
Dounen Daiko is the teen taiko performance group led by members of Nen Daiko. The group started in October 2017.
Most members join Dounen Daiko to build confidence and make friends. You get to play music and work out at the same time. Plus you get to perform at beautiful places. It's awesome to see how the members connect even though they are different ages and attend different schools.
We practice Sundays from 12:30-1:30pm at Ekoji Buddhist Temple. Most performances occur on Saturdays in March and April. We have performed at:
Thank you to all the parents and guardians who support our members, bringing them to practices and performances!
How Can I Become a Dounen Daiko Member?
Attend the beginner teen taiko workshop each September to give it a try! You should be at least 12 years old when you attend the workshop, which costs $20 ($30 if you'd like a t-shirt as well). You do not need any musical experience to come to the workshop or become a member of Dounen Daiko. To see the dates for upcoming workshops, visit our Performances calendar.
The program runs from October - mid-July. It costs $225 for the year. You cannot join mid-year because we learn the songs together. We understand teens have commitments that require absences during certain seasons, so this opportunity is best for teens who are available most Sundays from October to July.
For more info about Dounen Daiko, contact dounen.daiko@gmail.com.
(Header photo by Mike Gallan)
Most members join Dounen Daiko to build confidence and make friends. You get to play music and work out at the same time. Plus you get to perform at beautiful places. It's awesome to see how the members connect even though they are different ages and attend different schools.
We practice Sundays from 12:30-1:30pm at Ekoji Buddhist Temple. Most performances occur on Saturdays in March and April. We have performed at:
- Greenspring Retirement Community,
- Freedom Walk at the National Japanese American Memorial,
- Maker Faire NoVa, and
- Ekoji's annual Obon Festival.
Thank you to all the parents and guardians who support our members, bringing them to practices and performances!
How Can I Become a Dounen Daiko Member?
Attend the beginner teen taiko workshop each September to give it a try! You should be at least 12 years old when you attend the workshop, which costs $20 ($30 if you'd like a t-shirt as well). You do not need any musical experience to come to the workshop or become a member of Dounen Daiko. To see the dates for upcoming workshops, visit our Performances calendar.
The program runs from October - mid-July. It costs $225 for the year. You cannot join mid-year because we learn the songs together. We understand teens have commitments that require absences during certain seasons, so this opportunity is best for teens who are available most Sundays from October to July.
For more info about Dounen Daiko, contact dounen.daiko@gmail.com.
(Header photo by Mike Gallan)
Dounen Daiko Members and Facilitators, Past & Present

Alana - 2019-Present
Alyssa - 2017-Present
Brant - 2017-Present
Carla - 2017-Present
Emily - 2017-Present
Gabi - 2017-2019
Jack - 2017-2021
Kenji - 2019-2021
Kevin K. - 2017-2019
Kevin M. - 2018-2019
Lyna - 2017-Present
Marisa - 2017-2018
Masa - 2018-Present
Mel - 2019-Present
Ryan - 2018-Present
Trevor - 2017-2020
(current members are bolded)
Alyssa - 2017-Present
Brant - 2017-Present
Carla - 2017-Present
Emily - 2017-Present
Gabi - 2017-2019
Jack - 2017-2021
Kenji - 2019-2021
Kevin K. - 2017-2019
Kevin M. - 2018-2019
Lyna - 2017-Present
Marisa - 2017-2018
Masa - 2018-Present
Mel - 2019-Present
Ryan - 2018-Present
Trevor - 2017-2020
(current members are bolded)