About Fushicho Daiko - Taiko is the Japanese word for "great drum". Fushicho is the word for the mythical Phoenix. Put them together and you have Fushicho Daiko, the Phoenix Drummers.

Deep in the core of every human heart is an instinctive desire to beat a drum. Fushicho Daiko satisfies this eternal yearning in an unforgettable, dramatic way. Their evocative sounds and pulsating rhythms combine to make music one literally feels as well as hears. Primeval and haunting, the music of Fushicho Daiko can truly by a cathartic experience.

Based in Phoenix, and founded in 1992, Fushicho Daiko is a 5 person ensemble: Esther Vandecar, Tony Trapasso, Eileen Morgan, Ken Koshio, and Marsha Robb. They have traveled all across the United States sharing their music with schools, colleges, and communities. China and Mexico tours are slated in the near future.

Fushicho Daiko Team Biography

Esther E. Vandecar
Esther has a B.S. and, an MAED and two menjo (licenses for teaching) for taiko (Japanese drumming). She lived, worked, studied, performed and taught in Hiroshima and on Shikoku, Japan. She started Fushicho Daiko*Phoenix Drummers in Phoenix, AZ in 1992. She has been on the Arizona Commission on the Arts roster since 1993 and with Fushicho Daiko since 1996. Her mission has been to share the wonderful Japanese culture and the art form of taiko, with as many people as possible.

Tony Trapasso
Tony received his education at the New School for Social Research in New York City, studying visual and performing arts. He is a found member of Fushicho Daiko, performing, and teaching since 1993. He is always working on new projects with Fushicho Daiko to educate and entertain.

Eileen Morgan
Eileen has a B. S. in Music Education, K-12 and a Master's Degree in Deaf Education. Eileen has taught children from 3-21 music, including 4 years at the Phoenix Day School for the Deaf. Eileen joined Fushicho Daiko in 1994 after spending a year working with Esther Vandecar, Fushicho Daiko's Director, at that school, creating a children's taiko group.

Ken Koshio
Ken is a veteran Rock 'n Roller from Nagoya, Japan and Los Angeles. He joined Fushicho Daiko in 2003 for a collaboration of "The Pine of Akoya", an ancient Japanese folk tale. Taiko grabbed him as it never did in Japan and he's been on board ever since. He also adds Sanshin and shamisen, stringed instrument from Japan, and a lovely compliment of folk songs to enrich Fushicho Daiko's already interesting stage.

Marsha Robb
Marsha's training in acting, singing, and dancing has provided her with many successes in musical comedy, off-Broadway, a USO tour lead including Actress of the Year in Milwaukee, for "Sweet Charity." She was trained in taiko by a Fushicho Daiko member and formed her own group "Sabakurai" in 2002. She joined Fushicho Daiko in January 2004 as narrator for "The Pine" is now a member.