Taiko Journey

Open Class
2024-06-03 18:00 - 19:00, 2024-06-10 18:00 - 19:00, 2024-06-17 18:00 - 19:00, 2024-06-24 18:00 - 19:00, 2024-07-01 18:00 - 19:00, 2024-07-08 18:00 - 19:00, 2024-07-15 18:00 - 19:00, 2024-07-22 18:00 - 19:00 (Europe/London) | The Kenn Centre, The Kenn Centre, Exeter Road, Kennford, Exeter, Exeter, Devon, EX6 7UE, United Kingdom
Open Class is a lovely opportunity to enjoy taiko – a meaningful, social, community activity that’s fun, active, accessible, affordable, and gives you time for yourself.
What to expect:
The class will start with a
5-minute fun warm-up
1o-minutes of drum skills
30-minutes rhythm & movement
10 minutes of drum-jam circle
5-minute cool-down
Everything is paced so that we are having fun, learning, and feeling great.
Is this session appropriate for me?
Yes! No experience is needed, and we aim to be as accessible as possible. This Open Class is for adults and children 9yrs+ if accompanied by a participating adult. If you have questions about accessibility, email or call and we’ll do our best to make sure you can join in.
How much does it cost?
Still £3.50 per person as a drop-in rate.
Visit our Taiko Shop for pre-pay cards that makes this session even more affordable.
We understand that many of us are balancing unpredictable work and family lives, and we want to make taiko as accessible as possible, so if the financial exchange is unviable for you, let us know. We can arrange a skill-swap, or exchange of goods (home-grown veggies or home-made produce, or something else that has come from the heart is always welcome) – we know that things can get hard and that drumming time is a precious and valuable time for us to connect with ourselves, our communities, and to feel good. No-one should have to go without that.
Can we come and try it out?
YES! This is a drop-in class where every week is something different, so you won’t feel like you’re joining part-way through a course.
What do we need to bring?
Everything you need is provided, including hearing protection for those who want it. You will be best to wear comfortable clothing and flexible shoes (or join those playing bare-foot), and bring a bottle of water as you might feel you need it.
Can my child join in without me?
We ask that all children are accompanied by a paying and playing adult when they begin – this is mostly to encourage adults to have fun too, but also to ensure that the adult to child ratio works for everyone taking part.

Repertoire Class
2024-06-03 19:00 - 20:30, 2024-06-10 19:00 - 20:30, 2024-06-17 19:00 - 20:30, 2024-06-24 19:00 - 20:30, 2024-07-01 19:00 - 20:30, 2024-07-08 19:00 - 20:30, 2024-07-15 19:00 - 20:30, 2024-07-22 19:00 - 20:30 | The Kenn Centre, The Kenn Centre, Exeter Road, Kennford, Exeter, Exeter, Devon, EX6 7UE, United Kingdom
Repertoire Classes focus on learning taiko songs, giving an experience of playing in a taiko group. We will learn a new song every few weeks, and focus on kata and technique a little more here than in the Open Class.
What to expect?

A short physical warm up, and a drum-skills session. (20 mins)
Learning a piece of taiko repertoire, taught with a beginners heart and mind (even if you know it, there is always another position to play in, and something new to learn). (40 mins)
Here the class will split:
– new players will go to a break-out room with an instructor to continue learning while others will run-through of previously-learned repertoire (30 mins).

Who is it for?
This session is for people who want to learn taiko songs and play in a taiko group.
Where is it?
This class is held on the outskirts of Exeter, in the Kenn Centre, Kennford, just off the A38, minutes away from Exeter. We’re in the main hall, so just park in one of the many free parking spaces and come and find us! More details of public transport etc on the Kenn Centre website.
What do I need to bring?
For your first few sessions we can provide everything you need. Most players like to buy their own bachi (drum sticks) after a while, available from Taiko Journey. Also, most want to take responsibility for their own hearing protection. We can always help point you in the right direction when it comes to this.
Bring a snack / drink to keep your energy up. You might want to bring a notebook so that you can keep notes on the songs we learn.
What do we pay?
We want to make taiko as accessible to as wide a range of people as possible and so for the first few months of 2024 we are trialling a sliding scale payment system. Basic rate is £13, Supporting rate £16, Supported rate £6. Please read the definitions below to ensure you select the appropriate rate when booking.
Visit our Taiko Shop for pre-pay cards that makes this session even more affordable.

