Taiko

Terry Nguyen  - Head Instructor, Taiko 

Master of Japanese Music: Over 20 years of experience in
Taiko (ensemble drumming) and Tsugaru Shamisen (percussive lute).

Academic Leadership: Lecturer at UC Riverside and Director
of the UCR Taiko Ensemble since 2017; Executive Director
of the non-profit TaikoMix.

World-Class Training: Mentored by pioneers like the late
Rev. Shuichi Thomas Kurai and virtuoso Hiromitsu Agatsuma.

Award-Winning Educator: Named to Yamaha’s “40 Under 40” (2022) for excellence in music education and a multi-year ACTA Grant recipient, multi-year Arts Connection Network grant recipient.

Artistic Director: Leads The Wagaku Collective, blending
shamisen and traditional instruments like shakuhachi and shinobue.

Photo credit: Stan Lim | UCR

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