Artist Statement
4:00 p.m. on September 24, 2017
Atlanta Taiko Project presents a show and an interactive session with a brief introduction to the history and performance of taiko. The pieces, composed by Peter Marino, artistic director of Atlanta Taiko Project, focus heavily on the traditional instruments of the Japanese taiko ensemble but will also include instruments from several other world music styles.
Artist Bio
Peter Marino hold’s degrees in Music Performance and Music Education and has been teaching percussion throughout the United States for over 18 years. In the past 9 years, Peter has turned his focus to taiko drumming and is the founder of Atlanta Taiko Project. As a professional musician with music credits on Broadway for “The Lion King” and work with notable music greats such as Yo Yo Ma, Giovanni Hildalgo, Andre Watts and Emmanuel Ax, Peter brings a unique eclectic sensibility to a traditionally Japanese art form. Over the span of his career he has developed a national following with his engaging teaching technique and percussion programs. Peter is the president of One Hour Drummer and has authored several popular percussion technique books. Peter is the creator of the “Wordplay System,” a music education program which enables students to quickly learn to play complex taiko, Latin, African and Afro-Cuban rhythms. His programs are in place at various Atlanta schools, hospitals and senior centers.