Ian Cleworth and Riley Lee formed Taikoz in 1997, which has developed an original repertoire of works seen in Australia's finest concert halls, theatres of regional Australia, and in leading venues worldwide. 

 

Taikoz has performed numerous times in Japan, Paris, Bangkok, Taiwan, New Zealand, and West Coast USA. A major international highlight was a five-city tour of India, which saw CHI UDAKA – their collaboration with Lingalayam Dance Company – receive wide critical acclaim. CHI UDAKA was remounted in 2023 on an invitation from the Sydney Opera House to be a part of their month-long 50th anniversary celebrations. 

 

Esteemed collaborators include composers Sandy Evans, Yunyu, Karlin Love, Lachlan Skipworth, Gerard Brophy, Andrea Molino and Michael Askill, and artists as diverse as John Bell and the Bell Shakespeare Company, taiko greats Eitetsu Hayashi and Kodo, First Nations Artist Waangenga Blanco, art-music ensembles Synergy Percussion, Ensemble Offspring and the Sydney Improvisers Composers Kollektiv Orchestra. as well as choreographers Meryl Tankard and Anandavalli. 

 

Taikoz has appeared in concerto works with major orchestras, including the Sydney, Melbourne, West Australian and Queensland Symphony Orchestras, and Dresden Sinfoniker in Europe. Most recently, Taikoz, Riley Lee and Kaoru Watanabe were featured soloists with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, performing their own works in arrangements for the ensemble and orchestra. 

Ann Hoban - Chair

Jeremy Wright AM - Director

Alison Dunn - Director

Chris Adams - Director & Chair of Finance and Risk Committee

Ian Cleworth - Executive Director

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Lee McIver - General Manager | Producer

Leigh Richardson - Finance Officer

Silvana Imperatori - Community Engagement Manager

Haruka Kunimuni - Australian Taiko Academy - Assistant