Taikoz Artists
About Taikoz
ABOUT TAIKOZ
Ian Cleworth and Daishihan Riley Lee formed Taikoz in 1997. Over the past twenty-nine years, the group has developed a large, original repertoire of works and productions that has seen them perform on the stages of Australia's finest concert halls, in the theatres of regional Australia, and in leading theatres and concert halls worldwide.
Ian Cleworth and Daishihan Riley Lee formed Taikoz in 1997. Over the past twenty-nine years, the group has developed a large, original repertoire of works and productions that has seen them perform on the stages of Australia's finest concert halls, in the theatres of regional Australia, and in leading theatres and concert halls worldwide.
Taikoz has performed numerous times in Japan, including at the illustrious National Theatre of Japan, as well as Paris’s Centre Pompidou, and arts festivals in Bangkok, Taiwan, New Zealand, and West Coast USA. A major international highlight was a five-city tour of India, which saw Chi Udaka – their collaboration with choreographer Anandavalli and Lingalayam Dance Company – receive wide critical acclaim. Chi Udaka was remounted in 2023 at the invitation of the Sydney Opera House to be a part of their month-long 50th anniversary celebrations, and again in 2024 for a season at Singapore’s Esplanade Theatres.
Esteemed collaborators include composers Sandy Evans, Yunyu, Karlin Love, Lachlan Skipworth, Gerard Brophy, Andrea Molino, and Michael Askill – and creative artists as diverse as John Bell and the Bell Shakespeare Company, taiko greats Eitetsu Hayashi, Yoshikazu Fujimoto, Chieko Kojima, and Shogo Yoshii, First Nations dancer Waangenga Blanco, art-music ensembles Synergy Percussion, Ensemble Offspring, and the Sydney Improvisers Composers Kollektiv Orchestra, as well as distinguished choreographers Meryl Tankard and Anandavalli. The group has also collaborated with the world-renowned performing arts ensemble Kodo on two nation-wide tours of Australia. Taikoz’s latest major collaboration was with Belloo Creative, which produced Sand – a theatre work for dance, hi-tech visual imagery and original music by Ian Cleworth, Xuri and Anton Lock that centred on a First Nations culturally informed story by playwright Katherine Lyall-Watson.
Taikoz has appeared in concerto works with major orchestras, including thirteen performances of Maki Ishii's ground-breaking Mono-Prism, and premiere performances of Gerard Brophy's Book Of Clouds and Andrea Molino's multi-media Winners, which premiered at the Brisbane Festival and Paris’s Pompidou Centre.
Collaborating orchestras are the Sydney, Melbourne, West Australian, and Queensland Symphony Orchestras, as well as the Dresden Sinfoniker in Europe. Most recently, Taikoz, Riley Lee and Kaoru Watanabe were featured soloists with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, performing their own works in arrangements for the ensemble and orchestra, culminating in a commissioned work for the Taikoz ensemble by Lachlan Skipworth, The Breath Of Thunder.
Collaborating orchestras are the Sydney, Melbourne, West Australian, and Queensland Symphony Orchestras, as well as the Dresden Sinfoniker in Europe. Most recently, Taikoz, Riley Lee and Kaoru Watanabe were featured soloists with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, performing their own works in arrangements for the ensemble and orchestra, culminating in a commissioned work for the Taikoz ensemble by Lachlan Skipworth, The Breath Of Thunder.
Taikoz has also enjoyed performing on major outdoor festival stages, including the WOMADs of New Zealand and Adelaide, Kobe’s Kaikyousai Festival and the taiko festival Otaiko Hibike in Ota, Japan.
Co-founders Ian Cleworth and Riley Lee have both been awarded the Japanese Foreign Minister’s Commendation for their contributions towards promoting friendship and goodwill between Australia and Japan.
