Dear TCA Community,
In the same year that TCA was founded, I joined Taiko Tides and was introduced to taiko for the first time. It is overwhelming to reflect on how drastically the course of my life has since changed thanks to this community and to the mentors, colleagues, and friends who have shaped my nearly 6 years with the Taiko Community Alliance. There are no words to express how sincerely grateful I am for the privilege of having worked with all of you.
And so, it is difficult to share that today is my last day as a member of TCA Staff. For the past 2 years, we have all been forced to live with an unprecedented level of uncertainty and doubt. Uncertainty surrounding our professional commitments, doubts about our personal lives and safety, and even about fundamental systems in our society and how our entanglement with these systems impacts our communities.
In the face of such destabilizing acknowledgements, I am extremely proud of the work that we have done as a team at TCA – our Board, Staff, and Volunteers collectively have proven that while uncertainty may be a given at any point in life, the TCA network is built upon the fundamental values and supported by the people it needs to continue developing and driving its mission forward.
The constant dedication and engagement from you – our taiko community – cannot be overlooked. For me personally, the time I was able to spend learning about each of you and your visions for yourselves, for your groups, for your communities, and for the art form of taiko as a whole has been one of the most rewarding and inspiring experiences of my life. Your passion, drive, and generosity truly fuel this work.
Thank you to everyone within the TCA network for your support, contributions, and incredible gaman throughout these years. I look forward to keeping in touch, be it personally, professionally, or somewhere in between, and seeing what new ventures grow from within this special community.
With gratitude,
Sarah Gilbert