In this episode of SLANT, host Dana Tai Soon Burgess interviews Mark H. Rooney, master taiko drummer and founder of the annual Sakura Taiko Fest in Washington, D.C. Mark reflects on his biracial Japanese American identity and the complexities of navigating cultural belonging in both the U.S. and Japan. He shares his journey from growing up in Massachusetts to finding his cultural roots through taiko drumming, eventually becoming a prominent instructor and performer in the U.S., Japan, and Europe. Dive into a rich conversation about the history of taiko, its spiritual and historical significance, and the power of cultural arts in fostering connections across continents. Mark also highlights the evolution of taiko as a modern ensemble performance and his ongoing mission to teach and expand the art form.

Mark H Rooney – “the world’s most dangerous half-Japanese/half-Scottish solo improvisational taiko artist” – has been studying, performing, and teaching taiko for the past 25 years in the US, Japan and Europe. He was the Artistic Director of Odaiko New England, the founding instructor for Wesleyan University’s taiko program, and a touring member of Taikoza. Mark has collaborated with a wide variety of artists and groups including Tiger Okoshi, Opera unMet, UpRooted Dance, Arts on the Horizon, and ilyAIMY. He now lives in the Washington DC area, continuing with his mission: “taiko for all people at all levels.”

Listen to this episode on your favorite streaming platform: