In the Tune of Art

Taiko & World Drum Beats ‒ Join the Rhythm
wednesday, january 28, 2026
7:00-8:30PM
ADMISSION IS FREE,  RSVP REQUIRED (CLICK HERE)

Why not music inspired by art while surrounded by art? In this series, In the Tune of Art, we select music that matches the theme and artwork of the current exhibition and invite you to enjoy the melody in that environment. Musicians will also give special perform improvised performances inspired by the art. Musicians will also give special perform improvised performances inspired by the art.
For this fifth session, held in conjunction with the current exhibition Package Craft: From Candy Box to Sculpture, a Los Angeles–based Japanese musician, Ryoji Inatsugi, will lead a special percussion performance.
The program features a variety of instruments, including Japanese taiko drums, African and Latin American drums, the Okinawan sanshin, a xylophone and so on. Participants will also be invited to join in and experience playing the instruments together.
Join us in discovering the joy of creating art from “boxes” through sound and shared experience!

PERFORMER:

Ryoji Inatsugi
Ryoji Inatsugi is a musician, educator, and world musical instruments and hand percussion, Born in Japan in 1976. He has been learning many kinds of musical instruments and drums since his young age such as Japanese Taiko drumming, Okinawa Sanshin, Balinese Gamelan, Guitars and others. Moved to Los Angeles in 2001, start performing with local musicians, as he working in the Japanese Sushi restaurant. 2005, He started working at Motherland Music in Inglewood California as a hand percussion tech, learned African drumming and drum making. He started teaching music at a preschool in Westchester Los Angeles as his first child start attending there in 2011. Since then, He has been teaching early music education in local preschools and facilities as his new profession. He went to West Africa Mali in 2018, learned African Xylophone it’s called “Balafon” brought it back to Los Angeles, Introducing Balafon to young children in the Community since. Currently Ryoji (as Mr. Smiley) is hosting weekly Facebook Live of UCLA recreation summer camp virtual drum circle. Introducing to elementary kids hand percussions and drumming with world music, also DIY musical instruments making. Also he has a band is called “Party at Motherland” streaming music and videos through YouTube and SoundCloud. https://ryojimusic.com