Meet Our People

Toshi Sakamoto

Born in 1959 in Kumamoto, Japan, Toshi Sakamoto has dedicated his life to the art of Japanese drumming (wadaiko) and its advancement throughout Australia and the Asia-Pacific region.

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In 1987, Toshi co-founded the “Rindo Daiko Association” in Kumamoto, where he began his performance career. He trained under Takashi Fukuda, a percussionist with the Kumamoto Philharmonic Orchestra, and received intensive lessons from Yuu Imafuku of Ondekoza, along with various renowned taiko groups in the area. Toshi also played a key role in establishing the Kumamoto Castle Taiko group.

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In 1995, Toshi first arrived in Australia as a voluntary member of a Japanese cultural exchange team, engaging in nine months of cultural activities focused on taiko performance. He returned in 1996 to the same role and chose to settle in Australia that year, establishing the country’s first professional taiko training classes. Many advanced students from these classes later joined Toshi and Junko Sakamoto in forming the official performing ensemble of Wadaiko Rindo.

Junko Sakamoto

Born in Minatama, Kumamoto, Japan, Junko Sakamoto started playing an active part in Kumamoto Rindo Taiko Conservation Club in 1995. In 1997 she moved to Melbourne and joined her husband Toshi in teaching taiko classes and taking part in taiko performances. Junko is a much-loved member of the Wadaiko Rindo family.

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Her enthusiasm and smiles are infectious and the energy she brings to her performances is like a tangible aura that delights the team and audiences.

Wadaiko Rindo Performers

The Wadaiko Rindo Performing Group is made up of the founding members of Wadaiko Rindo and experienced performers selected from a talented pool of regular students. Known as the ‘Purple Performers,’ they don signature purple Rindo happi jackets, proudly representing Wadaiko Rindo at concerts and festivals across Australia and internationally.

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During festivals and larger public events, the Purple Performers are joined by enthusiastic students, whose vibrant energy captivates audiences with infectious rhythms and smiles.

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Wadaiko Rindo has showcased its talents throughout Australia at numerous concerts, festivals, and private events, as well as performing abroad in notable locations such as Tonga, China, Fiji, New Caledonia, and Japan.

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With a strong emphasis on traditional taiko styles, the group typically performs in traditional clothing, delivering spectacular visual displays of stamina, strength, and humour. The vibrations produced on stage resonate throughout the audience, energising everyone present.

Daisuke Kawakami

Born in Tokyo, Japan, in 1972, Daisuke Kawakami made his way to Melbourne in 1998 after initially spending a year there in 1995 to study English. Captivated by the city, he decided to establish his life in Melbourne as a Japanese teacher.

His introduction to Wadaiko Rindo came at a friend's wedding reception in 1998, where he met Toshi and Junko, who performed to celebrate the occasion. It wasn’t until 2012 that Daisuke joined Wadaiko Rindo; after inheriting a student taiko group at his school, he reached out to Toshi to learn and share taiko with his students, not realising he would eventually become a performer himself.

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Outside of taiko, Daisuke enjoys cooking a variety of dishes, going fishing, and following AFL. Among his many highlights with Wadaiko Rindo, a performance tour to Tonga and Fiji in 2016 stands out, as it allowed him to share his passion for taiko with local students. He cherishes the connections he’s made through the art and aspires to compose a taiko piece of his own one day.

Katja Petrovic

Born in Croatia in 1987, Katja Petrovic moved to Melbourne as a baby and grew up in the vibrant city. Her journey into the world of taiko began at the age of 14 when she saw TaikOz perform, and later, during her university years, a friend’s enthusiasm for local taiko inspired her to seek out Wadaiko Rindo. She officially joined the group in 2015, eager to embrace the rhythm and community of this art form.

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Aside from taiko, Katja is deeply engaged in academia, serving as a lecturer and course coordinator in psychology at La Trobe University. In her spare time, she enjoys befriending local birds, collecting books she may never read, and creating video essays for YouTube, along with freelance writing about games.

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Katja’s heartfelt passion for taiko shines through in her performances, where audience members often note her infectious enjoyment. She believes that every performance is a collective achievement, emphasising the importance of teamwork. Looking ahead, she hopes to continue having unforgettable experiences with fellow taiko enthusiasts while helping Wadaiko Rindo students enhance their skills and share the joy of taiko with even more people.

Anna Foong

Born in Malaysia in 1988, Anna Foong immigrated to Melbourne with her family in 2002. Her introduction to taiko drumming came through electrifying performances by Drum Tao and Taikoz, captivating her with their vibrant energy and expressive movements. A classical percussionist by training, Anna found herself drawn to the unique way taiko merged music and dance, compelling her to explore this art form further. In 2015, after receiving taiko classes as a Christmas gift, she quickly fell in love with the physicality and communal spirit of the practice.

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Beyond of her passion for taiko, Anna serves as a music specialist teacher in a primary school, dedicated to nurturing her students’ musicality and breaking down complex concepts. Alongside her teaching, she enjoys gardening and baking, particularly her beloved pandan chiffon cake.

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As a valued key member of Wadaiko Rindo, Anna has taken on leadership roles in annual student concerts and shared her classical expertise through improvisation workshops. Driven by a mission to inspire others to embrace their musical potential, she believes that everyone can connect through the rhythm of the drums and touch the hearts of their audience.