YuNiOn - taiko drumming

YuNiOn is a taiko drumming performance for all occasions and will fill your event with energy and excitement combining the power and energy or the Japanese taiko drum with traditional grace and movement. The members of YuNiOn have spent many years honing their skills and this combined energy of the Japanese taiko drum and graceful movement is something only a few can do.

YuNiOn member, Masae Ikegawa is the only full-time Japanese female taiko drummer in Sydney and Graham Hilgendorf has been creating musical spectaculars for major events around Australia since 1990. Yu – blend Ni – two On – sound YuNiOn takes people on a fun, open and soulful journey through the high spirited energy of the Japanese taiko drum, blended with percussive sounds and festive song and dance. Conceived in Japan in 2005, YuNiOn has performed in Japan, Taiwan, New Zealand and Australia in concerts, corporate performances and workshops.

YuNiOn member Masae Ikegawa was born in Kagawa, Shikoku, Japan and at age 5 started playing taiko in a local kids group in Marugame city. By 1997 she had performed throughout the Kagawa and Kansai areas (Japan) as well as touring the USA. Masae arrived in Australia in 1999 and for 16 years travelled throughout Australia, South East Asia, Europe and America performing and giving workshops on her national drum, the taiko. In 2005 Masae decided to return to Japan to study more about the art form of wadaiko (traditional Japanese taiko drum) studying with many master players including Eitetsu Hayashi, Kyosuke Suzuki (Edo Bayashi), Takashi Kikuchi (Hachijo Daiko) and Akio Tsumura (Miyake Daiko).

In YuNiOn, Masae has been seeking her own voice as a taiko drummer, dancer, singer and performer as well as discovering the wonderful array of percussion sounds and how they blend with the taiko. She has a passion for the traditions of Japanese music, art and culture and continues to study these forms while also experimenting and discovering how she can present this music in a modern and new way. Masae’s understanding of the traditions of taiko and as the only professional Japanese female taiko drummer in Sydney has meant that she is an extremely popular performer and teacher not only in Australia but also internationally. She enjoys sharing her knowledge of taiko drumming while having fun and keeping the spirit alive – play together with fun and energy.

Graham Hilgendorf has studied various percussion instruments and styles of music from all over the world. As a taiko drummer he has travelled extensively performing throughout Australia including group concerto performances of Maki Ishii’s ‘Monoprism’ with Australia’s major Symphony Orchestras, toured to Thailand, performing in the Bangkok International Arts Festival, Malaysia, Singapore, Hong Kong, China, Taiwan and America and performed and given workshops throughout Japan. He also premiered a new work for jazz drum set and taiko ensemble. This work has since been performed in Hamer Hall (Melbourne), Sydney Recital Centre, Canberra Theatre, Brisbane Concert Hall, and Adelaide Festival Theatre and toured regional Australia for 3 months in 2014.

Since 1990 Graham has composed many works and directed major events across Australia. Highlights include the Sydney Festival First Night 2012 for 150 drummers, major corporate events for Toyota and AMEX and a music theatre work called Shifting Sand, which he composed, directed and choreographed. Graham also produced a 90 minute DVD film of Shifting Sand and toured this work extensively around Australia in 2012.

YuNiOn also offers a roving performance. This is one of its kind in Australia and is based on the traditional Japanese roving set style called “Chin-Don-Ya-style” as well as a large taiko ensemble performance with up to 20 performers on stage.