__________________________________________________________________________
AN OVERVIEW OF TAIKOZ'S HISTORY
- Over thirty original works by ensemble members for taiko, featuring such instruments as shakuhachi, shinobue, nohkan, koto, voice, percussion, marimba, drum set, saxophone, guitar and didgeridoo
- New works for taiko and other instruments by distinguished composers Michael Askill, Gerard Brophy, Timothy Constable, Sandy Evans, Graeme Koehne, Karlin Love, Andrea Molino, David Pye, Lachlan Skipworth, Philip South, Yunyu
- Major collaborations:
Belloo Creative in Sand
Waangenga Blanco and Ensemble Offspring in Coming Together
Sydney Improvisers Composers Kollektiv Orchestra (SICKO) in Intermode
Anandavalli and Lingalayam in Chi Udaka
Phoenix Central Park in Toward the Rain (Film)
Chieko Kojima and Riley Lee in The Beauty Of 8
Lachlan Skipworth, Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Riley Lee and Kaoru Watanabe in The Breath of Thunder
Kaoru Watanabe in Future Directions
Satsuki Odamura in Crimson Sky
Kodo in Kodo and Taikoz In Concert
150 taiko players, drummers and percussionists in Fireworks
John Bell and The Bell Shakespeare Company in William Shakespeare's Pericles
Senior members of Kodo – Yoshikazu Fujimoto, Chieko Kojima, Yoko Fujimoto, Motofumi Yamaguchi and Eiichi Saito – in Kodo and Taikoz In Concert
Eitetsu Hayashi and Fuun no Kai in Nature’s Rhythm (Australia) and at the National Theatre (Japan)
Director and choreographer Meryl Tankard in Kaidan: A Ghost Story
Wadaiko Matsumuragumi (Australia and Japan)
- International performances:
Chi Udaka, Esplanade Theatres, Singapore (2024)
Chi Udaka, Chennai, Visakhapatnam, Hyderabad, Mumbai (2016)
Womad, New Plymouth, New Zealand (2015)
World Taiko Gathering, Los Angeles USA (2014)
Abu Dhabi, UAE (2013)
Taipei, Kaohsiung, Taichung and Tainan, Taiwan (2011)
Kitakami Michinoku Geinou Matsuri, Japan (2010)
National Theatre of Japan, Tokyo, Japan (2008)
Winners, Centre Pompidou, Paris, France (2006)
Hibike Festival, Echizen, Japan (2005)
Bangkok International Music Festival, Thailand (2004)
Kaikyōsai Festival, Kobe, Japan (2001)
- Performances with orchestra:
Breath Of Thunder by Lachlan Skipworth with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Riley Lee, shakuhachi, Kaoru Watanabe, shinobue, and conductor Gerard Solonga (2018)
Mono-Prism by Maki Ishii with the Sydney, Melbourne, West Australian and Queensland Symphony Orchestras, and conductors Hiroyuki Iwaki, Ryusuke Numajiri and David Porcilijn (1999, 2000, 2003, 2004, 2009, 2009, 2010)
Book Of Clouds by Gerard Brophy with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Riley Lee, shakuhachi and Synergy Percussion conducted by Tadaaki Otaka (2008) (World Premiere Work)
Winners by Andrea Molino and the Queensland Symphony at the Brisbane Festival, and Dresden Sinfoniker at the Pompidou Centre, Paris, conducted by the composer (2006) (World Premiere Work)
- Major tours of regional Australia:
Side By Side (2023)
The Beauty Of 8 (2019)
Chi Udaka (2016)
Crimson Sky (2014)
Shifting Sand (2012)
Blessings Of The Earth (2010)
The Gathering (2008)
Da Ha-Pounding Wave (2006)
- Awards:
Japanese Foreign Minister’s Commendation for contribution towards promoting friendship and goodwill between Australia and Japan / Ian Cleworth and Riley Lee (2016)
Limelight ‘Best New Composition Award’ for Kaidan: A Ghost Story (2007)
Sidney Myer Performing Arts Award in recognition of Taikoz's commitment to Australian music (2006)
Drover Award for regional touring and education (2005)
___________________________________________________
TAIKOZ ARTISTS and ATA TEACHERS
Ian Cleworth
TAIKOZ ARTISTS and ATA TEACHERS
Ian Cleworth
A pioneering figure in Australian taiko, Ian Cleworth is renowned for his dynamic artistry and deep commitment to the percussive arts. In the 1980s, after graduating with Honours in Percussion from the University of Adelaide, Ian embarked on a transformative journey, studying taiko under the guidance of Sen Amano in Yamanashi Prefecture. Two decades later, he refined his craft with the legendary Eitetsu Hayashi, even performing with Hayashi Sama and his ensemble Fuun no Kai at the prestigious Tokyo Summer Festival.
