Michael Naishtut

When Michael plays taiko he truly captures audiences with his charismatic and powerful drumming.

Michael has many years of experience studying, performing and teaching Japanese drumming. He has played taiko since 1992 when he went to Sado Island for a 5-day “Kodo Juku” (training) taught by Katsushi Kondo. Returning to Tokyo, Michael continued his taiko training under Miyauchi Yukihiro Sensei, a former member of Sukeroku Daiko and founder of “Wakon.”

As the senior student of Miyauchi Sensei, Michael was a founding member of “Waraku Daiko,” Miyauchi Sensei's student group. Michael and various members of Waraku Daiko, have performed at the Kodo Earth Celebration Fringe Events every year since 1993. In 2000 Michael formed Akaoni Daiko with other senior members of Waraku Daiko to further explore Japanese drumming and create new pieces.

He is also a professional actor and narrator in Tokyo often appearing on stage, TV, radio and film and is famous for his role in “Eigorian,” a popular children’s TV show.

Stephanie Fukui

Growing up amidst the cool rhythms of her hometown Chicago, Stephanie came to Japan secure in the knowledge that “funk is its own reward.” Driven to find that reward, she has been studying and performing Japanese taiko since 1996.

Stephanie’s vision leads her to create imaginative pieces using dance, martial arts, and innovative techniques with a good groove. Besides taiko, Stephanie also cares for her family and works passionately to help bereaved families. She founded and is the Executive Director of the SIDS Family Association Japan, (www.sids.gr.jp) a nationwide support organization.

Nathan Konrad

Nathan grew up in the cold, Canadian north. This gave him ample opportunity to dabble in various musical pursuits. Clarinet, guitar, piano and singing were all passing interests, but after joining Waraku Daiko in 1996 he found just the right mix of music, culture and physical activity with taiko.

Nathan has been honing his skills with Akaoni Daiko since it's inception, bringing power and adding creative new sounds and rhythms. In his "other" life, Nathan is a computer engineer at a small internet software firm, and freelance technical interpreter/translator.

Cathy Layne

Beautiful, brainy, and blessed with tremendous taiko talent, Cathy hails from Liverpool in England, a city with a rich musical tradition. She has lived in Tokyo since 1996 and started studying taiko in 1999. When not drumming, she divides her time between studying Japanese, teaching English to small children, and expanding her karaoke repertoire.

Kerry Muir

Kerry came to taiko with some hesitancy, preferring the enthusiastic supporter role, but since finally picking up the sticks, there has been no turning back. Now with more than six years of practice and experience, she exudes energy, warmth, enthusiasm, excitement and the “sunshine of Australia” on the Akaoni stage. Kerry also teaches English at Tokai University Junior College.

Marie Naishtut

From the island of Okinawa, Marie is as exotically beautiful as the land from which she has come. Though she is the youngest and newest member of Aka Oni Daiko, she possesses a natural island rhythm that makes her a great talent. Marie’s passions include interior design, nature, and caring for her patients as a certified nurse in Tokyo.

Guest members

Mieko Nunomura

Mieko’s more than 20 years experience as a professional dancer of traditional Japanese folk dance is only part of the reason for her beautiful fluid movements when she is at the drum. Her classic Japanese style also tells of her roots.

Born in Tokyo and part of the traditional Tokyo festivals since childhood, she is the REAL thing! Her dance career has led her to take part in and manage big production dance numbers for theatres as well as clubs and hotels and to tour more than 15 countries with Japanese dance productions. She has studied and performed taiko with Yukihiro Miyauchi sensei since 1994.

Mieko formed her own dance troupe in 1998 called “Odorigumi” and gives workshops and performances in hopes that traditional dance can be shared and enjoyed by a wider audience. She also works as part of the Organizational Development team for Creating.

Cathy Bernatt

Cathy radiates fun and passion when she plays taiko. Her audience is transported with her to the heart of taiko by her creative and rapturous style of playing.

She first heard taiko at a Native American Indian drumming festival in Toronto, Canada more than 15 years ago. Her heart momentarily stopped as she recognized this sound as coming from the spiritual birthplace that she had long been searching for. Arriving “home” a few years later, she began to play taiko with Yukihiro Miyauchi in 1995, after seeing Waraku Daiko perform at the Kodo Earth Celebration. She has also played with Miyabi Arashi.

In 1996, Cathy began to lead Outdoor Adventure & Taiko weekend workshops with Yukihiro Miyauchi as part of her organization, Wanderlust Adventures. These weekends have combined taiko with rockclimbing, kayaking and cross-country skiing. Cathy is President and Organizational Development Team Leader of Creating…®, an Organizational Development & Management Consulting firm. She is also the International Program Coordinator of Outward Bound Japan.