The Kaoru Watanabe Taiko Center preserves, teaches, and promotes various styles of Japanese contemporary and traditional music, with a focus on the shinobue bamboo flutes and Japanese percussion, including the taiko drum. Their mission includes fostering a community of practitioners, scholars and admirers of Japanese performing arts. The members of the Kaoru Watanabe Professional Ensemble represent the best of this incredible art form and they share their excellence with the students in the Wesleyan University Taiko Ensemble. The knowledge and passion they manifest in the school community is of great benefit to the state of Connecticut and The Music Series is honored to host them and the inspiring sounds of the taiko drums.