I lucked into being a founding member of Portland Taiko while in high school. My mother, Valerie Otani, was a pivotal piece in getting the group started and I was just along for the ride. Portland Taiko quickly began developing into something much more than just a community performing group, with lengthy group discussions about what it meant to be loud, assertive, exuberant taiko performers, especially when we weren’t cis straight white men. What were the roles of white performers? What WAS Portland Taiko and what did we want it to be? Despite being one of two high school students in the group my opinion was always sought out and considered. Being in Portland Taiko helped shape me as a human. Although I haven’t been a member for decades I’ve always been around Portland Taiko and I’m hopeful I can help the group make the world better for everyone who interacts with it.