Name: Explore Hachijo-style with Silke Hanzen
Start: 2026-04-18T10:00:00+02:00
End: 2026-04-19T17:00:00+02:00
Location: Gendai Center, Leskoškova cesta 6, 1000 Ljubljana, Slovenia

Taiko Slovenia - Douten Taiko are thrilled to announce that we will host workshops by Silke Hanzen in Ljubljana again this year! Over the course of the weekend, Silke will teach two separate workshops, focused on different skills, techniques and styles. And if enough people are interested, we will have an evening taiko session with drinks, to solidify our knowledge from the workshops!
When, where?
- April 18th - 19th 2026. (Saturday and Sunday)
- Gendai center, Leskoškova cesta 6, Ljubljana, Slovenia
- Drums are provided by the organisers
How to apply?
- Send a DM here, or write to [email protected]
WORKSHOP DETAILS
1. Explore Hachijo-style
- Saturday and Sunday, 13h - 17h
- Some Taiko-experience is helpful, but all are welcome, who would like to dive into this unique style of drumming.
Taiko has been played on Hachijo-island for generations at social gatherings as entertainment. A typical feature is that the drum is placed horizontally on a stand at shoulder height and played by two people. Hachijo style drumming is improvised but follows a typical structure. Main focus is spending a good time together, where it does not matter if you are young or old, male or female, experienced or newby – what is important is taking part, having fun and being yourself.
Based on this tradition, you will learn the basic form, typical rhythms and structure of Hachijo-style-drumming. During the workshop we will shift between playing sidewise and on flat stands. Saturday we will focus on learning the basic-knowledge and Sunday we add first steps into playing more freely.
If enough participants are interested, we will end the weekend with a „Hachijo-party“, where we can chat, have fun and drum – just like on the island – Guests welcome!
2. Taiko Fundamentals
- Saturday and Sunday, 10h - 12h
- Suitable for beginners - all level welcome!
This workshop focuses on strengthening the core, foundational taiko playing skills. We will learn how to play the drums with momentum and less muscle power, through learning a set of different basic rhythms, which merge into a short musical practice-song through shifting and a slightly more challenging shime part.
About Silke Hanzen
Silke Hanzen was a performing member of Tentekko (Düsseldorf, M. Baumgartl), one of the first european taiko-groups. She has learned about the diversity of Taiko drumming from various teachers and groups in Europe, Japan, and the USA. She is performing with TaikoDuo and as a guest-player with several groups.
With a favour for creative teaching methods, she is sharing her experience from 25 taiko-years with kids, teens and adults. From beginners to professionals, her TaikoSessions bring people together by drumming. Always on the lookout for artistical development her heart beats for collaboration, diversity and music.