Experience the energy and beauty of Japanese culture with the Tsubaki Ensemble, a dynamic performance group that brings to life the rhythms of Taiko drumming, the melodies of the bamboo flute, and the grace of Japanese folk dance.

In this exciting and highly interactive assembly, students will discover how folk music and dance tell the stories of everyday life — from planting rice and celebrating the seasons to honoring community and family. They’ll see how these traditions connect people across time and learn that folk art isn’t just from the past — it’s something we can all create today!

Students will join in the experience by learning both a traditional Japanese folk dance and a modern “folk” dance that reflects their own lives and creativity. At the end of the program, selected students will be invited to join the performers on stage — to play the Taiko drums and dance alongside the Tsubaki Ensemble, sharing in the rhythm and energy of the performance!

Through movement, music, and storytelling, students will see that folk art belongs to everyone — a living tradition that continues to grow with each generation.

Program themes: Cultural appreciation • Storytelling through music • Creativity and self-expression • Community connection • Linking past and present