Sliding scales work best when there are clear guidelines and when users are honest about their usage. Some organisations require proof of wealth or income to use certain tiers of the sliding scale. This sliding scale is intentionally honour – based and not income – based. Please read the guidelines for our various tiers below before purchasing and thanks for your support!
​Supporting:This tier is for you if you have access to financial security on your own or through your family. If you own property, have personal savings, comfortably meet your basic needs through your employment or can comfortably not work, and can partake in activities like multiple wellness classes, purchase many wants throughout the year or travel by plane for leisure trips. This Supporting level supports members who do not have access to financial resources for leisure activities and need to utilize the Supported tier.
​Basic:The price the practitioner would charge all members in the absence of a sliding scale. This rate is for those who do not honestly find themselves reflected in either of the other tier descriptions and who are not in a place to pay the Supporting price.
​Supported:Supported classes are for those for whom it is a struggle to maintain access to basic needs such as housing, food, healthcare, child care, or are financially debilitated by debt, if budgeting for our classes means cutting into funds for housing, food, etc. This level is also for those who have experienced generational and/or systemic disadvantage in accessing resources.

This sliding scale is inspired by Ruth Janssen of Exe Movement, who in turn was inspired by Annie Zylstra from Heartland Harmony, both also working with the arts in communities. My hope is that it works out and we can all have access to things that make us happy.

2024-07-04 16:00 - 2024-07-07 16:00 | On the Hill, Oxen Park Farm, Lower Ashton, Exeter, Select a State or Province:, EX6 7QW, United Kingdom
Drum Up the Sun, a women’s retreat
​​For women who feel drawn to slow down, who yearn to rest and reflect in close connection to the land and kindred spirits, and who wish to explore who they are and their creativity in a supportive and caring environment.

​Together we will…
– Engage in a daily embodiment practice
– Experience powerful breathwork
– Explore sound and rhythm through drumming, movement and voice
– Embrace our vulnerability, offering our self-discoveries and insights
– Discover our collective response to the sun
A Taiko Journey / On the Hill collaboration offering three nights and four days of drumming, movement, breathwork and time in nature, on land intentionally created to offer wholehearted experience.
Why attend?
​– To relish in respite, leaving behind demands on your time, reliance on technology, and the pressures of everyday life
– To give yourself permission to be cared for, living simply on the land
– To calm your body and mind in deep, luxurious, dreamful rest and awaken your natural rhythms
– To offer yourself an experience that may act as a resource once you return to the busyness of every day

Retreat facilitators

​Friends for more than 13 years, Tina and HJ quickly found common ground as natural leaders, collaborators, teachers and nurturers. Together they are able to utilise their innate ability to create a trusted, safe and supportive environment that allows for powerful personal transformation in the most gentle and kind way.

​Tina Sharman is a director and facilitator at On the Hill. Here she creates spaces for people to experience beauty and the possibility of becoming more connected to themselves, to each other and to life. As an accredited practitioner, Tina will be offering breathwork on this retreat. There are possible contraindications or points of discussion and consideration for this practice, which can be clarified when booking.
Hannah-Jasmine Brunskill is the founder and director of Taiko Journey with 15 years of experience teaching, performing, and creating connection through powerful taiko (Japanese drum) experiences. Hannah is passionate about us responding to what calls our hearts and making strong those threads that bring us back into connection with ourselves.
​About your stay

​The facility at the farm in the idyllic Teign Valley in South Devon has been lovingly cared for and intentionally created for you to feel at home and sink into the beauty of both a natural and beautifully gardened environment. Learn more about the farm.

​
Meals

All meals are vegetarian or vegan, making use of whatever is available from the garden. We will do our best to accommodate dietary sensitivities and allergies.
​Accommodation
– Shared bell tents with comfortable mattresses
– Option of sleeping under the stars in bivvy bags
– Compost toilets
– Hot showers

What to bring
– Your own bedding – pillow, sheet, sleeping bag or duvet.
(we do have bedding available to hire for a small fee – please let us know when booking if this is required)
– Your own personal tent if you prefer to sleep alone
– Toiletries
– Torch
– Warm layers, waterproofs, wellies, sturdy footwear and slippers/warm socks
Timings
We will welcome people from 4pm on Thursday 4th July, and waving people off home from 2pm Sunday 7th July.
​Accessibility
Please contact us if a short but steep walk would prohibit you from attending.
​Pay in Full or in Instalments
£380 paid in full or in instalments (£140 to be paid initially, £12o to be paid by 13th June, £120 to be paid by 1st July).
If you would like to pay via BACS bank transfer, please select that as an option when booking, and you will be sent the BACS details via email.
Early bird tickets now passed – £335.
A few words from a taster day offering similar experiences:
“My experience of the weekend exceeded my expectations. The people, and the place, have such a generosity of spirit and feelings of joyfulness. I left with my heart, soul (and belly) full, as if I’d been touched by magic. Thank you both for reminding me to feel the grass between my toes.”

