North American Taiko Conference -Regional
NATC-R History
2020 - TCA in response to the pandemic, conducts a risk assessment and determines that NATC 2021 and NATC 2023 cannot happen. We pivot to digital conference and programs.
2021 - TCA begins to realize that we can do a better job serving our various regions of taiko through our programming.
2022 - TCA hires its second ED and works to create new strategic framework that:
Offers annual gatherings versus every few years, and
Incorporates a region-focused gathering (NATC-R) to our lineup. Town hall sessions and RFP (request for proposals) were conducted to identify the next few years of hosts for the return of NATC and the launch of NATC-R
2023 - Hilo, Hawai'i
Dates
June 30 - July 2, 2023
Venue
Keaʻau High School
16-725 Keaau-Pahoa Road
Keaau, Hawaii 96749
Attendance
Over 250 attendees
Safety Message from TCA Executive Director
Hello NATC-R Conference People!
This is a personal reminder from TCA Executive Director, Kristina McGaha, about some safety and health protocols before we all spend time together.
Hey Taiko Fam! I know that many of you are either on the islands or on the way there in the next few days. I am so excited to see each and every one of you. I am a firm believer in "safety first" and just wanted to share some safety items you may find useful.
Hawaii's masking policy varies and is currently optional. NATC-R also does not have a strict masking enforcement policy, but we acknowledge that the comfort level with this can vary from person to person. We advise you to use your discretion on if/how much you choose to mask during the conference. Our amazing Obon hosts are providing masks at the registration table in the event you'd like to wear one and need it.
TCA also has been fielding some questions about feeling sick or having symptoms prior to travel, and what attendees should do. Since we are not medical professionals, we cannot recommend how you choose to travel to the conference (or not). We simply ask that you be mindful and considerate of others so that we all have a fun, safe, and healthy experience at NATC-R. If a medical reason does arise that prevents you from attending, please reach out to me personally so I can help resolve any concerns you may have. My email is kristina@taikocommunityalliance.org
Be well, travel safe, and see you there!
Kristina McGaha (she, her, hers)
Conference Schedule
Friday, June 30
12:00 pm – 7:00 pm – Marketplace Open
12:00 pm – 4:00 pm – Registration
1:00pm – 3:00pm – Great Grandfather’s Drum with Kay Fukumoto
4:00pm – 5:00pm – Opening Session - Click here to view the recorded 2023 NATC-R Hilo Plenary Session
5:30pm – 7:00pm – TaikoGO!
7:00pm – 9:00pm – Dinner
Saturday, July 1
8:00 am – 6:00 pm – Marketplace opens
9:00 am – 10:00 am – Opening Session
10:00 am – 12:00 pm – Workshops
12:00 pm – 1:30 pm- Lunch
1:30 pm – 3:30 pm – Workshops
3:30 pm – 4:00 pm – Networking and Breaktime
4:00 pm – 6:00 pm – Workshops
6:00pm – 10:00pm – Dinner & Obon at Puna Hongwanji (shuttle service will be available from the conference site to Puna Hongwanji)
Sunday, July 2
7:00 am – 8:00 am Warm-Ups
8:00 am – 6:00 pm – Marketplace opens
9:00 am – 12:00 pm – Intensive Workshops
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm – Lunch
1:00 pm – 4:00 pm – Intensive Workshops
4:00 pm – 4:30 pm – Networking and Breaktime
4:30 pm – 6:00 pm – Closing Performances
*6:30pm – 9:00pm – OPTIONAL – Screening of Finding Her Beat at the Palace Theater. Special screening of Finding Her Beat at the Palace Theater in Hilo right after the conference at 7:00pm (doors open at 6:30pm). This event is ticketed by the venue and not directly part of NATC-R, but will feature a Q&A session with Chizuko Endo and Tiffany Tamaribuchi. $15/person General Admission
Optional Intensive Sessions
Lion Chant with Shoji Kameda
July 3rd & July 4th – 9:00a-4:00p (w/ 1-hr lunch)
Join Puna Taiko as they tackle “Lion Chant” with composer Shoji Kameda! This workshop is open to all interested drummers!
Location: Keaau High Library
Mata Ne with Fred Visaya
July 3rd (10:00a to 5:00p)
Join Puna Taiko’s Apprentice Group as they learn one of their favorite songs, “Mata Ne” with composer Fred Visaya, Jr.! This workshop is open to all interested drummers!
Location: Puna Hongwanji Buddhist Temple
Registration Information & Cancellation Policy
Registration Schedule
February 14-28: Hawaii Residents
February 14-28: TCA Lifetime and Sustaining Members
March 1-31: General Registration
Steps to Register
Register, pay, and sign off on policies at the Registration Form here. Invitation emails will be processed and sent daily at 8:00 AM and 8:00 PM HST.
Use the email invitation to access the Conference SCHED portal to create your profile and select your workshops.
Observers and Chaperones will select workshops and meal options via a separate form as applicable and will be added to the official SCHED portal once Participant Registration closes.
Pricing Tiers
Participants: $300 ($250 for TCA Members)
Fully-interactive participation in all workshop and intensive blocks as well as seating at all plenary sessions.
