Mu Artistic Director, Mu Daiko, Board of Directors, Core Artistic Group
Rick Shiomi is the Artistic Director and a founding member of both Theater Mu and Mu Daiko. As a taiko performer, he began his career in the late 1970s with Katari Taiko in Vancouver, Canada. In the early 1980s he studied and performed with the San Francisco Taiko Dojo under Grandmaster Seiichi Tanaka. He also performed with Soh Daiko of New York, San Jose Taiko, and Wasabi Daiko of Toronto. As a theater artist, he has written and directed many plays for Theater Mu and is considered one of the leading figures of Asian American theater.
Mu Daiko
Gregg Amundson is in his fifth year as a member of Mu Daiko and his sixth year with a pair of bachi in his hands. He would like to thank his family and friends for putting up with all the banging out of rhythms on furniture and counter tops. And to Mu Daiko for giving him something real to play on.
Mu Daiko (on leave)
Holly Hee Won Coughlin began playing taiko in 2001 and is thankful for the way taiko connects the mind, body and spirit. This is her third year with Mu Daiko and she is thrilled to be a part of the group. She would like to thank Mu Daiko, Mu Performing Arts and her friends and family for their continued support and encouragement.
Mu Daiko
Jeff Ellsworth began playing taiko in 1999 after attending one of Theater Mu's first student taiko recitals. After participating in many a taiko class he joined Mu Daiko as an intern in 2003. Jeff's interest in taiko have gone beyond performing, which he enjoys immensely. He is known to spend a large amount of time researching other taiko groups and is known to travel great distances to attend their performances. He wishes to thank his family, fellow students, teachers and MN Taiko for their support. He also would like to thank all the guest artists and taiko luminaries he has encountered for their inspiration.
Mu Daiko
Eileen Ho was first swept up by the awesome energy and creative force of Mu Daiko in their "Taiko Storm" concert of 2000. She then embarked on an incredible journey with wonderful teachers and fellow students to explore, create, and play taiko in a challenging yet joyful environment, eventually landing on stage to perform with Mu Daiko in 2005. As she happily navigates through taiko classes, rehearsals, and performances, she also enjoys performing with the Sumunar Gamelan Ensemble, home schooling her four children, and going on dates with her high school sweetheart. Eileen thanks her family & friends for going along for the ride and sharing in the excitement of life's adventures!
Mu Daiko
Heather Jeche has been studying taiko for three years. She continues to be amazed by the physical power and internal energy of taiko, and loves how it has changed her life. She's very grateful to be part of such a fantastic group, and appreciates the inspiration and energy from Mu Daiko and her students. A huge thank you to her family and friends for their love, support and encouragement. She couldn't do it without them!
Mu Daiko
Craig Schultz recently played his first concert with Mu Daiko. He gave up being a Fancy Bastard (his old band) for the opportunity to intern with Mu. He feels lucky to be a part of this, and thanks Mu Daiko for letting him be here.
Mu Daiko
Sarah Senseman saw her first Taiko show in 2000 and has been playing ever since. She has benefited greatly from the frequent banging on the drums in interesting company. When Sarah isn't drumming, you can find her playing elaborate animal games with her son Gabriel, or working her day job in public health. She would like to thank her fellow Mu Daiko members for their inspiration, support and for not taking life too seriously. She would also like to thank Gabe for keeping her young at heart, her parents for continuing to attend her performances way beyond junior high and her fantastic group of friends! She hopes that you will feel her joy to be here, now, playing taiko.
Mu Daiko, Lead Taiko Instructor, Mu Staff (Taiko Programs Coordinator),Core Artistic Group
Iris Shiraishi has been a member of Mu Daiko since 1997 and has studied taiko with Rick Shiomi, Kenny Endo, San Jose Taiko and fue with Kenny Endo and Masakazu Yoshizawa. She was a grant recipient of the Asian American Renaissance/Jerome Foundation Emerging Artist program in 2000 and 2002, and received a Jerome Study and Travel Grant in 2005.
Susan Tanabe is delighted to be performing in her first year with Mu Daiko as an intern. Her taiko studies began in 2006 shortly after graduating from the University of Minnesota with a degree in percussion performance. Other than playing taiko, she enjoys freelancing with local bands in Minneapolis, the Rochester Symphony Orchestra and Chorale, and various choirs in the region. She would like to thank Mu Daiko members for their encouragement and guidance, her fellow taiko students for their good energy and excitement, and her family and friends for their love and support.
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