kaDON x House of Circles

Shoji Kameda from the USA, known among other things for the kaDON platform (https://kadon.com), will be giving a series of exclusive workshops with us in IJsselstein on November 22nd and 23rd. These workshops are open to all levels and are highly recommended for your development as a taiko player and to learn about taiko from an international perspective.

Who is Shoji Kameda?

Shoji Kameda is a Grammy-nominated musician, composer, and producer. A taiko artist since the age of eight, he has performed with icons like Stevie Wonder, composed award-winning soundtracks, and was the co-founder and driving creative force behind the genre-defying group On Ensemble.

In 2014, he founded kaDON—a dynamic taiko initiative that supports taiko players around the world through workshops, original repertoire, high-quality instruments, and accessible online resources.

Shoji’s work bridges tradition and innovation, making him a defining voice in the contemporary taiko world.

Workshop – November 22

Playing as an Ensemble with "Ready Set kaDON!"

Open to all levels

This intensive training focuses on deepening our listening skills and our ability to play together as an ensemble by learning the piece Ready Set kaDON.

Developing listening skills is absolutely essential for ensemble playing, but it often receives too little attention in the rush to master repertoire. On top of that, it can be challenging to develop effective exercises and techniques for this.

In this workshop series, we’ll dive straight into a step-by-step process, starting with a fresh look at how we use kuchishoka to learn and internalize patterns.

Participants will receive preparatory materials in advance, and by the end of the series, they will have learned the full piece Ready Set kaDON, which they can perform together with people from around the world.
Additionally, they will have strengthened their listening and ensemble skills and gained a powerful set of exercises and techniques that can be applied to any taiko piece to refine and enhance group performance.

Schedule

09:30 – 10:00 : Welcome
10:00 – 13:00 : Workshop part 1
13:00 – 14:00 : Break
14:00 – 17:00 : Workshop part 2

*This is a 6-hour long workshop with a break for lunch in between
*Please provide your own lunch

Cost

€130,-

If you join both Saturday and Sunday the total cost will be € 220,-

Workshop – November 23

音色 Neiro: The Color of Sound

Open to all levels

Taiko is more than just dons and kas—discover the full sonic potential of the drum in this hands-on workshop.

Designed for players of all levels, the first half of this intensive training focuses on using your whole body to produce a single, quality sound from the drum. Participants will learn to play with relaxation in a way that maximizes efficiency and harnesses the full potential of the body.

The second half of the session explores innovative techniques to create textures, tones, and rhythms that go beyond traditional strikes. Learn to listen for subtlety, experiment with stick angles and resonance, and uncover a whole world of different sounds on the taiko.

Shoji guides participants in integrating these sounds into compositions and improvisations, with a focus on creativity, intention, and the art of listening. Whether you’re looking for new inspiration or additional tools for expression, this workshop will expand your taiko “sound library” and broaden your perspective on what’s possible with the drum.

Schedule

09:30 – 10:00 : Welcome
10:00 – 13:00 : Workshop part 1
13:00 – 14:00 : Break
14:00 – 17:00 : Workshop part 2

*This is a 6-hour long workshop with a break for lunch in between
*Please provide your own lunch

Cost

€130,-

If you join both Saturday and Sunday the total cost will be € 220,-