Auditions 2026

No Experience Needed!

Auditions 2026 Results

Thank you for auditioning! We sincerely hope all of you enjoyed the experience of learning and playing taiko.

The people that we will be accepting into Stanford Taiko are:

  • Maya Davis
  • Jonathan Hwang
  • Shuhan Lyu
  • Aadrit Talukdar
  • Jasmine Wen
  • Abby Xiao

Thank you to everyone who auditioned. We could tell you all studied Tales intensely, and we are sad that this process requires us to make difficult choices.

A reminder to newly accepted first-years: HLM is from 7 – 11 PM on Friday, October 9 at the Music Department Faculty Lounge and your first official day of practice is from 7:45 – 11 PM on Monday, October 12. We will discuss plans for Fall Retreat at HLM.

(Concluded) Auditions Information

We would love to have any Stanford student, undergraduate or graduate, interested in Taiko come and audition, regardless of skill level! The majority of Stanford Taiko members auditioned without ever having played taiko before–all you need to bring are comfortable clothes, a water bottle, and your excitement to play taiko! For more information, see our Auditionee’s Packet, as well as our Audition FAQ.

If you are interested, please fill out our interest form here.

You might also be interested in our fall open workshop.

Visit our Instagram page to stay up to date on all news.

If you have any questions, please email our auditions team: Kanon Homma (khomma@stanford.edu), Ava Eberhart (avae@stanford.edu), and Mika Semke (misemke@stanford.edu).

(Concluded) Round 1

Day one of auditions for Stanford Taiko will take place on Monday, September 28th, 2026, 7:45 PM – 10 PM in Dinkelspiel Auditorium.

First round audition cuts take place on Tuesday, September 29th, 2026, between 7:00 PM – 9:00 PM at the Asian American Activities (A3C) Center Ballroom (enter through the main door by the inner courtyard, first big room to your left up some stairs). Each auditionee will sign up for a 30-minute slot within this time and only needs to attend their slot, not the full two hours.

Results have been sent to auditionee emails.*

(Concluded) Round 2 Information

For those that pass the first round of auditions, you will play with our group for our next two practices! The mandatory practices (which are also the same time and duration as our regular practice periods) for second round auditions will be held at Dinkelspiel Auditorium on:

  • Thursday, October 1st, 2026: 7:45 pm –> 11:00 pm
  • Monday, October 5th, 2026: 7:45 pm –> 11:00 pm

Punctuality is an important aspect of Stanford Taiko’s culture around respect: Please arrive on time! We will be starting right on time.

Additionally, for those that continue, we will have optional events: Antics (hanging out and playing board games) and an additional practice for anyone looking for extra practice time, both on Sunday, October 4, 2026. Antics will be from 2-4 pm at Old Union 121, and optional practice is 4-6 pm at Dinkelspiel Auditorium).

Final Round auditions are held Thursday, October 8th, 2026: 7:45 pm –> 10:20 pm (in Dinkelspiel Auditorium). This is also an opportunity to invite your friends to see what you’ve been working on! Results will be posted by 10 am Friday.

Additionally, for those that join Stanford Taiko, there will be a group retreat the weekend after week 5. (Please note that the date is subject to change.)