Isaku Kageyama

Isaku Kageyama is a versatile taiko drummer, educator, and music producer based in Los Angeles, California. Born in San Francisco and raised in Tokyo, he began taiko training at age six under Kenny Endo and later joined the Tokyo-based ensemble Amanojaku, where he served as principal drummer from 2006 to 2011. Kageyama is a two-time National Odaiko Champion, having won top honors at the Mt. Fuji Odaiko Contest in 2000 and in Hokkaido in 2003.

He holds a Bachelor of Music from Berklee College of Music and a Master of Arts from Longy School of Music of Bard College. Kageyama has performed at venues such as Carnegie Hall and Lincoln Center, and collaborated with networks like NBC, VH1, and BET. His work spans traditional and contemporary taiko styles, and he has contributed to projects for Microsoft, the Japan Foundation, and the Pew Center for Arts and Heritage.

As an educator, Kageyama teaches at the Los Angeles Taiko Institute and has conducted workshops at institutions including Berklee College of Music, Brown University, and the North American Taiko Conference. He has also taught after-school programs at Youth Orchestra of Los Angeles and Quincy Jones Elementary School.