Art Lee is originally from the USA, but has become a highly respected taiko performer and teacher based in Japan, as the first & only person to be awarded an artist visa by the Japanese government as a professional taiko artist. He is also the only non-Japanese person to win first place in the Odaiko competition at the prestigious Tokyo International Taiko Contest.

Art Lee was previously a member of Ondekoza, touring with them throughout the world, and was also given the title of "Taiko Master" by Grandmaster Daihachi Oguchi.

The workshop was organised in conjunction with the Tokara performance as part of the Edinburgh Fringe. The workshop introduced the highly energetic Tokara style, from "hip-up" taiko incorporating aerobic exercise with taiko, to the "stair-master", an exercise for playing multiple drums.