, after playing with a couple of Toronto-based taiko groups, he formed his own group, Arashido Taiko.

Erez is passionate about taiko and this comes out through the raw energy displayed when he plays. His form takes on elements from both traditional taiko playing and martial arts, imagining the taiko stick (bachi) moving through the air like a Japanese sword (katana). His rhythms are sometimes traditional, sometimes modern, and sometimes a fusion of the two, often mixing taiko with regular Western drum sets.

Hitoshi Murakami

Hitoshi developed a passion for percussion playing the drums in high school, but didn’t have as much of an opportunity to play while attending University. It wasn’t until 2006 that drumming entered his life, this time in the form of a small taiko group in Nagasaki prefecture. Wanting to continue playing in Toronto, Hitoshi discovered Arashido Taiko and joined their ranks in the fall of 2009. Hitoshi’s interest in taiko originates from memories of autumn festivals in his Grandfather’s hometown in rural Japan. The simple act of seeing, hearing and feeling wood hit a taut drum skin still brings him back to his childhood.

Yuen-Han Wong

Yuen was first introduced to taiko at a street festival in Toronto during her childhood. When she moved to Wakayama, Japan in 2008, she saw a taiko group perform at a summer festival and that memory came rushing back. She immediately sought her town’s local taiko group to learn more about the powerful and mesmerizing ways of taiko drumming. After returning to Canada, Yuen wanted to continue to cultivate her taiko skills; she joined Arashido Taiko in the winter of 2010.

Rachel Lam

Like many others, Rachel Lam has spent time in Japan teaching English, living in Hyogo Prefecture for one year. Upon her return to Toronto, she wanted to find an activity connected with Japanese and Asian culture. As a member of the JETAA dragonboat team, she met Karen who naturally suggested taiko. Despite having no previous taiko experience, Rachel was intrigued and started lessons with the group that fall. Having enjoyed it immensely and after bonding with the group, she decided to join Arashido Taiko in December 2010 when asked. She feels taiko helps reinforce teamwork and is also a fun way to exercise.

Josef Addleman

Josef Addleman has been playing various forms of percussion for over 15 years, in everything from orchestras to punk bands. He first honed his taiko skills on the "Taiko no Tatsujin" arcade machines while living in Tokushima, Japan. After returning to Canada in 2006, Josef was excited to become a founding member of Arashido Taiko. He is an avid improviser, both on the drums and onstage in comedy clubs around Toronto.

Karen Clipsham

Karen Clipsham is a founding member of Arashido Taiko. Her musical background spans from classical training in piano and violin to choral ensembles and a rock band in high school. Growing up watching taiko performances at Japanese schools in Toronto and Obon festivals in Japan, Karen was keen to try taiko for herself someday. She first studied with Susobana daiko while living in Nagano, Japan. As this was a sub-group of O-Suwa Daiko, a particular highlight was the opportunity to perform at the Special Olympics with Mr. Oguchi and 200 other drummers. She draws inspiration and motivation to grow from memories of Kodo at the Sado Island Earth Festival.

Robin McLeod

Robin McLeod joined Arashido Taiko in January 2009, after taking lessons with the group in fall 2008. While relatively new to taiko, Robin has known her way around a keyboard since she can remember, and has logged countless hours in the school band room on alto saxophone. She has also had voice training and has performed in a number of choirs. Taiko drumming was a natural way for Robin to combine her extensive musical background with her interest in Japanese culture – an interest that led her on a two-week tour of Osaka, Tokyo, Kyoto and Kagawa prefecture in May 2008.

Nicole Shaw

Nicole Shaw has had a passion for music from an early age which was nurtured through voice and piano lessons, playing the cello, and singing in the High Park Girls Choir of Toronto. In 2004 Nicole moved to Iwaki Japan where she immediately became inspired by the power, simplicity and tradition of taiko. Over her 3 years in Japan Nicole practiced and performed with Mitsu Mori Taiko and Ichida no Kai, playing at local festivals, private government functions, and charity events. Nicole joined Arashido Taiko in the winter of 2008 where she continues to expand her abilities and where she’s motivated by the other talented musicians who share her love of taiko, Japanese culture and performing arts.

Sunil Pai

Sunil Pai first played taiko as part of a city festival during his three years teaching English in Towada city in Aomori, Japan. Despite his having played trombone, alto saxophone, and even ukulele, hitting that large, resonating drum was on a completely different level, and he was instantly hooked. Seeking an opportunity to learn more and continue drumming, he joined Suijin Kaminari Daiko in Towada and played other festivals, city events, and even a friend’s wedding before he returned to Canada. Following a move to the Greater Toronto Area in 2010, he had the chance to take lessons with Arashido Taiko that fall, and was thrilled to join the group later that year.

Maiko Yoneda

Maiko Yoneda joined Arashido Taiko at the end of 2010.