Cobu – Drum like Dancing

September 30, 2009 yurinha 1 Comment

Cobu, based in New York City, was created as a Live Rhythm Performing Arts Group in 2000.
Yako Miyamoto, the founder of Cobu is a current member of the off broadway-hit STOMP.
Cobu combines elements of the Japanese traditional Taiko drumming with rhythmic Tap dancing.
The extremely positive impact of the performance has received rave reviews from The New York
Times and The Chicago Sun Times and has touched audiences through major festivals in
Boston and Chicago.

“Dance Like Drumming, Drum Like Dancing”

Cobu’s motto is inspired by the combined sounds of New York and traditional Japanese culture.
Their signature sound is created organically through acoustic instruments, rather than digital
transcription. This juxtaposition of traditional modernity makes them one of the most unique
and original mind-blowing groups of our time. In 2001, Cobu received “Choreography Award”
by an organization Mann & Entertainment. Cobu is now the spotlight of entertainment accepted
not only in United States but other countries such as Japan, Europe and all across Asia.

Yako Miyamoto

Yako Miyamoto is the founder and director of COBU. Yako is the first Japanese cast member in the Off-Broadway hit STOMP. She has been a Japanese Taiko drummer since she was 8 years old and at the age of 10 she was chosen to be an International Goodwill Ambassador between Japan & New Zealand. She majored in Chemistry at Keio University in Japan, during which time she performed as a hip-hop dancer, a musical actress, a percussionist, and gained a black belt in Shoalin Martial Arts.

Yako came to New York and established COBU and has performed here since 1999.

Who would you love to collaborate with?

Yako: Kids in the world.

What do you do in your free time, when you are not drumming?

Yako: Paint in oils.

If you weren’t drumming, you would be ____________

Yako: Biological chemist in a laboratory.

Hana Ogata

Hana Ogata began her training in Jazz dance when she was 10 years old. From there, Hana moved on to the study of Classic Ballet and traditional French dance. At the age 14, she first encountered the art of Tap dance. Hana has had the honor of studying Tap as the direct protégé of Japan’s most famous Tap masters, The Nakano Brothers, performing with them on such shows as the Nakano Brothers 45th Anniversary at Fukuoka City Hall and the Nakano Brothers 50th Anniversary Show at Fukuoka Sunplace Hall.

Hana won the prestigious “Big Audition Prize” held at the Fukuoka Dome. Since moving to New York City in 1999, she studied Funk Tap at the Broadway Dance Center.

How did you join the group COBU?

Hana: I am one of original members. I met Yako at tap studio,1999.

Who are your influences?

Hana: Savion Grover

What do you do in your free time, when you are not drumming?

Hana: I love to cook.

How did you get into drumming?

Hana: When I saw Yako’s drumming, I got a really great impression.

If you weren’t drumming, you would be ____________

Hana: An archeologist or house wife?

Yuki Yamamori

Yuki Yamamori was born in Fukuoka, Japan. She’s danced since she was 8 years old. At 10 she became a member of the Children’s Theatrical Company.

How did you join the group?

Yuki: I saw Cobu’s show at Japan and felt so cool.

Who are your influences?

Yuki: Yako Miyamoto

Who would you love to collaborate with?

Yuki: A lot of kids.

What do you do in your free time, when you are not drumming?

Yuki: I play basketball.

How did you get into drumming?

Yuki: Just because I love the beats!

If you weren’t drumming, you would be ____________

Yuki: A Doctor.

Haruna Hisada

Haruna Hisada was born in Aichi. She has been dancing since she was 15 years old. She performed at many stages as a dancer, teacher and choreographer in Japan. Since she was 9, she started Martial arts and received a black belt when she was 11. She won many prizes including the World Championship Tournament. In 2006, she moved to New York. She joined COBU OWN SHOW as a support member in the same year. Her performance is really remarkable as the newest member of COBU.

How did you join the group?

Haruna: I saw COBU’s Own Show in 2006 and I was excited.

Who are your influences?

Haruna: Yako Miyamoto

What do you do in your free time, when you are not drumming?

Haruna: Work on the skill of the dance.

How did you get into drumming?

Haruna: Because I like drumbeats.

If you weren’t drumming, you would be ____________

Haruna: A Dancer

Nozomi Gunji

Nozomi Gunji was born in Chiba, Japan. She began studying dance when she was only 3 years old. She has experiences of jazz dance, ballet, modern dance, tap dance and voice training. She belonged to Super Eccentric Theatre as an actress for 4 years and she played leading roles on stage, television, and film. She moved to New York in 2004 and met COBU. Since then, she has been performing as a member.

How did you join the group?

Nozomi: I was a student of the COBU Tap class, and interested in drumming too.

Who are your influences?

Nozomi: Yako Miyamoto

Who would you love to collaborate with?

Nozomi: Different people who playing different percussions.

What do you do in your free time, when you are not drumming?

Nozomi: I love to sing.

How did you get into drumming?

Nozomi: I was fascinated with the rhythm made by Yako Miyamoto.

If you weren’t drumming, you would be ____________

Nozomi: I cannot imagine this.

Micro Fukuyama

Hiroko Micro Fukuyama was born in Osaka, and she started her dancing career at age 3. She came to NY in 2004 to improve her skill in dance. The following year, she started performing as a COBU member. She tries to express pleasure of dancing on stage in every show.