Cristine Sato

Cristine started playing taiko with San Jose Junior Taiko and soon became of member of the performing group. She joined SJT's full time Artistic Staff in 1998 where she enjoyed being a part of the school outreach program, teaching junior taiko classes, and touring across the United States. During her time with San Jose Taiko, she recorded with Anthony Brown's Asian American Jazz Orchestra, worked with members of Warabi-za (Japan's foremost traditional folk dance troupe) and KODO, and performed at Extasia (Asano Taiko's annual percussive festival in Japan). After directing UCLA Kyodo Taiko and the Collegiate Taiko Invitational 2000, she became a member of Yoki Daiko, and created Yoki Daiko's Chibi Taiko, a children's group in East LA. She loved designing and sewing costumes for both groups. Cristine was also honored to play taiko in “REAL,” a concert with Hereandnow Theatre Company and rock band Visiting Violette.

In 2006, Cristine was awarded the prestigious Bunka-cho fellowship from the Japanese government and became an Apprentice with the world famous taiko group KODO. As a high school teacher in a low income neighborhood in Los Angeles, she realized the need for more diverse, cultural opportunities for all students. She dreams of bringing taiko—this universal language of energy, passion, and inspiration—to all kids, especially those in low income neighborhoods. In addition to playing taiko, she loves to dance. She hopes to one day compete in the Amateur Salsa competition at the Mayan, a club in downtown LA.