The Intercollegiate Taiko Invitational at the University of California, San Diego
The Intercollegiate Taiko Invitational (ITI) is a soon-to-be 32-year-long tradition held over multiple days (5/23/26 - 5/24/26). Started by Stanford Taiko in 1995, ITI has been held at different colleges and universities every year. The invitational was held at the University of California Davis in 2023, at the University of Oregon in 2024, and at Stanford University in 2025. In 2026, Asayake Taiko at UC San Diego will continue the yearly tradition of ITI, spreading the art of taiko to new and old players and cultivating the North American taiko community.
What is the Intercollegiate Taiko Invitational?
The event consists primarily of taiko workshops where small groups of students are taught by an instructor in an area the instructor is particularly skilled in or passionate about. Since each student is able to attend multiple workshops over the course of the event, they’re able to gain taiko experience from a diverse set of teachers. These teachers are renowned for their artistry and their impact on the taiko community. Previous Invitationals have hosted artists such as Kenny Endo, Taiko Project, San Jose Taiko, Naruwan Taiko, and many more. ITI provides players the opportunity to learn from many of the best and most influential taiko artists in North America. There are also instructor and collegiate taiko concerts, where the instructors and attendees perform their own taiko pieces in front of a large audience. These concerts are an opportunity to see a wide variety of taiko groups and styles all in one place..
Why is ITI important to the North American taiko community?
The Intercollegiate Taiko Invitational provides a unique chance for students to meet and learn from many of the best performers in the North American taiko community. ITI also creates an opportunity for taiko players to form connections with other groups, which helps to foster and maintain the North American taiko community. The main objectives of ITI are to help collegiate taiko players improve, provide an opportunity to perform in front of the rest of the taiko community, and to strengthen the taiko community.
How can you help?
We are asking for your financial support so we can make ITI a special experience for all the participants, bring the best instructors in North American taiko, and bolster the North American taiko community. Thank you for your support!
