Paula Midori Nieckar is passionate about taiko as an art. With a lifelong background of training in classical music and ballet, Paula incorporates graceful movement, musicality, and a dance-like quality to her taiko performance. She loves the freedom of expression and the whole-body experience of taiko.

 

Taiko is a way to connect to her Japanese heritage and culture, and is very much like life: always flowing and changing, and always teaching you about yourself. Paula has been performing taiko since 2011 and is the founder of Yama no Oto, and also a former Performing Member/Artistic Director of Calgary's community taiko group Midnight Taiko Kai. 

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Paula welcomes students of any age or ability to try taiko classes. There are classes for Beginners to experienced taiko players. Also at the MRU Conservatory, Paula teaches and directs the Rocky Mountain Taiko Ensemble, the performance ensemble comprised of the most advanced students at the Conservatory. That taiko program is currently paused due to COVID19 precautions.