Taiko in your community
Share taiko drumming in your community
Sharing taiko drumming in your community is an enriching, rewarding and wonderful experience. Residential homes, adults with special needs, people at risk of isolation, WI meetings, community events - all benefit from our volunteers sharing the invigorating joy of taiko drumming.
Happi Beats was set-up in response to a want for taiko to be shared with people in our community who could benefit from taiko drumming.
We can visit your community or work setting. We ask for a small donation for one-off visits. Ongoing classes can be arranged in some areas.
“Thanks for a lovely set of sessions – we’ve all enjoyed them very much and we love the piece we’ve created.”
Jane Williams,
Turning Tides Founder
“We had really great feedback from our dancers about the drumming. They loved it. They said that if you ever wanted to come back and do it again, they are keen!”
Founder,
Dance for Parkinsons, Exeter
“I think you could tell how much it meant to everyone to experience your performance, and to join in. Your team had a great rapport with the residents, please pass on our thanks."
Volunteer,
Residential home, Devon
We have been delivering workshops in the community since 2014.
Active Devon, Cornwall Music Hub, Daisi (2014-2018), Dance for Parkinsons, Exeter (2019), Devon Recovering Learning Centre, Wild Things project, Efford Youth & Community Centre, Eggbuckland Deaf Education Centre for young people (2024), Embercombe, Devon (2014-2018), EXIM dance, (2018), Fostering Team Mid & South Devon (2018), Hart Care Residential Home, Yelverton (2024 & 2025), LIFEBeat Youth camps (2014 & 2015), Marjon College, Plymouth (2018), NATSPEC games (2018 & 2019), NSPCC (2019), On the Hill, (2017–present), Torbay Youth Service (2022), Turning Tides Project, Crediton (2015 & 2016), Willows Childcare Service, Collumpton (2014-2016), Women’s Institute (2015-17)
Bring taiko into your community
2,186
hours teaching in the community
71
hours of performances
12, 325
young people learned
to drum
Meet the team
Linda Cameron
Happi Beats Lead
Having played taiko both in the UK and internationally, she has a natural stage-presence and exudes energy and joy in all her work. A former physiotherapist, Linda is now a Psychotherapeutic Counsellor, delivering training in Stress Management. Linda’s work as a psychosocial practitioner is proving to be a powerful element on the corporate team wellness work that Taiko journey offers.
Julie Vaughan
Happi Beats Leader
Julie is.....
Tina McGahey
Happi Beats Leader
Tina has.....
Meet the team
HJ Brunskill
Founder & Director
HJ has studied with global taiko pioneers, and connected with taiko groups around the world. She is passionate about taiko inspiring positive personal development and teaches with a spirit of adventure, awareness and compassion. HJ has spent a long time in SEND music education, and is a qualified Early Years music educator.
Ruth Janssen
Associate Session Lead
Ruth is a London Contemporary Dance School alum, danced and choreographed professionally for two decades, notably with Scottish Dance Theatre and working with many of the UK's leading dance artists and touring globally. After relocating to Devon and starting a family, she discovered a love for Taiko drumming, finding rhythm, community, and joy. A qualified yoga teacher, Ruth also leads Thula Mama groups and co-directs The Hall Exeter.
Sarah Mc Lintock
Associate Session Lead
Having previously danced American tribal style belly dance in a collective, Sarah loves the challenge and aesthetic of taiko’s rhythm and movement. Sarah has been playing taiko on and off since 2011 and had a couple of baby bumps along the way. Taiko is her happy place and is a key part of helping her to maintain good mental health.
Sarah is also a qualified teacher, with a passion for personal, social and health education.
Linda Cameron
Associate Session Lead
Having played taiko both in the UK and internationally, she has a natural stage-presence and exudes energy and joy in all her work. A former physiotherapist, Linda is now a Psychotherapeutic Counsellor, delivering training in Stress Management. Linda’s work as a psychosocial practitioner is proving to be a powerful element on the corporate team wellness work that Taiko journey offers.