I was recently recommended and accepted as a Student Ambassador in People to People International and will be representing our Country in Japan this summer!
Since 1956, People to People has been dedicated to promoting world peace and cultural understanding through meaningful personal interactions. Their programs offer students, athletes, educators, and professionals the opportunity to truly affect positive change for themselves, for others, and for the world.
As I continue to study Taiko with sensei Takemasa Ishikura from Matsuriza, and study the Japanese language, I am also working on raising funds for the tuition.
Between my flights, travel in Japan, food, and more, the trip will cost about $7,500.
I am working hard to raise the money and have designed a few items that I can print on a shirt, bag, button, mousepad or mug for you. On the next pages are my Japan Trip Designs
I can place any peice of artwork on a Shirt, Mug, Mousepad, Button, Shoulder Bag or Book bag. If you see something you would like made, or would like to commission an original Please "Contact Me" to discuss the Artwork that you would like to have...
As the summer of 2011 gets closer there are many things to do to prepare. We had our first gathering of Student Ambassadors at this years Orlando Japan Festival. There were amazing events and experiences such as taiko performances (My Dojo Performed!), Koto (Japanese harp player), traditional Japanese Dance, Candy Art, the age-old iconic Tea Ceremony, Japanese Calligraphy (shodo), many Japanese Food Stalls to explore, browse, shop and more. I for one had a great time and look forward to my adventure to the;
What is Taiko?
Traditionally, the Japanese word, "tai-ko" (literally "drum") has been used during small town festivals and religious ceremonies. Drums of some sort are found in every country and culture of the world. Through the music of the drum, we can see and feel the faces of people, different customs and their history.
The history of Taiko, Japanese Drumming, goes back centuries. It began in religious ceremonies, in the Shrines and changed throughout the years. Drums were used in festivals to pray for rain and crops, even by soldiers in the battlefield. Since the ancient times, people expressed the sounds of nature, such as wind, water, fire, and so on, with Taiko.
Over the last few years, I have had the opportunity to study Taiko with the Orlando Taiko Dojo under Sensei Takemasa Ishikura of Matsuriza.
In 1983, a leading Taiko group in Japan came to the United States to perform at Disney's EPCOT Pavilion and formed Kanto-abare-daiko. In 1998, Sensei Takemasa formed Matsuriza. Playing traditional music as well as self composed arrangements, they continue to perform in Walt Disney World and various countries for cultural events today.
On the next few pages, please enjoy a couple of my performances and my teachers at their best!
I am working hard on commissions and talking with local business owners to help me raise the funds for my trip. If you would like to help please make a donation today
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