Celebrating 20 Years of Rhythm and Connection

Logo with a gold circular and thread design, a Chinese character in the center, and text reading "OMNY Taiko 20th Anniversary EN: the threads of fate that connect us" on a black background.

OMNY Taiko is a vibrant, tight-knit community drumming group striving to share the art of taiko drumming with people and communities across the New York City area through inclusive, accessible performances, classes, and workshops.

As a form of rhythmic and artistic expression, taiko allows individuals to convey emotion and energy, and to connect with others through music. OMNY Taiko emphasizes the communal aspect of ensemble drumming:

  • bringing people together to create music as a group

  • fostering a sense of community and belonging

  • providing opportunities for collaboration and teamwork

One of our primary goals is to become emblematic of the energy of New York City, reflecting the story of a seed born on the concrete streets and blossoming into a vibrant community with the strength and tenacity of a city that never sleeps.

What is Taiko?

Taiko (太鼓, literally “big drum”) is a type of Japanese percussion played for over 1,000 years. Traditionally, taiko were used in religious ceremonies, festivals, and as theatrical accompaniment. Kumi-daiko, or ensemble drumming, was created in the 1950s. In kumi-daiko, many drummers play different-sized drums to create complex rhythms and stylized performances. This style of taiko drumming has become extremely popular and taiko groups have formed all across the world.

A group of people posing outdoors with a wooden drum, smiling and holding drumsticks, in front of blue and white tents.

OMNY (One Miracle in New York) was born as a youth initiative of Shumei, a Japanese spiritual organization. Taiko Master Koji Nakamura Sensei traveled to NYC three times a year to teach the original three kids. Lacking drums and space, we practiced on car tires until two miracles occurred—an elder couple loaned us their garage space in Bushwick, Brooklyn, and the Catskill Mountain Foundation loaned us our first taiko drums.

2006 : The Seed in the Concrete

Three smiling girls wearing winter jackets and hats inside a blue tent, hugging each other.

Sibling duo Linda and Tony Lam stepped up as leaders, growing our group from a youth program to a community space. We rented the auditorium of P.S. 134 Henrietta Szold on the Lower East Side of Manhattan and began offering introductory classes, welcoming players from all backgrounds into our family.

2009 : Growth and Expansion

A group of performers playing traditional Japanese drums on stage.
Group of seven people posing outside a barn with an open door, sitting and kneeling on the grass, some smiling and others making playful faces, with chairs and wooden beams visible inside.

OMNY’s had an annual retreat since before OMNY was an official taiko group. Every year, we go up to the Catskill Mountains and celebrate community, with the generous support from the Catskill Mountain Foundation and the Windham Chapter.

2014 : Building Community

Group of people standing on a stage with large traditional drums and a pipe organ in the background.
People gathered around a fire pit roasting marshmallows on skewers during outdoor gathering at dusk.
Group of diverse people standing and sitting around a long table with various dishes, preparing to eat in a well-lit dining area.

After a decade, a new era of OMNY began under the leadership of Crissy Lau, JJ DelSerra, and Eyal Bar-David. Pushing beyond our intimate community, we challenged ourselves to develop our artistry further by learning from other taiko artists and groups across the country. This led us to ponder OMNY’s identity and mission in the world, both as a performance art ensemble and as a community.

2016: A New Artistic Direction

Three performers in red and black costumes posing playfully in front of a large traditional Japanese drum on stage.
Group of people practicing a theatrical or dance performance in a rehearsal studio, with some standing, some kneeling or lying on the floor, and others balancing or stretching.
Group of nine young adults posing playfully on a brick ledge outside a building, some lying down and others standing, with some holding sticks or drums, on a sunny day.

As the world went under lockdown during the COVID-19 pandemic, OMNY lost its practice space, and our drums took refuge in a New Jersey garage. Though we couldn’t meet in person, our weekly practices went virtual, never skipping a beat. During this time, we started a book club, watched films together, and developed a bond that became the impetus of our next chapter.

2020 : Displaced & Locked Down

A group of street performers playing drums under an overpass, with a crowd watching and taking photos on a city street.
Group of five people practicing drumming on drums outdoors in a park, wearing masks and standing in a semicircle, with one person taking a selfie in the foreground.
A virtual meeting with nine participants in individual video frames, most sitting indoors with various backgrounds including decorated walls, paintings, plants, and home furniture.

2023: A New Chapter

After resuming in-person practices at our new home, the Brooklyn Music School, we made our NYC concert comeback and basically threw a party on stage. Meanwhile, we quietly pursued and achieved one of our dreams: becoming a 501(c)3 non-profit!

A group of people taking a selfie around a tall stone lighthouse with a green top, looking down at the camera, against a bright blue sky.
People participating in a street parade, playing drums and enjoying the event on a sunny day with green trees in the background.
Group of performers playing traditional Japanese taiko drums on stage during a lively performance.

Celebrating 20 years of “One Miracle in New York,” we look back at the unseen threads of fate that have guided our journey, weaving together people, rhythms, places, and moments that define who we are today. As we celebrate this anniversary, we honor the legacy of rhythms that remember, and the enduring connections that continue to carry us forward.

2026 : Two Decades of Taiko

Group of people dressed in Halloween costumes, some with masks and skeleton themes, holding musical instruments such as drums and cymbals, outdoors at night on a city street.
A group of performers on stage playing traditional drums and using sticks, dressed in colorful costumes, with an audience in front watching and taking photos.
Performer playing traditional drum in front of large crowd at outdoor event.