May Artist Spotlight: Jennifer Weir of TaikoArts Midwest

Hi Jennifer, thank you so much for taking the time to tell us more about your art form and how you came to be the founder of TaikoArts Midwest. To get us started, can you tell us a little about your background and what your art form is?

I'm a Korean adoptee and I've been studying and performing taiko drumming for 24 years. Taiko is the Japanese word for drum and refers to the modern style of playing these drums. Taiko is movement infused, heart-pounding, dynamic group drumming. Think of it as a high energy performance art that combines music, dance, martial arts, athletics, and culture.

When did you first become interested in Taiko? How did it happen? Who were some of your influences?

I first saw taiko when Rick Shiomi (former Artistic Director of Theater Mu) gave a demonstration at a Theater Mu event. It was one drum, one drummer, and maybe one minute long. I decided that I needed to learn and try it for myself. I was an actor at the time and several of us begged Rick to teach us. There are so many inspiring artists in the taiko community, some of those who have greatly influenced me include: Grandmaster Seiichi Tanaka from San Francisco Taiko Dojo, Tiffany Tamaribuchi, Chike Kojima (KODO, Japan), Kaoly Asano (GOCOO, Japan), Michelle Fujii (Unit Souzou), Kenny Endo (Hawaii), Shoji Kameda, Fubuki Daiko, and many more.

Can you tell us about your performance group, TaikoArts Midwest/Ensō Daiko and how that began?

For the first 20 years, we began as Mu Daiko, a part of Theater Mu. However, since 2016, I founded TaikoArts Midwest to be our own independent organization. We renamed ourselves, Enso Daiko. We are proud to be a MN grown taiko group, and reflect a diversity of influences from our lives, our teachers, and our theatrical beginnings. We care about both tradition and innovation and making taiko accessible to more people.

What is your favorite part of performing?

For me, taiko brings out the best in me, and allows me to tap into an energy bigger than myself. I love the physical and choreographic elements of the drumming, and I love the taiko community.

In this time of virtual programming how are you adjusting? What do you find challenging? Any unexpected benefits?

It has been challenging because we have not been able to practice together and can only hold classes outdoors or with a minimal amount of people indoors. The upside to this lull in activity is that we've been able to funnel our resources towards completing a documentary film, HERbeat.

Have you been working on any new projects lately?

Through TaikoArts Midwest, I am producing a documentary film about women in taiko, called HERbeat. I'm working with amazing directors Dawn Mikkelson and Keri Pickett, and we hope to have the film finished this year by late summer/early fall. We are in early stages of planning productions in 2022. But currently, we are just trying to get all of our artists vaccinated so that we can rehearse together again!

During this time of great change in Minnesota and around the world with the uprising of anti-racism work and recognition of white supremacy, how do you see the arts as fitting into that story?

I think the arts are essential. Arts help express the complicated and urgent needs of the soul. Arts connect us, inspire us, and create space for voices and communities to share their stories, their lives, and their culture. Also, we need healing and inspiration now more than ever, and arts will lead the way.

TaikoArts Midwest joined the COMPAS roster in 2018. What’s it like to be a part of COMPAS so far?

It is a wonderful way to be connected with the larger MN community, and gives us more opportunities to introduce taiko to many who have never heard of it.

How do you practice creativity in your everyday life?

I'm learning how to slow down and be more present. I feel that influences my personal and artistic priorities, and helps me stay focused on the things that matter.