Eileen Morgan Sensei

Experience the rhythm of Japanese Taiko drums at Fushicho Daiko. Led by Eileen Morgan, a dedicated music educator with a passion for Taiko. Eileen's journey began at a young age, mastering the accordion and later delving into the art of Taiko. Her commitment to excellence and cultural immersion has shaped Fushicho Daiko into a renowned institution. Join us and discover the power of music.

Accordion

Eileen’s first instrument was the accordion which she started at six. She began New York State Accordion competitions the following year and won multiple awards every year she participated. At 12, Eileen began competing in United States National Competitions and again won numerous awards each of the 5 years she participated, placing 3rd of all 16-year-olds.

Three years of Canadian/US accordion competition saw her voted Outstanding Bassetti Artist in Open Competition. In the same period, she began her studies in flute, saxophone, and piano.

At the age of 24, Eileen took over the teaching responsibilities of the accordion studio that she had been a member of for 18 years and led the students to successful competitions for two years until her move to Phoenix.

Fushicho Daiko

Eileen joined Fushicho Daiko/Phoenix Drummers in October 1994, five months after the birth of her first child. Eileen missed the joy and catharsis of drumming and the sense of community and belonging.

Her studies with Esther Vandecar progressed until she became one of its core performers. The professional group Fushicho Daiko was accepted as Roster Artists on the Arizona Commission on the Arts in 1997, just as the dojo began to flourish with student groups.

Eileen continues to perform with Fushicho Daiko in school residencies, assemblies, festivals, and tours throughout Arizona and the Southwest as well as in Japan. Eileen performs and teaches Taiko as well as the Japanese fue bamboo wind instrument.

As an individual artist, Eileen auditioned and was accepted on the Arizona Commission on the Arts Roster as an individual artist in 2001.

Beginning in 2001, Eileen incorporated her Taiko program in numerous after-school, summer school, juvenile correctional facilities, foster care, special needs, and library programs throughout the Phoenix area and Arizona. In 2003, Eileen began teaching students in the Fushicho Daiko dojo/studio.

At that year’s annual Phoenix Matsuri, A Festival of Japan, Esther and Eileen collaborated to create the All Arizona Taiko Team, incorporating all the students of the dojo. The Team has grown at one time to a size of 50 performers, incorporating musicians from Tucson, New Mexico, and visiting guest artists from Japan.

Eileen became Executive and Artistic Director of Fushicho Daiko and its teaching dojo/studio in May 2011 upon Esther Vandecar’s retirement.

Music Education

Eileen graduated with honors from Nazareth College of Rochester, New York bachelor’s degree program in Music Education, K-12, and was voted outstanding musician by the music faculty and staff in 1986. Eileen majored in flute with a minor in piano and saxophone. The education program allowed her the opportunity to also learn and teach clarinet, oboe, trumpet, trombone, French horn, and tuba. Eileen taught music in public and private schools, working with inner-city and small-town students as well as children with multiple handicaps.

Eileen completed her Master’s Degree in Deaf Education, K-12 in an innovative joint program through the University of Rochester and the National Technical Institute for the Deaf. Eileen was immediately offered the position of music teacher at Phoenix Day School for the Deaf where she created and implemented a music curriculum for students ages 3-21.

She produced numerous programs and shows including an instrumental band. In the fall of 1992, Eileen incorporated Taiko drumming in an after-school program, led by Esther Vandecar, founder and director of Fushicho Daiko. Eileen assisted Esther in teaching this dynamic art form to students ages 8-15 through her interpreting skills in sign language and expertise in music education. Esther and Eileen worked together at the school until the Spring of 1994 when Eileen went on maternity leave.

Ensemble Experience

In her over 40 years as a musician, Eileen has performed in Taiko ensembles in Arizona and Japan with as many as 80 musicians at one time, accordion ensembles with over 50 musicians from around the United States, band ensembles on flute and saxophone, flute choir, saxophone quartets, vocal choir, orchestra, and folk bands.

Eileen was a member of the folk band The Wilderness Family which produced a CD to much US and UK acclaim. She performed with the group on accordion, flute, and fife at numerous festivals and shows throughout upstate New York for three years.

Eileen is a member of The Pangean Orchestra, a groundbreaking ensemble made up of musicians and music repertoire from around the globe, incorporating her expertise in Taiko, fue, and accordion.

She has accompanied the Grammy-winning Phoenix Boy’s Choir with Fushicho Daiko and performed Taiko with the Phoenix Symphony Orchestra.

Eileen continually strives to expand her knowledge and understanding of music and to share its significance and importance in creating understanding and acceptance among the many people and cultures of the world.

International Artist

Six trips to Japan have allowed Eileen to study Taiko in Hiroshima, Takamatsu, Matsuyama, Sado Island (Kodo’s 25th Anniversary Earth Celebration), Hachijo-jima/Island, and Fukui as well as perform in Matsuyama, Nomura, Takamatsu (Shikoku), Yame (Kyushu), Hachijo-jima and Nagoya, Japan.

She has also taught and performed Taiko in the UNESCO World Heritage City of Lijiang, China.

She has participated in numerous master classes held by leading Taiko experts from throughout the United States and Japan as well as with internationally known Korean group SamulNori on the Korean Changgo drum.

Eileen Morgan Sensei

Accordion

Fushicho Daiko

Music Education

Ensemble Experience

International Artist

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