Carolyn West Whether in the broadcast booth, on the stage, or in the background, music has been part of the soundtrack of Carolyn West’s life since she started playing the xylophone at the age of two. She studied and played classical music throughout her youth, but when she saw her first taiko concert at Zellerbach Hall she was propelled in a new musical direction. In 1998 she joined Emeryville Taiko, and studied and performed extensively with the group for seven years. In 2001, she participated in Rhythmix’s first KASA/MIX Tour to study with KODO in Japan, where she gained new appreciation of the culture and expression of taiko. "The music combines movement, voice and drumming in a visual, audio and visceral experience," she says. "Best of all, it brings people together in a very positive way." She’s thrilled to be a part of the Maze Daiko ensemble, which pays homage to the traditions of taiko and blends the rhythms of the world today.