Observers: $150 ($100 for TCA Members) Similar to Participants, but Observers are passive students. They are allowed a seat in the workshop spaces, but are not actively drumming or practicing. Includes seating at all plenary sessions.
Chaperones: $30 This tier is for Chaperones of participating minors who will themselves not be participating in workshops. Attendees of this Tier may observe workshops that their ward(s) are attending but may not participate in the workshops. If intending to participate in workshops and chaperone, please register under “Participants.” Includes seating at all plenary sessions and 3 conference meals.
Other Information
All active TCA members receive $50 off of Participant and Observer rates.
TaikoGo! performers will receive 50% off of Participant or Observer registration. Click here for more information about TaikoGO!
All registrations include 4 meals served on-site (Friday dinner, Saturday lunch & dinner, Sunday lunch)
Reminders
Participants will select their classes at the SCHED Registration Portal.
Sched.com Welcome emails will be sent out daily between 8:00 am and 8:00 pm Hawaii Standard Time every day.
Since Observers don’t affect workshop capacity, they’ll select classes on a separate form and be added in at the close of registration
Due to venue and equipment restrictions, the NATC-R Hilo conference will have a registration cap of 250 participants (Observers do not count towards this cap). NATC Regionals by design are smaller scaled conferences that are designed to bring resources to the host region.
We will coordinate a waitlist after registration closes.
Cancellation Policy
If a registrant needs to cancel their registration, they must submit a request to Taiko Community Alliance at info@taikocommunityalliance.org. Upon receipt of the attendees cancellation request, registration fees will be refunded at the rates below:
Requests received before May 31, 2023 are eligible for a 100% refund.
Requests received between May 31,2023 – June 28, 2023 are eligible for a 50% refund.
Cancellation requests received after June 28, 2023 are not eligible for a refund.
Participant Absence without Notice: If a registrant does not attend the conference (no show) it will be considered a cancellation and no refund will be issued.
Inability to complete Conference/Partial Attendance: If a registrant does not attend the full conference no partial refund will be issued.
Taiko Community Alliance TCA Cancellation: If extenuating circumstances dictate that TCA must cancel the conference, participants will be provided a full refund of their registration fees. TCA is not responsible for the refund of travel, hotel, or any other expenses under any circumstance.
Travel Information
Through a partnership with Southwest Airlines, you may use the code 99373724 when booking for discounted airfare on “Business Select” & “Anytime” flights and 50% bonus Rapid Reward points. Make sure to enter your Rapid Rewards account number at the time of booking to qualify for the bonus points.
For all attendees, TCA recommends securing your registration spot first prior to booking travel.
This deal will work for flights in and out of Hilo from June 27 through July 5, which will cover artists staying for the extra intensives following the main conference. If you are traveling outside of these dates, please contact Southwest Airlines directly to determine if you are eligible for these partnership terms. Happy travels! We are looking forward to seeing you at NATC-R in Hilo!
Lodging (Conference Rates)
Standard Garden View Room – sleeps up to 4: $169/night
Deluxe Ocean View Room – sleeps up to 4: $189/night
Resort Fees Waived
Please use the Conference Rate Form or call: (808) 935-9361
Castle Resorts – Hilo Hawaiian Hotel, 71 Banyan Drive, Hilo, Hawaii 96720 https://www.castleresorts.com/big-island/hilo-hawaiian-hotel/
Limited Shuttle Service
We will provide a shuttle service between the conference location and the Obon Saturday night only. We cannot accommodate shuttle requests to and from the hotel or other pick up locations. This is due to liability and availability of these resources.
The venue will have a free parking lot for attendees to individually coordinate rideshare, taxi, rental, or other transport arrangements.
Meal Information
Select meals (kau-kau) are included in the registration fee. Meal selections and dietary restrictions are selected during registration. Meal tickets will be provided and include:
Friday, June 30- Reception dinner - Options include:
Poke Bowl (raw)
Poke Bowl (not raw)
Poke Bowl (vegetarian)
Saturday, July 1 – Lunch – Bento (box lunch) - Options include large or small box lunch & large or small vegetarian box lunch
Saturday, July 1 – Dinner at Puna Hongwanji Obon Festival - Attendees will be provided with a meal credit for use at the Obon Festival concession which features a variety of local favorites.
Sunday, July 2 – Lunch – Bento (box lunch) - Options include large or small box lunch & large or small vegetarian box lunch
TAIKOGO! is a smaller version of the NATC Taiko Ten concert, which aims to provide performance opportunities for organizations in attendance of the North American Taiko Conference. The theme for our first TAIKOGO! is “Heritage and Evolution,” one of the TCA’s Core Principles. The first NATC was held in Little Tokyo, Los Angeles in 1997 and the first Taiko Ten concert was held in Sacramento in 2003, which was the first time NATC was hosted outside of Los Angeles. As the North American Taiko Conference continues to evolve with the first regional gathering (NATC-R), we want to highlight the ways in which taiko continues to both evolve and hold memory in our communities. What legacies and histories are performed in your group’s music? What new stories and adaptations does your taiko-playing incorporate? As a reminder, TaikoGO! is a free and public event. We hope to see you there!
We are excited to announce the line-up for the inaugural TaikoGO! concert (individual performances linked below):
In addition, the following performers will be featured on Saturday and Sunday: