Instructors

As a 501(c)(3) nonprofit educational organization, Makoto Taiko strives to connect and empower people of all backgrounds by advancing the practice of taiko with intention and sincerity. Makoto Taiko is dedicated to providing a high level of taiko instruction through weekly classes, workshops, and programs for kids, adults, and seniors for over 20 years. Makoto Taiko also offers youth leadership classes to empower the next generation through personal growth and development, interpersonal communication, goal setting strategies, time management styles, performance psychology, and relationship building.

Hunter Loyd

Artistic Director & Instructor

Hunter began playing taiko in 2000 with Makoto Taiko. While studying Languages and Cultures with an Emphasis on Japanese at Cal State University of Northridge he introduced and taught popularized taiko styles to the collegiate group Jishin Taiko from 2007-2009.  From 2010-2012 he lived in Japan and taught English while playing taiko with Hikari Daiko in Yamaguchi, Japan. He is currently teaching new kids classes and youth classes at Makoto Taiko. 

Shoji Kameda

Master Artist & Instructor

Shoji is a Grammy-nominated musician, composer, and producer. A lifelong taiko artist (starting at age 8), he has performed with icons like Stevie Wonder, composed award winning soundtracks, and was a founding member of and the primary creative force of the genre-blurring group On Ensemble. In 2014 he co-founded kaDON, a dynamic taiko initiative empowering taiko players worldwide through workshops, original repertoire, high-quality instruments, and accessible online resources. Shoji’s work bridges tradition and innovation making him a defining voice in the contemporary taiko world.

Karen Koyano

Executive Director & Instructor

Karen’s taiko journey began in 2012 when she joined the Makoto Taiko family, and she’s been wearing many hats ever since. She first stepped up as a charter board member and Treasurer from 2014 to 2018, then took the lead as Board President from 2018 to 2020. Since 2021, Karen has guided the group as Executive Director, helping Makoto Taiko thrive as a dynamic and financially solid nonprofit. She also co-teaches the Taiko for Seniors class and performs with the Makoto Performing Group. Karen wrapped up her professional career at Southern California Edison in 2019, where she held senior management roles in engineering, financial analysis, and contracts.

Isaac Caldas

Instructor

Isaac began his taiko journey in 2015 with Hunter’s youth class. He spent three years with UCLA’s Kyodo Taiko starting in 2017 and has since returned to perform with Makoto Taiko. Isaac loves the physical, musical, and community aspects of taiko and hopes that Makoto Performing Group can continue to mentor and learn from fellow members. He works in the anime industry at an audio post-production house named Bang Zoom! Studios. When he’s not drumming, you can find him catching up on shows, cooking tasty vegan foods, and occasionally hiking around the foothills.

Patrick Cruz

Instructor

Patrick Cruz currently serves as the Assistant Artistic Director and Instructor of Makoto Taiko. In 2023, he won 2nd Place in the Taiko Taikai making him the first Filipino to ever win a Taikai in the world. In 2024, he won 1st place in the Advanced Division naming him Grand Champion. He’s the only competitor to win in both years. Patrick is the primary instructor for Odaiko and Katsugi Okedo at Makoto. He performs both solo and as an ensemble member for the Makoto Performing Group. With his Degree in Physical Education, Patrick uses his experience as a fitness professional and is a lifelong student of Kinesiology and all things movement.

Tatiana Koike

Instructor

Tatiana began her taiko journey in 2022 by joining a foundations class at Makoto Taiko. She initially discovered taiko as a way to combine her passion for music with a connection to her Japanese heritage. She has since fallen in love with the art form, particularly the ways that taiko combines music, spirit, the body, and cultural expression. Tatiana is a classically-trained musician and holds a PhD in music theory from Yale University, where her research specialties included critical theories of music pedagogy and music philosophy. In addition to teaching and performing with Makoto Taiko, Tatiana also edits a column on Taiko Source called “Teaching Taiko” as a part of her mission to make quality teaching methods accessible to all. She also plays taiko with an electro-acoustic music collective called “Plastic Ashes,” led by Coco Medvitz and Culley Johnson. 

Rebecca Lin

Instructor

Rebecca is passionate about intercultural exchange and movement-based expression. She discovered taiko in 2016 after witnessing Makoto Taiko perform in Little Tokyo Japanese Village and was immediately drawn to its powerful rhythm and energy. As a member of Makoto Taiko, she values the group’s spirit of sincere practice and mutual encouragement. Rebecca is a Chinese language teacher and a certified Pilates and Zumba instructor, and she brings her love of singing and dancing into every performance.

Alan Riley

Instructor

Alan joined Makoto Taiko in 2017 after Rebecca Lin, whose daughter he was coaching, casually mentioned an upcoming taiko concert. Having been interested in taiko since childhood in the Japanese American community, Alan was easily convinced by Rebecca’s enthusiasm to join Makoto Taiko. What he loves about taiko is collaborating with others who share a common goal of approaching all activities with intention and sincerity. Alan hopes that everyone who experiences Makoto Taiko, whether as a performer or spectator, will feel the group’s holistic unity. Outside of taiko, Alan is an avid sports fan, watching basketball, baseball, and football obsessively. Professionally, he is a Program Coordinator at Kizuna, a non-profit in Little Tokyo, and also works as a freelance leadership coach.

John Mitsugi Riley

Instructor

John began his taiko journey in 2018 as a way to more deeply connect with his cultural roots. He aspires to be a forever-student of taiko in pursuit of mastery and has a deep desire to share with others the joy of deep learning and becoming lifelong students. Beyond taiko, John enjoys running, hiking, and camping.