1987年より和太鼓集団「鼓童」の中心的プレーヤーとして20年間活動。
作曲、編曲、演出、音楽監督（坂東玉三郎演出”アマテラス”など）も手掛けた。
2007年独立。世界6大陸41ヵ国にて演奏する。
これら3つのスタイルで、高い音楽性と柔軟な感性を表現している。
独自のデザインによるチャッパ（日本の小型シンバル）のオリジナル奏法は、和太鼓アンサンブルに革新をもたらし、2009年、全国初となる教則DVDをリリース。
ワークショップは、他に類を見ない“ゆるみ打法”を中心に、演奏技術やアンサンブル、また太鼓を使わないワークも行う。
心身の探求に基づく内容は、体感を通した多くの気づきがあり、太鼓未経験者からダンサー、アクターなど各界プロや教師まで、国内外の高い評価を得ている。
From 1987, Ryutaro Kaneko spent twenty years performing as a core member of taiko performing arts ensemble Kodo. In addition to performing, he was a key figure in both composing and arranging pieces for the Kodo stage and recordings, and held the positions of music director (Tamasaburo Bando’s “Amaterasu,” etc) and artistic director in the group. He left the ensemble in 2007 to become a solo artist. He has performed in forty one countries on six continents.
His solo performances convey the various emotions within the taiko. His unit seeks unknown forms of musical expression.His onstage jam sessions with music, dance and art around the world go beyond any genre.With these three styles, he expresses his high musicality and flexible sensibilities.
His original playing method of the chappa (small Japanese cymbals) that he designed himself was an innovation in taiko ensemble performance. In 2009, he released the first instructional DVD for chappa in Japan.
His workshops are centered on his unique Yurumi-daho (relaxation drumming form) and he teaches performance technique, ensemble playing, and even workshops that do not use taiko. The content is based on a mind & body quest that lets participants make numerous realizations through experience. His workshops are highly praised both in Japan and internationally and his students range from taiko novices to professionals and teachers in an array of art genres including acting and dance.