In 1997, Ian co-founded Taikoz with shakuhachi grandmaster Riley Lee, transitioning to full-time taiko performance in 2005 after distinguished tenures as Principal Percussionist with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra and the innovative percussion group Synergy. As a performer, Ian has collaborated with a constellation of esteemed artists, including choreographer Anandavalli, koto virtuosi Kazue Sawai and Satsuki Odamura, and composers Sandy Evans, Gerard Brophy, and Lachlan Skipworth. His international career has seen him appear on such iconic stages as Carnegie Hall, Amsterdam’s Concertgebouw, the Centre Pompidou, Suntory Hall, the Royal Albert Hall, and the Sydney Opera House.
A prolific composer, Ian has created works for the Bell Shakespeare Company, Sandy Evans, Riley Lee, and choreographers Meryl Tankard and Anandavalli. His contributions to cultural exchange were honoured with the Japanese Foreign Minister’s Commendation for fostering friendship and goodwill between Australia and Japan. Ian is also a keen Kendoka and member of the Sydney Kendo Club.
Kerryn Joyce
Kerryn Joyce, a vibrant and expressive force in Taikoz since 2001, is celebrated for her electrifying performances as a taiko soloist, dancer, singer, and shinobue player. Her artistry has illuminated Australia’s major concert halls, including the Sydney Opera House, and taken her to international stages such as Japan’s National Theatre and Paris’s Centre Pompidou. Kerryn’s passion for Japanese folk traditions led her to study dance with Kodo’s Chieko Kojima and Ainu folk songs with Yoko Fujimoto, also of Kodo.
A graduate of the University of Queensland and the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University, Kerryn balances her Taikoz commitments with performances in the Opera Australia Orchestra and, from 2026, as percussionist for The Lion King. For over two decades, she has been a driving force in taiko education, shaping the Australian Taiko Academy’s curriculum and inspiring students through workshops and concerts. Kerryn’s dedication extends to her work as an accredited Pilates instructor, embodying the discipline and energy she brings to the stage.
Sophia Ang
Sophia Ang
Sophia Ang has been a dynamic presence in Taikoz since 2014, following her successful audition for the Taikoz Individual Development Program in 2011. With Taikoz, she has performed across Australia’s premier venues, including the Sydney Opera House, and toured internationally, most notably in India with Chi Udaka and at the World Taiko Gathering in the USA.
Sophia’s artistic journey is marked by her engagement with Japanese traditions – as a member of the Sydney Onikenbai Club, she regularly travels to Japan to study with the Iwasaki Onikenbai Hozonkai, masters of the dance-music form Onikenbai, and has performed at the Kitakami Michinoku Geinou Matsuri.
A graduate of Melbourne University, Sophia’s versatility as a percussionist has seen her perform with the Australian Youth Orchestra, the Sydney Symphony Sinfonia, and the Opera Australia Orchestra. She remains actively involved in teaching taiko at the Australian Taiko Academy, sharing her passion and expertise with the next generation.
Ryuji Hamada
Ryuji Hamada, a charismatic and versatile Taikoz Artist since 2016, brings the spirit of his native Yokohama to the world stage. Known for his powerful taiko solos, expressive shinobue playing, and dynamic dance, Ryuji has been a central figure in Taikoz’s most ambitious projects, including Taikoz Meets Shogo Yoshii, Natural Forces, and Chi Udaka – the latter celebrated at the Sydney Opera House’s 50th Anniversary and Singapore’s Esplanade Theatre.
