Once a Genki Sister always a Genki Sister: Our Alumni
MaryAnn Hibino
Passion/Work outside Genki: I am a quasi- retired physical therapist specializing in geriatric rehab. I love spending time with family and thoroughly enjoy every moment with my grandson, Max. On a good day, I may find myself working out in the gym, practicing Yoga, hiking or playing tennis.
Key identities: I was born in the Philippines and landed in Massachusetts via Ohio and Illinois. I am a mother to 3 sons and Lola (grandmother) to Max. Favorite thing about being a member: Outside of my family, The Genki Spark is the only group of Asian women I see on a regular basis. It's a wonderful feeling to come to a space where I don't need to give any explanations to exist. I am accepted for who I am. As is. Inspirational moment: Everytime I stepped outside my comfort zone, whether it's performing a Matsuri solo, telling my story during a gig, or attending a Taiko Baka workshop with Tiffany Tamaribuchi, I feel empowered. Favorite memory: Our Annual Retreat. We laughed, we cried. Sometimes even at the same time. Most of all we were unafraid to be ourselves, to be vulnerable..... because it was safe to do so. |
Lily-Nou Bradtke
Passion/Work outside Genki: I work at a bread bakery in Waltham. I am also a student at Minuteman Tech where I study culinary arts.
Key identities: Cambodian Favorite thing about being a member: The Genki Spark is a place where I can truly be myself and be vunerable. I find out a lot about myself when talking to other members and I feel safe to share thoughts or ideas with them. The support that is here is amazing and beautiful. I also am able to take what I learn in Genki and i appy it to my life. For example when im asked to do a presentation at school, I find that a very great opportunity to execute stage presence and expressing myself in a way in which the audience can connect or learn with me. I have also realized that nobody is perfect and all we can do is be fully who we are and never apologize for it! Inspirational moment: I think my favorite moment in Genki was at our Making Women's History month gig when I was speaking about my adoption, and after the show, someone came up to me and told me they were also adopted and they felt insired and touched by my speech. Favorite memory: My favorite genki memory is watching videos of myself or of shows where we have really funny bloopers! hahahaha |
Lisa Liang Philpotts
Passion/Work outside Genki: Health and healthcare, libraries, the expression of ethnicity/culture through food, strength training, appreciating nature, motorcycle rides with my honey, being an unapologetic introvert.
Key identities: White English. Malaysian Chinese. Hakka. An immigrant. Southern. American! Favorite thing about being a member: The sisterhood accepts me for who I am and I know that I always have 20 other fierce Genki sisters to back me, both inside and outside of the dojo. Genki has helped me find my voice- the voice I need to share my experiences and claim my identities AND the voice I need to use to advocate for others. Inspirational moment: The first time a youth approached me after a show and thanked me for telling my story because it resonated with her, as another mixed race person. It is always beautiful when connections like that are made between people, when the wall between "performers" and the "audience" is torn down. Favorite memory: Performing our "Who Am I? What Am I?" spoken word piece at our 5th anniversary Making Womens History event with Payal, Kumiko and Lee Ann. |
Kanoelani Pilobello
Passion/Work outside Genki: I’m passionate about science, traveling, learning new things and positively contributing to my many communities. Outside of Genki, I am a postdoctoral researcher working on cellular and molecular aspects of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. I have always been curious and loved learning new things, so I’m lucky to be able to keep doing those things professionally. In spite of how busy my life can be, I am actually also a guilt-free lounger and socializer.
Key identities: Japanese/Filipina, Nerd, nomad, global orphan (Giant Robot Magazine changed my life) Favorite thing about being a member: Having live in Paris, France for several years, I don’t think an organization like this would exist in Europe. The Genki spark unites women across Asian backgrounds and age. Outside of the U.S., I normally tell people that I was born in Hawaii because many people (and I’ve met people from every inhabited continent) cannot understand how I can be Filipina, Japanese and American. A lot of people want to put you in a box with a label that they understand and that’s what makes the Genki Spark different. We embrace the uniqueness of everyone’s identities and make the effort to educate people on those differences through performance. It’s inspiring to perform with these amazing and dedicated women. Inspirational moment: Understanding the impact of being Genki (happy, healthy) on other communities has been really striking to me. I love that we are always trying to find common ground while appreciating differences. Favorite memory: My favorite memories are from how supportive we all are through rehearsals. We can laugh at our own mistakes (usually, that’s me) and encourage each other to get better. |
Mayuko Yamamoto
Passion/Work outside Genki: One passion I have outside of Genki is karate which connects a lot with taiko. I'm a student working towards a college degree and hope to achieve it.
