When I worked with Obo and Susan Addy to bring their performance aesthetic into my classroom, I attended the remarkable collaboration with Portland Taiko. That ecstatic celebration of the worlds of percussion living in Portland made a deep impression. In addition, Portland Taiko became family as Kelsey Furuta joined Portland Taiko AND married my nephew Brian Sweeney! And Portland Taiko represents the connections of Japanese and other Asian connections deeply entwined in my identity as a “Portlander.” When asked to join the Board, I accepted, realizing that there is so much to learn, so many new peoples’ stories to heard and that the performance culture of Portland Taiko does indeed celebrate and create this city’s identity.

My first experience with taiko was a parent-child workshop led by Karen Tingey when I was 4.5 years old. After several years of classes, I performed with Tanuki Taiko and Portland Taiko at Mochitsuki in 2013. In addition to taiko and piano, I also enjoy playing soccer and curling.

I have been a preschool teacher for 15 years and am a mother of two wonderful kids. Now that both children are away at college, I wanted to give back to my community and joined Portland Taiko’s Board of Directors in April of 2017. I first became involved with Portland Taiko seven years ago when my son, Toshiki, joined their taiko camp for a week. He fell in love with it and through hard work, eventually became a performing member. Being a member of the taiko community as a parent and now as a board member is an absolute joy and a wonderful learning experience.

Eleanor has played taiko since elementary school with En Taiko. She joined Portland Taiko as a trainee in January of 2017.

My first encounter with Portland Taiko was attending their very first concert, and I’ve loved the music ever since. I serve on the Board of Directors, and love being a donor, audience member, and general dogsbody. While now retired, I spent thirty years in early childhood education where I was privileged to see young children experience the excitement of music. One of my favorite taiko experiences was a concert many years ago that featured then Oregon Poet Laureate, Lawson Inada—a great combination of words and music. I live at the Terwilliger Plaza retirement community with my husband of almost 51 years, himself a former drummer. We have 2 children and 7 grandchildren.

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(Executive Director)

When I was a kid, my parents signed me up for classes with San Jose Junior Taiko. Years later, I started playing taiko taiko again with Soh Daiko in New York City. The group demanded an intense work ethic and commitment, but along the way, I experienced joy, pride, and a heart-warming sense of community. Joining Portland Taiko has renewed all of those feelings and I’m thrilled to be working and playing with such an amazing group of people! My greatest achievement has been turning my 4-year-old into a taiko drummer and bon odori enthusiast.

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I first saw taiko at the Cherry Blossom Parade in San Francisco. Big drums and dynamic playing on a float is still a dream I hope Portland Taiko can realize. I was part of the group that created Portland Taiko in 1994. I was intrigued by an art form that expressed cultural pride in a bold, commanding, and joyful way. I have been on the Board of Directors and worked on costumes and sets, but mostly I have been our internal ombudsperson. As a naturally shy person, taiko has helped me grow. One of my favorite memories was playing in the Oregon State Prison for the Asian club. It was very moving to express power and pride to prisoners who might not feel that way in their lives. I am an artist and arts administrator, deeply involved in the local Japanese American community. My husband is very supportive! Both of our sons played taiko and Kenji was one of the original members of PT when he was in high school.

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(Board Treasurer)

I worked in the railroad industry as an engineer, manager, and senior consultant for over forty years. Simultaneously I have supported and advocated for classical music as a board member of All Classical Public Media, Portland Youth Philharmonic, Choral Arts Ensemble, 45th Parallel Chamber Music, and Northwest Piano Trio. I recently joined Portland Taiko’s Board of Directors, but I have been a fan of Portland Taiko since its debut season in 1994. I enjoy the intimate works with taiko and strings, and one of my favorite memories of PT was Ann and Zack performing Confluence together.

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