Wanda and Taiko I have been a member of Wadaiko Newark for about seven years. I became interested in Taiko a few years prior when I experienced the youth group of my Buddhist organization playing Taiko. I then saw Kodo, one of the premiere groups in Japan, playing on the local PBS station a few years later. A friend bought me a dvd of their performance and I was so excited! After watching them play, I was compelled to want to play along with the dvd. So my friend suggested that I look around to see if I could join a local group. I found out that one of my colleagues at work belonged to a local Taiko group, Emeryville Taiko. I emailed them but they were not accepting new students. However, I was encouraged to contact Wadaiko Newark. When I called, I said I was concerned that I wouldn’t be allowed to participate because I was around 50 years old. The person on the other end, Sue Eustice, laughed and said to come to the class anyway. Little did I know that Wadaiko has some very mature players. I visited my first class and I was hooked! It is now my pleasure to perform regularly with the group at many different venues. I also have participated in workshops with San Francisco Taiko, San Jose Taiko Dojo and Emeryville Taiko. I also went to Grass Valley Taiko Camp and loved it! I love playing Taiko because I am encouraged to push myself by learning songs requiring difficult rhythms and memorization of multiple parts in one song. There are times when I am frustrated but once I get it and play that song, especially a really hard song, I am so jazzed! I attend class about three times a week. It is also a challenge due to the fact that I live about an hour away. But it’s worth it because I can play the drum and push myself expanding my creativity and abilities. Taiko, just like Buddhism, is my life. Cordially, Wanda Kurtcu 'The voice does the Buddha's work. Nam myoho renge kyo' |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
| Wanda Kurtcu Member Wadaiko Newark since March 2010 |
| VISIT OTHER PLAYERS Alexis Andrea Bonnie Brian Cliff Greg Jo Joan Marie Peter Pat Sue Susie Takako Terry |
| Copyright 2007-2014 All rights reserved. |
| NEWARK |
| WADAIKO |
