SAORI Magic!

It has been such a long time since last time I blogged.

I feel like I can finally spend time at home this weekend. YEY!

I play Japanese Drum, Taiko and belong to Mu Daiko.

We had our 15th year anniversary concert in St. Paul last month for a weekend.

Then, the next weekend, we shared a stage with special guest artists "Hanayui" and Mr. Fujimoto, a Taiko soloist from a group Kodo, Japan.

We also had Tiffany who is a great Taiko performer and instructor from Sacramento.

I took her Odaiko (Big Drum) intensive last two years in January.

After the concert, we toured in Minnesota.

I was fortunate to go with them as an assistant.

I performed two places for school performances.

I now know Fergus Falls, Grand Marais and Grand Rapids in Minnesota.

I learned a lot about touring and of course, we had a great time!

We came back from the tour on March 4 and I had to switch to SAORI mode next day.

This week and next week, I have been introducing SAORI at an elementary school.

Thank you to the school and VSA Minnesota to make this happen.

I went to this school about 3 years ago to introduce SAORI. The art teacher there invited me.

She and I took intro Taiko class together. That's how we got to know each other. Isn't it interesting?

Anyway, she waited for 3 years to get some fund from VSA.

I finished the first week of residency.

I had some students with difficulties, BUT I didn't know until at the end of the day.

The teacher has been telling me all the stories about children with problems/difficulties.

Though I couldn't tell them at all!

The teacher/a paraprofessional teacher were amazed how their behaviors change when they were weaving. They were focusing, enjoying and showing any behavioral problems.

The teachers said, "It's a MAGIC!"

I had a girl yesterday who didn't show me any good responses.

Whatever I said to her, she said, "I don't know."

Today, the teacher told me about how excited she was to do SAORI weaving.

She jumped off from a school bus and told her mother all about SAORI!!!

She came back today. She wasn't showing her excitement, but I am sure she was excited inside.

I heard that her mom is excited about SAORI, too.

Thank you for as siting me for 3 afternoons, Michelle and thank you for helping me Monica today.

I hope you enjoyed being there. Well, I am sure you did!

Let's enjoy SAORI with children next week, too!

I am looking forward to it already!