As a member of the Sydney Onikenbai Club, Ryuji regularly travels to Japan to study with the Iwasaki Onikenbai Hozonkai, masters of the dance-music form Onikenbai, and has performed at the Kitakami Michinoku Geinou Matsuri.
In 2024, Ryuji toured Europe with composer Yunyu, presenting When the Rain God Sings at NIME in Utrecht and Ars Electronica in Linz.
Silvana Imperatori
Silvana Imperatori
Silvana Imperatori, a Norwegian-born, Sydney-based artist, has been a Taikoz Artist since 2021. Specializing in Japanese instruments – taiko, koto, and shinobue – Silvana is also trained in Japanese vocal traditions and folk performance. Her artistic journey began in Oslo, where she studied Drama and Theatre Communication before immersing herself in Japanese performing arts.
In 2012, Silvana joined the acclaimed taiko group Matsuriza at Walt Disney World in Florida. She later moved to Kyoto, studying Japanese language and training with the taiko ensemble Wadaiko Shien. In 2016, she was selected as a Kodo Apprentice, undergoing rigorous training on Sado Island. After graduating in 2018, Silvana relocated to Sydney, where she completed a degree in Performing Arts Industries and joined Taikoz, continuing her studies in koto with master Satsuki Odamura.
Haruka Kunimune
Haruka Kunimune, a Taikoz Artist since 2023, brings the rich traditions of her Japanese heritage to the Australian stage. Born and raised in Chiba, Haruka began her taiko journey in Nara with Nakoza, an ensemble rooted in the Osuwa style. After moving to Sydney in 2018, she joined the Taikoz Individual Development Program, expanding her skills in taiko, shinobue, singing, and Onikenbai.
Haruka has since performed in major Taikoz concerts, collaborating with world-renowned artists and contributing to innovative projects like Water Rhythms, a new schools performance initiative developed with Musica Viva Australia. As a member of the Sydney Onikenbai Club, Haruka regularly travels to Japan to study with the Iwasaki Onikenbai Hozonkai, masters of the dance-music form Onikenbai, and has performed at the Kitakami Michinoku Geinou Matsuri.
Beyond performing, she is a dedicated educator, teaching taiko at the Australian Taiko Academy and in schools, nurturing young musicians with her infectious enthusiasm.
Nerida (Ned) Wu
Nerida (Ned) Wu
Nerida (Ned) Wu, a Taikoz Artist since 2023, is a powerhouse of rhythm and energy. Ned’s journey with Taikoz began in 2017 with the Individual Development Program, leading to her role as a Taikoz Associate Player and headline performances at WOMADelaide, and as a cast member of Chi Udaka at The Sydney Opera House and Singapore’s Esplanade Theatres.
A sought-after drum-set player, Ned’s musical versatility spans genres from folk to punk, with tours across Europe, the UK, USA, Canada, Japan, and Australia. She is also a member of the all-female percussion group Drummer Queens and has performed with Dein Perry’s Tap Dogs.
‘You don’t just listen to this music. You see it and feel it, too. Totally compelling.’
Sydney Morning Herald
‘It’s the seeing that turns an exhilarating aural experience into something close to dance theatre with a spiritual bent. The virtuosity is thrilling but even better is the sense of pure joy the players transmit.’
Weekend Australian
Sydney Morning Herald
‘It’s the seeing that turns an exhilarating aural experience into something close to dance theatre with a spiritual bent. The virtuosity is thrilling but even better is the sense of pure joy the players transmit.’
Weekend Australian
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What's On
CATHARSIS | Taikoz at NIDA Playhouse
17 Apr to 18 Apr 2026
Ryuji, Haruka, Silvana and Ian will take the stage to present CATHARSIS – a 75-minute program featuring the latest scores from Ian combined...
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What's On
CATHARSIS | Taikoz at NIDA Playhouse
17 Apr to 18 Apr 2026
Ryuji, Haruka, Silvana and Ian will take the stage to present CATHARSIS – a 75-minute program featuring the latest scores from Ian combined...
Taikoz Artists
About Taikoz
ABOUT TAIKOZ
Ian Cleworth and Daishihan Riley Lee formed Taikoz in 1997. Over the past twenty-nine years, the group has developed a large, original repertoire of works and productions that has seen them perform on the stages of Australia's finest concert halls, in the theatres of regional Australia, and in leading theatres and concert halls worldwide.
Ian Cleworth and Daishihan Riley Lee formed Taikoz in 1997. Over the past twenty-nine years, the group has developed a large, original repertoire of works and productions that has seen them perform on the stages of Australia's finest concert halls, in the theatres of regional Australia, and in leading theatres and concert halls worldwide.
Taikoz has performed numerous times in Japan, including at the illustrious National Theatre of Japan, as well as Paris’s Centre Pompidou, and arts festivals in Bangkok, Taiwan, New Zealand, and West Coast USA. A major international highlight was a five-city tour of India, which saw Chi Udaka – their collaboration with choreographer Anandavalli and Lingalayam Dance Company – receive wide critical acclaim. Chi Udaka was remounted in 2023 at the invitation of the Sydney Opera House to be a part of their month-long 50th anniversary celebrations, and again in 2024 for a season at Singapore’s Esplanade Theatres.
Esteemed collaborators include composers Sandy Evans, Yunyu, Karlin Love, Lachlan Skipworth, Gerard Brophy, Andrea Molino, and Michael Askill – and creative artists as diverse as John Bell and the Bell Shakespeare Company, taiko greats Eitetsu Hayashi, Yoshikazu Fujimoto, Chieko Kojima, and Shogo Yoshii, First Nations dancer Waangenga Blanco, art-music ensembles Synergy Percussion, Ensemble Offspring, and the Sydney Improvisers Composers Kollektiv Orchestra, as well as distinguished choreographers Meryl Tankard and Anandavalli. The group has also collaborated with the world-renowned performing arts ensemble Kodo on two nation-wide tours of Australia. Taikoz’s latest major collaboration was with Belloo Creative, which produced Sand – a theatre work for dance, hi-tech visual imagery and original music by Ian Cleworth, Xuri and Anton Lock that centred on a First Nations culturally informed story by playwright Katherine Lyall-Watson.
Taikoz has appeared in concerto works with major orchestras, including thirteen performances of Maki Ishii's ground-breaking Mono-Prism, and premiere performances of Gerard Brophy's Book Of Clouds and Andrea Molino's multi-media Winners, which premiered at the Brisbane Festival and Paris’s Pompidou Centre.
Collaborating orchestras are the Sydney, Melbourne, West Australian, and Queensland Symphony Orchestras, as well as the Dresden Sinfoniker in Europe. Most recently, Taikoz, Riley Lee and Kaoru Watanabe were featured soloists with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, performing their own works in arrangements for the ensemble and orchestra, culminating in a commissioned work for the Taikoz ensemble by Lachlan Skipworth, The Breath Of Thunder.
Collaborating orchestras are the Sydney, Melbourne, West Australian, and Queensland Symphony Orchestras, as well as the Dresden Sinfoniker in Europe. Most recently, Taikoz, Riley Lee and Kaoru Watanabe were featured soloists with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, performing their own works in arrangements for the ensemble and orchestra, culminating in a commissioned work for the Taikoz ensemble by Lachlan Skipworth, The Breath Of Thunder.
Taikoz has also enjoyed performing on major outdoor festival stages, including the WOMADs of New Zealand and Adelaide, Kobe’s Kaikyousai Festival and the taiko festival Otaiko Hibike in Ota, Japan.
Co-founders Ian Cleworth and Riley Lee have both been awarded the Japanese Foreign Minister’s Commendation for their contributions towards promoting friendship and goodwill between Australia and Japan.
__________________________________________________________________________
AN OVERVIEW OF TAIKOZ'S HISTORY
- Over thirty original works by ensemble members for taiko, featuring such instruments as shakuhachi, shinobue, nohkan, koto, voice, percussion, marimba, drum set, saxophone, guitar and didgeridoo
- New works for taiko and other instruments by distinguished composers Michael Askill, Gerard Brophy, Timothy Constable, Sandy Evans, Graeme Koehne, Karlin Love, Andrea Molino, David Pye, Lachlan Skipworth, Philip South, Yunyu
- Major collaborations:
Belloo Creative in Sand
Waangenga Blanco and Ensemble Offspring in Coming Together
Sydney Improvisers Composers Kollektiv Orchestra (SICKO) in Intermode
Anandavalli and Lingalayam in Chi Udaka
Phoenix Central Park in Toward the Rain (Film)
Chieko Kojima and Riley Lee in The Beauty Of 8
Lachlan Skipworth, Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Riley Lee and Kaoru Watanabe in The Breath of Thunder
Kaoru Watanabe in Future Directions
Satsuki Odamura in Crimson Sky
Kodo in Kodo and Taikoz In Concert
150 taiko players, drummers and percussionists in Fireworks
John Bell and The Bell Shakespeare Company in William Shakespeare's Pericles
Senior members of Kodo – Yoshikazu Fujimoto, Chieko Kojima, Yoko Fujimoto, Motofumi Yamaguchi and Eiichi Saito – in Kodo and Taikoz In Concert
Eitetsu Hayashi and Fuun no Kai in Nature’s Rhythm (Australia) and at the National Theatre (Japan)
Director and choreographer Meryl Tankard in Kaidan: A Ghost Story
Wadaiko Matsumuragumi (Australia and Japan)
- International performances:
Chi Udaka, Esplanade Theatres, Singapore (2024)
Chi Udaka, Chennai, Visakhapatnam, Hyderabad, Mumbai (2016)
Womad, New Plymouth, New Zealand (2015)
World Taiko Gathering, Los Angeles USA (2014)
Abu Dhabi, UAE (2013)
Taipei, Kaohsiung, Taichung and Tainan, Taiwan (2011)
Kitakami Michinoku Geinou Matsuri, Japan (2010)
National Theatre of Japan, Tokyo, Japan (2008)
Winners, Centre Pompidou, Paris, France (2006)
Hibike Festival, Echizen, Japan (2005)
Bangkok International Music Festival, Thailand (2004)
Kaikyōsai Festival, Kobe, Japan (2001)
- Performances with orchestra:
Breath Of Thunder by Lachlan Skipworth with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, Riley Lee, shakuhachi, Kaoru Watanabe, shinobue, and conductor Gerard Solonga (2018)
Mono-Prism by Maki Ishii with the Sydney, Melbourne, West Australian and Queensland Symphony Orchestras, and conductors Hiroyuki Iwaki, Ryusuke Numajiri and David Porcilijn (1999, 2000, 2003, 2004, 2009, 2009, 2010)
Book Of Clouds by Gerard Brophy with the Melbourne Symphony Orchestra, Riley Lee, shakuhachi and Synergy Percussion conducted by Tadaaki Otaka (2008) (World Premiere Work)
Winners by Andrea Molino and the Queensland Symphony at the Brisbane Festival, and Dresden Sinfoniker at the Pompidou Centre, Paris, conducted by the composer (2006) (World Premiere Work)
- Major tours of regional Australia:
Side By Side (2023)
The Beauty Of 8 (2019)
Chi Udaka (2016)
Crimson Sky (2014)
Shifting Sand (2012)
Blessings Of The Earth (2010)
The Gathering (2008)
Da Ha-Pounding Wave (2006)
- Awards:
Japanese Foreign Minister’s Commendation for contribution towards promoting friendship and goodwill between Australia and Japan / Ian Cleworth and Riley Lee (2016)
Limelight ‘Best New Composition Award’ for Kaidan: A Ghost Story (2007)
Sidney Myer Performing Arts Award in recognition of Taikoz's commitment to Australian music (2006)
Drover Award for regional touring and education (2005)
___________________________________________________
TAIKOZ ARTISTS and ATA TEACHERS
Ian Cleworth
TAIKOZ ARTISTS and ATA TEACHERS
Ian Cleworth
A pioneering figure in Australian taiko, Ian Cleworth is renowned for his dynamic artistry and deep commitment to the percussive arts. In the 1980s, after graduating with Honours in Percussion from the University of Adelaide, Ian embarked on a transformative journey, studying taiko under the guidance of Sen Amano in Yamanashi Prefecture. Two decades later, he refined his craft with the legendary Eitetsu Hayashi, even performing with Hayashi Sama and his ensemble Fuun no Kai at the prestigious Tokyo Summer Festival.