Taiko Beats Workshop - Part 1 of 2
2024-07-29 18:30 - 20:30 | The Kenn Centre, The Kenn Centre, Exeter Road, Kennford, Exeter, Exeter, Devon, EX6 7UE, United Kingdom
Taiko Workshop for players with experience, learning a new song – part 1 of 2.
The exchange for this workshop is on a sliding scale, which works best when there are clear guidelines and when users are honest about their usage. Some organisations require proof of wealth or income to use certain tiers of the sliding scale. This sliding scale is intentionally honour – based and not income – based. Please read the guidelines for our various tiers below before purchasing and thanks for your support.

​Supporting:This tier is for you if you have access to financial security on your own or through your family. If you own property, have personal savings, comfortably meet your basic needs through your employment or can comfortably not work, and can partake in activities like multiple wellness classes, purchase many wants throughout the year or travel by plane for leisure trips. This Supporting level supports members who do not have access to financial resources for leisure activities and need to utilize the Supported tier.
​Basic:The price the practitioner would charge all members in the absence of a sliding scale. This rate is for those who do not honestly find themselves reflected in either of the other tier descriptions and who are not in a place to pay the Supporting price.
​Supported:Supported classes are for those for whom it is a struggle to maintain access to basic needs such as housing, food, healthcare, child care, or are financially debilitated by debt, if budgeting for our classes means cutting into funds for housing, food, etc. This level is also for those who have experienced generational and/or systemic disadvantage in accessing resources.

This sliding scale is inspired by Ruth Janssen of Exe Movement, who in turn was inspired by Annie Zylstra from Heartland Harmony, both also working with the arts in communities. My hope is that it works out and we can all have access to things that make us happy.

Zassō Session
2024-08-05 18:00 - 21:00, 2024-09-02 18:00 - 21:00 | The Kenn Centre, The Kenn Centre, Exeter Road, Kennford, Exeter, Exeter, Devon, EX6 7UE, United Kingdom
Zassō sessions are for players interested in learning, co-creating and rehearsing more advanced / experimental taiko songs for fun, and potentially for future gigs. If you’re interested in joining these, talk to HJ, Ruth or Sarah before booking.

The exchange for this workshop is on a sliding scale, which works best when there are clear guidelines and when users are honest about their usage. Some organisations require proof of wealth or income to use certain tiers of the sliding scale. This sliding scale is intentionally honour – based and not income – based. Please read the guidelines for our various tiers below before purchasing and thanks for your support.

​Supporting:This tier is for you if you have access to financial security on your own or through your family. If you own property, have personal savings, comfortably meet your basic needs through your employment or can comfortably not work, and can partake in activities like multiple wellness classes, purchase many wants throughout the year or travel by plane for leisure trips. This Supporting level supports members who do not have access to financial resources for leisure activities and need to utilize the Supported tier.
​Basic:The price the practitioner would charge all members in the absence of a sliding scale. This rate is for those who do not honestly find themselves reflected in either of the other tier descriptions and who are not in a place to pay the Supporting price.
​Supported:Supported classes are for those for whom it is a struggle to maintain access to basic needs such as housing, food, healthcare, child care, or are financially debilitated by debt, if budgeting for our classes means cutting into funds for housing, food, etc. This level is also for those who have experienced generational and/or systemic disadvantage in accessing resources.

This sliding scale is inspired by Ruth Janssen of Exe Movement, who in turn was inspired by Annie Zylstra from Heartland Harmony, both also working with the arts in communities. My hope is that it works out and we can all have access to things that make us happy.

Taiko Beats Workshop - Part 2 of 2
2024-08-12 18:30 - 20:30 | The Kenn Centre, The Kenn Centre, Exeter Road, Kennford, Exeter, Exeter, Devon, EX6 7UE, United Kingdom
Taiko Workshop for players with experience, learning a new song – part 2 of 2.
The exchange for this workshop is on a sliding scale, which works best when there are clear guidelines and when users are honest about their usage. Some organisations require proof of wealth or income to use certain tiers of the sliding scale. This sliding scale is intentionally honour – based and not income – based. Please read the guidelines for our various tiers below before purchasing and thanks for your support.

