Date: Spring 2000
Source: Odaiko

School Outreach Program Awarded Grant Money

Our warmest "THANK YOU!" to Randy Okamura and the External Affairs Staff at Pacific Bell for presenting San Jose Taiko with $9,500.00 in support of our School Outreach programs. A public announcement of this unexpected award was made at the Shinnen-kai fundraiser held at the beginning of the year. The grant will be used to upgrade our sound equipment, and in the research and development of new educational materials.

Despite expanding schedule demands, we have successfully continued to visit a minimum of 30 bay area schools annually, as well as having increased our residency, school outreach, and family programs when we're on tour. Due to the success of these programs, we were recently given the opportunity to showcase our touring school outreach program at Showcase 2000 - International Showcase of Performing Arts for Young People. SJT was one of the few regional artists included in an international roster invited to perform for presenters from across the nation.

Look for us this year at these local schools: Crista McCauliffe, Capri Elementary, Easterbrook Elementary, Laneview Elementary, Lakewood Elementary, Sisk Elementary, Ballico, Del Roble, Rodgers Middle, Cabrillo Middle, Foothill High (Pleasanton and San Jose), Oak Avenue, Keys, Hacienda Elementary, William Burnett, Los Cerritos, Castro, Loma Prieta Elementary, Alta Vista, Prospect High, Gunn High, San Francisco Day, and Randall Elementary.

By Yumi Ishihara