Hosted by St. Louis Taiko Center
Midwest Shinobue Workshop
with Miki Saito
October 10-11, 2026
St. Louis Taiko Center
10734 Trenton Ave, St. Louis, MO 63132
All levels welcome • Beginners encouraged
You don’t need to be a taiko player to join us!
Workshop Sessions
Introduction to Shinobue for Beginners
Saturday, Oct 10: 9 am to 12 pm
Introduction to Simple Shinobue Songs
Saturday, Oct 10: 1:30 pm to 4:30 pm
How to play Shinobue with Matsuri Taiko
Sunday, Oct 11: 9 am to 12 pm
(After the 3 workshops, participants are free to travel back home if they are coming from out of town)
Zoom community session: How to play Shinobue with Matsuri Taiko
Sunday, Oct 11: 1 pm to 2:30 pm
Workshop Registration: $120
Meet Miki Saito
Miki Saito's approach to the shinobue begins with tradition.
She studied with Bunta Satoh Sensei, a renowned shinobue and Tsugaru-bue player who has performed at Carnegie Hall. Through his teaching, Miki learned the traditional Tsugaru-style shinobue, a distinctive playing tradition from the Tsugaru region of northern Japan. Traditional Tsugaru music is performed with shinobue, taiko, and kane (Japanese bells), and this musical tradition forms the foundation of Miki's shinobue playing.
At the same time, Miki brings a very different musical background to the instrument. With extensive Western classical training in piano, voice, and opera, she approaches the shinobue with an ear for tone, phrasing, musical expression, and interpretation.
Today, Miki is a versatile shinobue player whose music crosses genres and generations. Her repertoire ranges from traditional Japanese music and her own original compositions to anime and video game music. She enjoys exploring the expressive possibilities of the shinobue while honoring the instrument's rich cultural heritage.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to be a taiko player?
Not at all! You do not need any taiko experience to participate. This is a shinobue workshop, and everyone interested in learning and playing shinobue is welcome.
Do I need to already play shinobue?
No. Beginners are welcome and encouraged! The workshop is designed to accommodate different levels of experience.
What should I bring?
If you already play shinobue, please bring your instruments.
If you don't have a shinobue yet, no problem! Miki will have Suzuki plastic shinobues available for purchase at the workshop at special workshop pricing, significantly lower than regular online prices.
6-hon choshi – $38 each (Regular online price = $54)
7-hon choshi – $27 each (Regular online price = $44)
8-hon choshi – $27 each (Regular online price = $44)
What type of shinobue should I bring?
Any hon choshi shinobue is welcome. If you already have a shinobue, bring the one you normally play.
Come spend a weekend exploring the shinobue (Japanese bamboo flute) with Miki Saito.
Whether you are completely new to shinobue or already play, this weekend workshop is an opportunity to learn, play, and connect with other shinobue players.
From 2025 North American Taiko Conference