El Marino Rainbow Taiko

El Marino Rainbow Taiko was established in the mid-'90s by Etsuo Hongo. Rainbow Taiko is known to be one of the first after-school taiko programs in Los Angeles, giving the students the opportunity to learn taiko. Rainbow Taiko's drums were handmade by parent volunteers and are still used in the program to this day. In 2007 Hongo Sensei's daughter, Tomomi, took over the program and expanded where middle schoolers and high schoolers can learn taiko. Rainbow Taiko has performed at the California Distinguished School Awards and various community events in the greater Los Angeles area. The program is currently instructed by Tomomi Hongo and Morris Ellis, and supported by Advocates for Language Learning El Marino (ALLEM) and parent volunteers.