About Mujō Dream Flight (MDF)
MDF is the artistic vehicle of founding taiko artists Sasen Cain, Yeeman “ManMan” Mui, and Maxyn Rose Leitner. Based in Los Angeles, they collaborate locally and globally with other predominantly trans/non-binary taiko artists, creating both original works and traditional adaptations. MDF’s art centers dance and personal storytelling informed by their specific cultural backgrounds.
This spring, MDF presents its first full length concert in Los Angeles at the Grand Annex, in celebration of Trans Day of Visibility. Entitled, VISIBLE, the show explores how we resist social erasure when our race, gender, class, and disability are all under attack. As the group has expanded, each new member has brought unique perspectives and skillsets, enabling new dimensions of artistic expression. Synthesizing these, VISIBLE aims to equip audiences with the understanding and courage to rebuild a more just society for everyone.
In 2023, MDF organized Blurring the Color Line with Taiko, a well-attended and deeply engaging afternoon arts experience connecting important questions about race, immigration, culture, and American-ness). The event allowed us all to hear from filmmakers, performing artists, community leaders, educators, and ethnomusicologists, as they share their experiences and ideas.
The same year, MDF embarked on its first national tour, called “Haimweh” (Bavarian for homesickness), with the dual aims of highlighting trans/non-binary peoples’ often-fraught connections with their hometowns & families, and a journey of retrieving the belongings of one of our members whose parents don’t accept faer transness, and reclaiming identity, belonging & inter-dependence. This tour was funded, in part, by a Taiko Community Alliance Tier 1 grant.
MDF gave voice to Queer Asian community in LA with our performance at:
- The inaugural Okaeri’s Queer Obon (2023).
- Transforming Community Care: AANHPI LGBTQIA2-S Mental Health and Wellness by LA Department of Mental Health
- Cross cultural solidarity movement, the importance of being with community – FandangObon (2024)
- Fusion, genre – the North American Taiko Conference in Phoenix, AZ (2025).
Please contact us at mujodreamflight@gmail.com or on our Instagram (@mujodreamflight) to donate or request performances. Please support our fundraising campaign: https://www.jotform.com/252075489472163
About guest taiko artist: AKI Oshiro
AKI Oshiro (they/them) is a queer, trans, and non-binary, fourth-generation Japanese Okinawan-American professional taiko artist based in Sacramento and the San Francisco Bay Area. Aki began their taiko journey at age 9 with Kona Daifukuji Taiko in Kona, Hawai’i. From 2001 to 2007, they served as an instructor and touring ensemble member with Portland Taiko while earning a Bachelor’s degree in Music Performance (Percussion) from Portland State University.
From 2007 to 2014, Aki was an instructor and youth programs director at Sacramento Taiko Dan. Currently, they are the founder and Artistic Director of Tsubaki Ensemble, SOKO Taiko, and Queer Taiko, as well as the Creative Director of Placer Ume Taiko. Aki also teaches at San Mateo Buddhist Temple Taiko and is a touring member of Taikoza and Unit Souzou.
Aki has performed and conducted taiko workshops across the U.S. and internationally, including in Canada, Japan, Switzerland, Italy, Russia, Australia, New Zealand, and Colombia.
About Team Taiko: Team Taiko is Grand Vision’s community drumming program taught by ManMan Mui.
This concert is sponsored in part by TaikoVentures and Creative West Tour West Grant.
