photo by Tomoaki Kirino
Eileen Morgan has a B.S. Degree in Music Education,
K-12 and a Master's Education Degree in Deaf Education, K-12 and has taught in public, private and special needs schools since 1986. Eileen began studying Taiko in 1992 with Esther Vandecar, founder and director of Fushicho Daiko/Phoenix Drummers as part of Esther's long term residency at Phoenix Day School for the Deaf.
As the music teacher for hearing impaired and deaf students at PDSD, Eileen sign language interpreted for Esther and helped teach Taiko to the students. Eileen quickly fell under the spell of taiko and joined Fushicho Daiko as a performer and instructor in 1994. Since then, the group has traveled throughout Arizona and the Southwest, bringing high energy performances and residencies to tens of thousands of children and adults.
Fushicho Daiko: Top: Eileen Morgan, middle row: Tony Trapasso, Marsha Robb, Ken Koshio, bottom: Esther Vandecar, founder and director photo by Bart Newman
Eileen became director of Fushicho Daiko in May 2011 upon Esther Vandecar's retirement and the group continues to perform throughout Arizona and the Southwest. Arizona residencies include Nogales, Phoenix, Yuma, Williams, Bull Head City, as well as Lubbock, Texas. Fushicho Daiko continually collaborates with numerous Arizona Commission on the Arts roster artists and groups throughout the state.
Expanding as a soloist in 2001, Eileen has performed and taught in festivals, school residencies (Estrella Mountain Elementary; Spring 2003, Washington Elementary, Summers 2004-2011, Mercury Mine Elementary; Spring 2007, Orangewood Elementary; Fall 2007, Wilson Elementary, Summer 2011, Hancock Elementary, Chandler, Spring 2012) , summer school, after school, juvenile correctional facilities and library programs throughout Arizona.
For a full listing of Taiko work as a soloist please see "Past Programs".
Eileen has been on the Arizona Commission on the Arts Roster
with Fushicho Daiko since 1997 and as a soloist since 2001.
See the following links for Commission approved programs;
Education Based Programs http://roster.azarts.gov/index.a4d?action=search.profilePage&sid=1e87cf6d31984f416257e68b4f00a634&Unique=5894106166&id=4974&page=1
Community Based Programs http://roster.azarts.gov/index.a4d?action=search.profilePage&sid=1e87cf6d31984f416257e68b4f00a634&Unique=5892934059&id=4974&page=1
photo by Murray Writtle
International Travel/Study
Japan, July-August 2009
Performance in Matsuyama, Shikoku: 30 Anniversary of Iyonokuni Suigun Daiko Compositions. 600 performers from throughout Ehime Prefecture participated
Performance at Imabari Festival with Kokyo Taiko
Performance at Dogo Onsen
Master Classes with Tauchi, Miyagawa, Kono, Takeuchi Sensei
Master Classes with Hiroshima Taiko Hozonkai and Munakata Sensei
Japan, August 2007.
Performance in Nagoya with Fushicho Daiko, August 15
Taiko study at Kodo's Earth Celebration, August 17-19
Master classes with Sensei Masaaki Kurumaya, Fukuii, August 21-23
Participation in Ogi Matsuri, Sado Island, August 28-30
China, June 2007.
Second Lijiang Cultural Exchange Tour. American Artists from Arizona and New York participate in a three week exchange of artistic ideas and techniques with the artists of Lijiang. Field Trips to Shangri-La Tibet, Baisha Village, Lugu Lake
China, June 2006.
Coordinated and organized, with Tony Trapasso of Fushicho Daiko,
the First Lijiang Cultural Exchange Tour.
Taiko students from Phoenix, Arizona traveled to
Lijiang, China, a 900 year old UNESCO World Heritage Site City.
Taiko classes taught by Eileen and Tony.
Performances:
Naxi People's Museum of History and Artifacts, Opening Ceremony
Lijiang Men's Prison, First American Group allowed into the Prison,
performance for 1,000 inmates
Japan and China, June-July 2002.
Leader of WYVEA Cultural Exchange Tour.
Led a group of American professional, students throughout Japan
as well as Beijing and Xian, China.
Studied wind instruments with professional instructors in Japan and China
Japan, June-July 2001.
Co-leader of WYVEA (World Youth Visit Exchange Association)
International Cultural Exchange Tour.
Co-led a group of American professionals and students to several cities in Japan.
Studied and performed Taiko in Yame, Nagoya, Hiroshima.
additional teaching experiences
Phoenix Day School for the Deaf, September 1990 - April 1994, music teacher
K-12, instrumental music program, grades 4 - 12. Developed and implimented music curriculum for hearing-impaired, deaf and multi-handicapped children, ages 5-21. Developed and directed numerous holiday and end of year productions.
After school Taiko program, led by Esther Vandecar, October 1992 - April 1994
SummerArtsSedona Summer Camp, June-July 1992-1996 residential camp for deaf and hearing impaired 7-18 year olds. Taught general music and Taiko.
Instrumental Music Teacher, September 1987- August 1990.
Rochester, New York. Self employed teacher of 90 students a week on
woodwinds, brass, percussion, piano, accordion.
Sodus Elementary School, September 1986 - June 1987.
Sodus, New York. Grades 4 - 6 classroom music, instrumental, band and choir director.
Education
National Technical Institute for the Deaf/University of Rochester,
New York, Master’s Degree in Deaf Education K-12. 1988-1990
Nazareth College of Rochester, New York
B.S. Degree in Music Education K-12, 1982-1986, cum laude.
Major in Flute, minor in saxophone and piano.
Outstanding musician, class of 1986
Skills
Proficient in American Sign Language and German. Taiko instructor.
Music educator for deaf, hearing impaired and multi-handicapped, special needs
and at-risk children.
photo by Tomoaki Kirino photo by Emma Sansone photo by Tomoaki Kirino
Instruments
Japanese: Taiko (drum), fue, shakuhachi, horagai (wind instruments)
Chinese: dizi, xun, bawu, xiou (wind instruments)
Korean: Changgo (drum)
Australian/Aboriginal: didgeridoo
Western: accordion, flute, saxophone, piano, trumpet, clarinet, french horn
To do/learn list: bag pipes
Personal
Eileen has been married since 1989 to Patrick Morgan, a karate instructor specializing in Okinawan Martial arts and self defense for adults and children.
Daughter: plays flute, Taiko, piano, saxophone
Son: plays trumpet, piano, soccer