In 1997, Ian co-founded Taikoz with shakuhachi grandmaster Riley Lee, transitioning to full-time taiko performance in 2005 after distinguished tenures as Principal Percussionist with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra and the innovative percussion group Synergy. As a performer, Ian has collaborated with a constellation of esteemed artists, including choreographer Anandavalli, koto virtuosi Kazue Sawai and Satsuki Odamura, and composers Sandy Evans, Gerard Brophy, and Lachlan Skipworth. His international career has seen him appear on such iconic stages as Carnegie Hall, Amsterdam’s Concertgebouw, the Centre Pompidou, Suntory Hall, the Royal Albert Hall, and the Sydney Opera House.
A prolific composer, Ian has created works for the Bell Shakespeare Company, Sandy Evans, Riley Lee, and choreographers Meryl Tankard and Anandavalli. His contributions to cultural exchange were honoured with the Japanese Foreign Minister’s Commendation for fostering friendship and goodwill between Australia and Japan. Ian is also a keen Kendoka and member of the Sydney Kendo Club.
Kerryn Joyce
Kerryn Joyce, a vibrant and expressive force in Taikoz since 2001, is celebrated for her electrifying performances as a taiko soloist, dancer, singer, and shinobue player. Her artistry has illuminated Australia’s major concert halls, including the Sydney Opera House, and taken her to international stages such as Japan’s National Theatre and Paris’s Centre Pompidou. Kerryn’s passion for Japanese folk traditions led her to study dance with Kodo’s Chieko Kojima and Ainu folk songs with Yoko Fujimoto, also of Kodo.
A graduate of the University of Queensland and the Queensland Conservatorium Griffith University, Kerryn balances her Taikoz commitments with performances in the Opera Australia Orchestra and, from 2026, as percussionist for The Lion King. For over two decades, she has been a driving force in taiko education, shaping the Australian Taiko Academy’s curriculum and inspiring students through workshops and concerts. Kerryn’s dedication extends to her work as an accredited Pilates instructor, embodying the discipline and energy she brings to the stage.
Sophia Ang
Sophia Ang
Sophia Ang has been a dynamic presence in Taikoz since 2014, following her successful audition for the Taikoz Individual Development Program in 2011. With Taikoz, she has performed across Australia’s premier venues, including the Sydney Opera House, and toured internationally, most notably in India with Chi Udaka and at the World Taiko Gathering in the USA.
Sophia’s artistic journey is marked by her engagement with Japanese traditions – as a member of the Sydney Onikenbai Club, she regularly travels to Japan to study with the Iwasaki Onikenbai Hozonkai, masters of the dance-music form Onikenbai, and has performed at the Kitakami Michinoku Geinou Matsuri.
A graduate of Melbourne University, Sophia’s versatility as a percussionist has seen her perform with the Australian Youth Orchestra, the Sydney Symphony Sinfonia, and the Opera Australia Orchestra. She remains actively involved in teaching taiko at the Australian Taiko Academy, sharing her passion and expertise with the next generation.