Key identities: First generation Japanese, daughter of an immigrant mother, karate-ka. Favorite thing about being a member: My favorite part is being able to connect with different kinds of people that I might not have been able to connect to if I hadn't joined. I've never been part of an organization like this and and never in my life would i have thought that i would be able to be surrounded by amazing asian women. It's nice to have people who can relate to certain situations that asian women face. Inspirational moment: I think every time that we have each other's backs is an inspirational moment for me. I've never been part of an organization like this where everyone is so supportive and I personally grew up feeling like I had to do everything on my own. So every time I see someone reassuring someone or backing them up on anything, for me, it's very inspirational. Favorite memory: My favorite Genki moment is the smile I see on kids faces after they finish AP (Audience Participation.) |
Lee Ann Teylan
Passion/Work outside Genki: I'm passionate about data. Numbers excite me, and I use that passion at work where I'm a public health clinical research coordinator. There's nothing like using empircal data to affect change in the world. My interests are in health disparaties that impact marginalized communities. Outside of numbers, I also love photography; I see the world through my camera lens and am always thinking of ways to capture the beauty around me in a photo.
Key identities: I'm a queer, first generation, Filipina-American raised in New York City. Favorite thing about being a member: The personal stories, the diverse life experiences, the way we hold a space for each of us to be exactly who we are and discover who we are, and how we are able to learn from each other and find inspiration from one another. Inspirational moment: Karen often says that by sharing our stories, we make space for others to do the same -- this never felt more real when I proudly claimed all my identities at Boston's Youth Pride to rousing cheers. It was so healing for me to be held with that much support. Favorite memory: Experiencing the energy we're able to create at our Making Women's History event, and witnessing the audience be moved to both laughter and tears by our message and music. |
The Genki Teens was a class of young Asian women ages 13-19 gathered to build a sisterhood while learning Genki repertoire and developing their own creative pieces. Unfortunately we are not able to offer a Genki Teens class at this time.
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Nancy Funn, Mayuko Yamamoto, Susanna Elledge, Jennifer Moy, Lily-Nou Bradtke, and Selina Wan.
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Teresa Reiko Perales
Key identities: A multi-ethnic, Japanese, Mexican, Queer, Radical Loving, Ally, Revolutionary Womyn of Color. Sister, daughter.
Inspirational moment: Having very intentional conversations around transgender inclusivity at Genki was powerful for me. To be able to learn and grow together in such an honest and loving way showed me the kind of impact we can make in our greater community. Favorite memory: My favorite Genki memory was when my Nana (my Japanese grandmother), met The Genki Spark at The World Taiko Gathering in Los Angeles. Since then, whenever we talk on the phone or in person, she asks how everyone is doing and tells me to tell them hello! |
Jenny Robertson
Day Job: Master of Coin, critical thinker
"'What are you?": A 1st generation Taiwanese-Chinese American; inspired by the courage of the women in my life. Why I decided to do this project: From the first time I watched taiko, i was attracted to the physical challenges of the art form; I was in awe of the gracefulness and ferocity coupled with the musical aspect, I knew i had to try it! Best of all, I get to play with The Genki Spark! |
Lynn Niizawa
Day job: After years living abroad working for the UN, I’m now a PhD student in philosophy
"What are you?": 3rd-generation (Sansei) Japanese-American Why I decided to do this project: I love taiko! I love the way it combines a soulful beat, rigorous discipline, joyful energy and dance-like grace. And I deeply respect the mission of this troupe, its amazing members, and our cheerful, intrepid and indomitable Artistic Director, Karen Young! |
Deena Young
Day job: Bean-counter at the most awesome car sharing company ever!