​Supporting:This tier is for you if you have access to financial security on your own or through your family. If you own property, have personal savings, comfortably meet your basic needs through your employment or can comfortably not work, and can partake in activities like multiple wellness classes, purchase many wants throughout the year or travel by plane for leisure trips. This Supporting level supports members who do not have access to financial resources for leisure activities and need to utilize the Supported tier.
​Basic:The price the practitioner would charge all members in the absence of a sliding scale. This rate is for those who do not honestly find themselves reflected in either of the other tier descriptions and who are not in a place to pay the Supporting price.
​Supported:Supported classes are for those for whom it is a struggle to maintain access to basic needs such as housing, food, healthcare, child care, or are financially debilitated by debt, if budgeting for our classes means cutting into funds for housing, food, etc. This level is also for those who have experienced generational and/or systemic disadvantage in accessing resources.

This sliding scale is inspired by Ruth Janssen of Exe Movement, who in turn was inspired by Annie Zylstra from Heartland Harmony, both also working with the arts in communities. My hope is that it works out and we can all have access to things that make us happy.

Big Beats
2024-09-09 17:00 - 17:45, 2024-09-16 17:00 - 17:45 | The Kenn Centre, The Kenn Centre, Exeter Road, Kennford, Exeter, Exeter, Devon, EX6 7UE, United Kingdom
A junior taiko class for children 5yrs+ and their accompanying adults.
Unlike other kids’ classes, this experience is for both adult and child to enjoy a meaningful, challenging, rewarding activity together. Some of our adult/child duos have been playing taiko with us for some years and now enjoy performing out in the community with us.
A 45-minute session of warm-up games, drum skills, full-bodied movement, teamwork games, and lots of fun. There will be a section of the session where you get to work with just your child, giving a new dynamic to your unique relationship with your child.
You can attend if you have more than one child in this age range – just add the sibling ticket to your initial adult/child duo ticket.
You can join at any time before October half term, as a one-off. After that we ask you to book every half-term.

Rising Beats
2024-09-09 17:00 - 17:45 | The Kenn Centre, The Kenn Centre, Exeter Road, Kennford, Exeter, Exeter, Devon, EX6 7UE, United Kingdom
A junior taiko class, open to children 9yrs+ with some taiko experience, where their accompanying adults are encouraged to stay and play.
A 45-minute session of warm-ups, drum skills, learning taiko rhythms and songs, and lots of fun.
You can pay as you go before October half term. After that we ask you to book every half-term.

Taiko Beats
2024-09-09 18:00 - 19:00 | The Kenn Centre, The Kenn Centre, Exeter Road, Kennford, Exeter, Exeter, Devon, EX6 7UE, United Kingdom
Taiko Beats is a learn taiko class for adults, where beginners are welcomed and experienced players can practice their skills and join-in learning a new taiko rhythm or song.
A 60-minute session starting with a short warm-up, moving on to some foundational technique practice, and focusses on learning a new taiko rhythm or song. There is always a part to play if you’re new to taiko, supported by our more experienced players that will give you the experience of playing with a taiko group. This class is about having fun, spending meaningful time for yourself, meeting people and learning something new.
This is a pay-as-you-go class, but you can also pay for a half-term at a time.
Sliding scales work best when there are clear guidelines and when users are honest about their usage. Some organisations require proof of wealth or income to use certain tiers of the sliding scale. This sliding scale is intentionally honour – based and not income – based. Please read the guidelines for our various tiers below before purchasing and thanks for your support!

​Supporting:This tier is for you if you have access to financial security on your own or through your family. If you own property, have personal savings, comfortably meet your basic needs through your employment or can comfortably not work, and can partake in activities like multiple wellness classes, purchase many wants throughout the year or travel by plane for leisure trips. This Supporting level supports members who do not have access to financial resources for leisure activities and need to utilize the Supported tier.
​Basic:The price the practitioner would charge all members in the absence of a sliding scale. This rate is for those who do not honestly find themselves reflected in either of the other tier descriptions and who are not in a place to pay the Supporting price.
​Supported:Supported classes are for those for whom it is a struggle to maintain access to basic needs such as housing, food, healthcare, child care, or are financially debilitated by debt, if budgeting for our classes means cutting into funds for housing, food, etc. This level is also for those who have experienced generational and/or systemic disadvantage in accessing resources.

