Welcome Back!
We are thrilled to share that not only did we return to full studio practices this month, we are also welcoming a former member's return!
Jenn Macneil was a long-time member, performing with us for seven years before retiring in 2014 to focus on family. She says, "I have really missed playing taiko and being part of an ensemble, and I found myself thinking about it more and more over time - especially during this past year. Life is too short not to play taiko." We feel the same way, particularly after a long year of not being able to practice together.
Over the winter, Jenn began joining us for online gatherings and small-group practices to brush up on performance pieces and begin to learn new material that was not in our repertoire when she was first in the group. Upon returning to the studio this month, she finally got her chance to audition and officially re-join the group. The audition process can be nerve-wracking - even for seasoned players - but she notes how much more comfortable she felt playing compared to her first audition.
Left: Behind her mask, a happy Jenn smiles post-audition.
When we asked Jenn what she was most excited about with her return, the answer was obvious - playing taiko in an ensemble again! Then she added, "I'm also looking forward to learning all the new songs the group has added over the last seven years. I'm so impressed with how much we've grown and how talented everyone is."
Join us at an upcoming performance to see Jenn back in action!