"What are you?": 3rd generation chinese/japanese mix with a slurry of everything in between. Why I decided to do this project: I like things that go BOOM! BOOM! BOOM! After taking one class with Karen I finally understood why she loves taiko so much. Now I am hooked, and I can make some noise! |
Sunmin Ahn
Day Job: Biomedical engineer obsessing over detecting DNA and protein
"What are you?:" A lucky woman rich with good food with drinks, great music, and beautiful people in her life. Why I decided to do this project: Cuz drumming kicks ass! |
Eva Loh
Day job: A high school student
"What are you?": I am 100% Second Generation Malaysian Chinese American Why I decided to do this project: I love the art form and energy of taiko. I hope that i could empower myself and gain confidence through learning taiko because the loudness of taiko really made me feel powerful. Also, i want to learn more of how to be genki with all these wonderful women. |
Elaine Yoneoka
Day Job: A visual artist and musician
'What are you?': 100% second and a half generation Japanese American Why I decided to do this project: I enjoy playing taiko, to connect with an Asian community, and to support efforts to promote positive affirmative images of Asian women. |
Nancy Wong
Day job: Mild Mannered Female Clark Kent
"What are you?": Content, yet open to adventure and enlightenment. Why I decided to do this project: Why watch from the sidelines when you can get in the game and play? Laura Misumi
"What are you?:" 100% 4th generation Yonsei Japanese American, law school student at Northeastern University School of Law, sports superfan (Hail to the Victors!), hungry generally
Why i decided to do this project: I strongly believe in the Genki Spark's mission, and love learning to be a performance artist! (Also, who wouldn't love making loud, soul-shaking music by using large wooden bachi to hit such beautiful(ly cacophonous) drums?!) |
Van Lee
Day job: Working with college students
"What are you?": 1.5 generation Chinese American (Asian American). Why I decided to do this project: I have always loved the high energy of taiko so when I heard about this, I couldn't wait to rock out and be LOUD with these awesome Asian American women! Lianna Kushi
Day job: Empowering entrepreneurs in Lowell and Lawrence
"What are you?": A big sister and daughter Why I decided to do this project: To play taiko and surround myself with bad-ass, strong, powerful women! |
Gertrude Wallis
Day job: Always changing and evolving
"What are you?": Half Japanese (Okinawan), half American renaissance woman. Why I decided to do this project: I love taiko! I am very fortunate to have just spent some time with the Japanese group KODO on Sado Island. Their philosophy is that taiko can help to bring about understanding and world peace through its language. How cool is that?! |
Jenny Tsai
Day job: Educating flocks of adolescent youth and trying to get them to like math
"What are you?": M.I.T. (Made in Taiwan) / 1st generation Chinese Why I decided to do this project: Because taiko ROCKS! It empowers, builds strength, tones arms, tightens abs, sharpens discipline, helps my [lack of] rhythm, and brings amazing people together. Plus, it's super fun and serves as the perfect outlet for a long workday or week! |
Sandra Kim
Day job: Wellesley College Admin and Kickboxer
"What are you?": A big Twinkie Why I decided to do this project: Karen Young is amazing, and I loooooove any combination of rhythm/a movin' beat, and pounding on things. Yatta!!!! |
Reetu Sharma
Day job: Program Coordinator and Event Planner
"What are you?": 1st generation Indian Why I decided to do this project: It provides me with a channel through which I can transfer my fierce emotions and end up with an awesome form of art. |
Gloria Yong
Day Job: IT Cheerleader + Change Agent
"What are you?": They say you are what you eat....so a cupcake! Why I decided to do this project: Taiko is strong yet graceful and beautiful. I get to make bad ass music with other women who embody the same attributes as the art of taiko. Plus...more taiko means more cupcakes :) |
Delia Cheung Hom
Day job: Striving not to be mistaken for an Asian American college student
"What are you?": 3rd generation Chinese American kick-ass mama Why I decided to do this project: I was inspired to be part of this project because it gives me an opportunity to be loud. And because it gives me a legitimate excuse to hit things! |
