Kazuyo Ito

Composer, choreographer, Japanese Taiko Drummer

Kazuyo Ito is a Portland-based Japanese taiko composer, performer, choreographer, and educator with more than 20 years of professional experience. She trained with taiko master Takemasa Ishikura while performing with Matsuriza at Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. She later studied taiko performance and educational teaching methods with taiko master Jotaro Yoshimura in Japan. Kazuyo has taught taiko in schools, universities, and community programs, including Portland State University.

As Artistic Director of enTaiko, Kazuyo creates inclusive opportunities for people of different ages, abilities, languages, and cultural backgrounds to experience Japanese taiko. She develops educational programs, directs concerts, and facilitates cultural exchange projects with Japan. Her work honors Japanese cultural traditions while exploring taiko as a powerful form of connection, communication, and artistic expression.

Kazuyo has composed more than 100 original taiko works. Her music explores rhythm through sound, vibration, full-body movement, visual cues, and communication among performers. She collaborates with Deaf and Hard of Hearing artists, disabled and non-disabled performers, dancers, breaking artists, and musicians from different disciplines. Through these collaborations, she continues to expand how taiko can be composed, taught, performed, and experienced.