Kelsey Furuta (Beaverton) is a taiko drummer and a member of Portland Taiko. A fourth-generation Japanese-American, Futura began playing at age ten. Since then, Furuta has toured the country with the Los Angeles-based TaikoProject, studied with taiko master Kenny Endo, and become a core member of Portland Taiko.
Bio
Kelsey Furuta is a taiko drummer and a member of Portland Taiko. A fourth-generation Japanese-American, Furuta learned to play in a Seattle youth group at the age of ten. After touring the country with TaikoProject at age 18, she returned to Seattle for college and then travelled to Hawaii to study with taiko master Kenny Endo. Furuta moved to Portland following her studies and joined Portland Taiko, where she teaches adult intermediate classes and performs on the drums as well as the fue (wooden transverse flute). Furuta is part of the second generation of taiko players in the United States and is grateful for the central role the instrument has played in her life. She credits it with helping her to navigate her identity as a Japanese American woman, her evolution as a musician, and her community engagement. Furuta believes that the most important quality of a good taiko player is a passion for learning--in her opinion, there is always more to learn about the art form. Taiko players also need to have a strong koshi (center); they believe the energy necessary to play emanates from their center to the drums.