Ryuji Hamada
Ryuji Hamada, a charismatic and versatile Taikoz Artist since 2016, brings the spirit of his native Yokohama to the world stage. Known for his powerful taiko solos, expressive shinobue playing, and dynamic dance, Ryuji has been a central figure in Taikoz’s most ambitious projects, including Taikoz Meets Shogo Yoshii, Natural Forces, and Chi Udaka – the latter celebrated at the Sydney Opera House’s 50th Anniversary and Singapore’s Esplanade Theatre.
As a member of the Sydney Onikenbai Club, Ryuji regularly travels to Japan to study with the Iwasaki Onikenbai Hozonkai, masters of the dance-music form Onikenbai, and has performed at the Kitakami Michinoku Geinou Matsuri.
In 2024, Ryuji toured Europe with composer Yunyu, presenting When the Rain God Sings at NIME in Utrecht and Ars Electronica in Linz.
Silvana Imperatori
Silvana Imperatori
Silvana Imperatori, a Norwegian-born, Sydney-based artist, has been a Taikoz Artist since 2021. Specializing in Japanese instruments – taiko, koto, and shinobue – Silvana is also trained in Japanese vocal traditions and folk performance. Her artistic journey began in Oslo, where she studied Drama and Theatre Communication before immersing herself in Japanese performing arts.
In 2012, Silvana joined the acclaimed taiko group Matsuriza at Walt Disney World in Florida. She later moved to Kyoto, studying Japanese language and training with the taiko ensemble Wadaiko Shien. In 2016, she was selected as a Kodo Apprentice, undergoing rigorous training on Sado Island. After graduating in 2018, Silvana relocated to Sydney, where she completed a degree in Performing Arts Industries and joined Taikoz, continuing her studies in koto with master Satsuki Odamura.
Haruka Kunimune
Haruka Kunimune, a Taikoz Artist since 2023, brings the rich traditions of her Japanese heritage to the Australian stage. Born and raised in Chiba, Haruka began her taiko journey in Nara with Nakoza, an ensemble rooted in the Osuwa style. After moving to Sydney in 2018, she joined the Taikoz Individual Development Program, expanding her skills in taiko, shinobue, singing, and Onikenbai.
Haruka has since performed in major Taikoz concerts, collaborating with world-renowned artists and contributing to innovative projects like Water Rhythms, a new schools performance initiative developed with Musica Viva Australia. As a member of the Sydney Onikenbai Club, Haruka regularly travels to Japan to study with the Iwasaki Onikenbai Hozonkai, masters of the dance-music form Onikenbai, and has performed at the Kitakami Michinoku Geinou Matsuri.
Beyond performing, she is a dedicated educator, teaching taiko at the Australian Taiko Academy and in schools, nurturing young musicians with her infectious enthusiasm.
Nerida (Ned) Wu
Nerida (Ned) Wu
Nerida (Ned) Wu, a Taikoz Artist since 2023, is a powerhouse of rhythm and energy. Ned’s journey with Taikoz began in 2017 with the Individual Development Program, leading to her role as a Taikoz Associate Player and headline performances at WOMADelaide, and as a cast member of Chi Udaka at The Sydney Opera House and Singapore’s Esplanade Theatres.
A sought-after drum-set player, Ned’s musical versatility spans genres from folk to punk, with tours across Europe, the UK, USA, Canada, Japan, and Australia. She is also a member of the all-female percussion group Drummer Queens and has performed with Dein Perry’s Tap Dogs.
‘You don’t just listen to this music. You see it and feel it, too. Totally compelling.’
Sydney Morning Herald
‘It’s the seeing that turns an exhilarating aural experience into something close to dance theatre with a spiritual bent. The virtuosity is thrilling but even better is the sense of pure joy the players transmit.’
Weekend Australian
Sydney Morning Herald
‘It’s the seeing that turns an exhilarating aural experience into something close to dance theatre with a spiritual bent. The virtuosity is thrilling but even better is the sense of pure joy the players transmit.’
Weekend Australian