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Portland Taiko is seeking applications for an Executive Director to lead this dynamic nonprofit performing arts organization as a half-time or full-time employee. The Executive Director will direct and coordinate Portland Taiko’s programs and activities, collaborate with the Board of Directors in strategic and financial planning, maintain and develop the financial resources for the organization’s operations, manage its finances, and collaborate with its artistic leadership team. More information here.
After seven years with Portland Taiko, Executive Director Wynn Kiyama will retire from his position on August 31, 2022 to pursue new opportunities.
Kiyama joined Portland Taiko midway through 2015 during a time of change and challenges. Under his leadership, the organization rebounded with a new base of operations, record-breaking fundraising campaigns, an influx of regional and state grants, six balanced budgets, strong reserve funds, the construction of a festival float, a gala 25th anniversary celebration, and the winning proposal for hosting the biennial North American Taiko Conference.
In addition to these accomplishments, Kiyama developed the vision for “Sound in Motion” with TaikoProject (2016), “Taiko Together” with four Portland-based taiko groups (2017), “Sticks and Strings” with a commission by Kenji Bunch and Fear No Music (2018), the 25th anniversary concert with Tiffany Tamaribuchi, Kenny Endo, and the Kalabharathi School of Dance (2019), and the concert video “Orient, Oregon” with No-No Boy (2020). He curated the museum exhibit “Making Waves: Portland Taiko’s 25th Anniversary” at the Japanese Museum of Oregon, taught online classes during the pandemic, and guided the group back to in-person activities with the development of hybrid stands for tire taiko with engineer Richard Koyama.
“The strength and growth of Portland Taiko can be credited to Wynn’s clarity of vision and thoughtful strategic planning,” says Board Co-President Carolyn Saiget. “He is a dedicated leader who has brought innovative programming, numerous grant acquisitions, new audiences, and helped establish Portland Taiko’s presence in the community.”
For questions on the transition, please contact Lynn Grannan at lynn@portlandtaiko.org. View the full press release here.
Online Taiko 101 Workshop for the Asian American Community
Wednesday, March 30, 7:00 to 8:30 p.m.
Tuition: Free
This workshop is open to all individuals who identify as AAPI (Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders). This is a safe space for AAPI community members to come together, connect, have fun, and learn to play taiko. As incidences of anti-Asian and Pacific Islander violence continue to rise, the emotional turmoil and grief can be overwhelming. Taiko has long been a source of culture, pride, and resistance in the Japanese and Asian American communities. Through taiko, we hope to bring a space to heal and connect with other AAPI community members.
In-Person Taiko 101 Workshop for the Asian American Community
Wednesday, April 6, 7:00 to 9:00 p.m.
Tuition: Free, but donation suggested $10.00 – $35.00
This workshop is open to all individuals who identify as AAPI (Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders). This is a safe space for AAPI community members to come together, connect, have fun, and learn to play taiko. As incidences of anti-Asian and Pacific Islander violence continue to rise, the emotional turmoil and grief can be overwhelming. Taiko has long been a source of culture, pride, and resistance in the Japanese and Asian American communities. Through taiko, we hope to bring a space to heal and connect with other AAPI community members.
Portland Taiko relies on supporters like you. Help us continue our mission to affirm Asian American pride, inspire audiences, build community, and educate about our heritage and culture. Portland Taiko will graciously accept your donation through the following platforms:
On behalf of the Portland Taiko performing group, staff, and Board of Directors, we thank you for your generous support!!!
Thanks to everyone who joined us for our celebratory concert at Oaks Park on Saturday, September 11. It was a significant and meaningful event for us and we were privileged to share our music with you! We’d like to thank all our volunteers, collaborators, performers, board members, and our amazing audience for all your support!!! Pictures to be posted soon.
“Every musician’s story begins with a first instrument, a first note, a first song that sparked their desire to perform and has carried them through their development as an artist.”
The Oregon Symphony just launched Notations, a video series which showcases musicians’ origin stories and shines a light on the rich and complex cultures that have influenced and contributed to the tapestry of music in America. In this video, Keiko Araki shares her experience growing up in Canada and exploring her dual Japanese and Chinese heritage, which deeply shaped her evolution as both a violinist and taiko drummer.