This sliding scale is inspired by Ruth Janssen of Exe Movement, who in turn was inspired by Annie Zylstra from Heartland Harmony, both also working with the arts in communities. My hope is that it works out and we can all have access to things that make us happy.

Zassō
2024-09-09 19:30 - 21:00 | The Kenn Centre, The Kenn Centre, Exeter Road, Kennford, Exeter, Exeter, Devon, EX6 7UE, United Kingdom
A 90-minute session for taiko players interested in the Zassō project.
Paid-for half-termly…
Sliding scales work best when there are clear guidelines and when users are honest about their usage. Some organisations require proof of wealth or income to use certain tiers of the sliding scale. This sliding scale is intentionally honour – based and not income – based. Please read the guidelines for our various tiers below before purchasing and thanks for your support!

​Supporting:This tier is for you if you have access to financial security on your own or through your family. If you own property, have personal savings, comfortably meet your basic needs through your employment or can comfortably not work, and can partake in activities like multiple wellness classes, purchase many wants throughout the year or travel by plane for leisure trips. This Supporting level supports members who do not have access to financial resources for leisure activities and need to utilize the Supported tier.
​Basic:The price the practitioner would charge all members in the absence of a sliding scale. This rate is for those who do not honestly find themselves reflected in either of the other tier descriptions and who are not in a place to pay the Supporting price.
​Supported:Supported classes are for those for whom it is a struggle to maintain access to basic needs such as housing, food, healthcare, child care, or are financially debilitated by debt, if budgeting for our classes means cutting into funds for housing, food, etc. This level is also for those who have experienced generational and/or systemic disadvantage in accessing resources.

This sliding scale is inspired by Ruth Janssen of Exe Movement, who in turn was inspired by Annie Zylstra from Heartland Harmony, both also working with the arts in communities. My hope is that it works out and we can all have access to things that make us happy.

Taiko Beats
2024-09-16 18:00 - 19:00 | The Kenn Centre, The Kenn Centre, Exeter Road, Kennford, Exeter, Exeter, Devon, EX6 7UE, United Kingdom
Taiko Beats is a learn taiko class where adult beginners are welcomed and experienced players in the community can practice their skills and learn a new taiko rhythm or song.
A 60-minute session starting with a short warm-up, moving on to some foundational technique practice, and focusses on learning a new taiko rhythm or song. There is always a part to play if you’re new to taiko, supported by our more experienced players that will give you the experience of playing with a taiko group. This class is about having fun, spending meaningful time for yourself, meeting people and learning something new.
This is a pay-as-you-go class, but you can also pay for a half-term at a time.
Sliding scales work best when there are clear guidelines and when users are honest about their usage. Some organisations require proof of wealth or income to use certain tiers of the sliding scale. This sliding scale is intentionally honour – based and not income – based. Please read the guidelines for our various tiers below before purchasing and thanks for your support!

​Supporting:This tier is for you if you have access to financial security on your own or through your family. If you own property, have personal savings, comfortably meet your basic needs through your employment or can comfortably not work, and can partake in activities like multiple wellness classes, purchase many wants throughout the year or travel by plane for leisure trips. This Supporting level supports members who do not have access to financial resources for leisure activities and need to utilize the Supported tier.
​Basic:The price the practitioner would charge all members in the absence of a sliding scale. This rate is for those who do not honestly find themselves reflected in either of the other tier descriptions and who are not in a place to pay the Supporting price.
​Supported:Supported classes are for those for whom it is a struggle to maintain access to basic needs such as housing, food, healthcare, child care, or are financially debilitated by debt, if budgeting for our classes means cutting into funds for housing, food, etc. This level is also for those who have experienced generational and/or systemic disadvantage in accessing resources.

This sliding scale is inspired by Ruth Janssen of Exe Movement, who in turn was inspired by Annie Zylstra from Heartland Harmony, both also working with the arts in communities. My hope is that it works out and we can all have access to things that make us happy.

TJ Collective
2024-09-16 19:00 - 19:30 | The Kenn Centre, The Kenn Centre, Exeter Road, Kennford, Exeter, Exeter, Devon, EX6 7UE, United Kingdom
Taiko Journey Collective practice session, to keep songs ticking over so they don’t become lost in time!
This is paid-for by half-termly subscriptions…
