Makoto Taiko’s board members, officers, and staff represent the diverse range of backgrounds and perspectives that exist within Makoto Taiko’s membership and supporters.

Board

Mia Dunn, President

Mia Dunn has served Pasadena’s nonprofit community for nearly 23 years, the majority of which has been with Pasadena Humane. She is currently Senior Director of Philanthropy for the animal shelter. Mia became a member of Makoto Taiko in 2018 and joined the board in 2020. Her efforts are focused on applying her fundraising skills to help grow and sustain Makoto Taiko. Mia has also served on the board of the Arroyo Food Co-op and as president of the Pasadena Animal League, a fundraising auxiliary for Pasadena Humane.

Miya Elise Desjardins, Secretary

Miya Elise Desjardins, Ph.D., is an Adjunct Associate Professor at the University of  Southern California (Departments of Art History and East Asian Languages and  Cultures), where she teaches Japanese culture and is also Executive Editor and Managing Director of the Japanese studies journal, Review of Japanese Culture and Society. Miya has  served as a board member of Makoto Taiko since 2018 and became Secretary in 2020. Her three children, ages 20, 15, and 11 have been part of the Makoto Taiko Youth program for 5 years. Miya is committed to growing the group’s Youth Program.

Christine Higurashi, Treasurer

Christine Higurasshi, M.A., is a Training Supervisor for Kaiser Permanente where she is responsible for a team that creates curriculum for traditional classroom and virtual learning environments. She has been a member of Makoto Taiko since 2018 and became a Board member in 2019. Christine leads the Governance/Nominating Committee of the Board, which will focus on evaluating board performance and developing a succession plan for the Board and key staff positions.

Steven Tokunaga

Since 1987, Steven has trained in taiko drumming as an apprentice under the leadership of Koji Nakamura and other advanced players of the Shumei Taiko Ensemble, based at the headquarters of Spiritual Fellowship, Shumei, in Shiga Prefecture, Japan. In 1996, he moved to the United States, where, on July 11, 1999, he founded the first taiko group of Shumei America. (This group was later to become Makoto Taiko.) Steven relocated to Brazil in 2017 to continue his taiko training and teaching in South America. In January 2023, he returned to the United States and resumed his activities with Makoto Taiko. He was appointed to the board the same year.

 

Bryan S. Takeda

Bryan Takeda is President of Affinity Associates, a management consulting business, and has been active in the Pasadena Japanese American community for over 30 years. In 2021, Bryan was awarded the Order of the Rising Sun from the government of Japan for facilitating cultural exchange between Japan and the US.

Rebecca Lin

Rebecca Lin has a degree in Japanese Language and Culture. She is an enthusiastic supporter of intercultural exchange. Rebecca joined Makoto Taiko in 2016. She is an experienced children’s choir teacher, Chinese language teacher, and Zumba fitness instructor. Currently, she is a co-facilitator of Makoto Taiko’s Taiko for older adults program.

Bernice Aoyama

Bernice Aoyama graduated from Berklee College of Music with a degree in Professional Music. She and her two children joined Makoto Taiko in 2021 and have loved being part of the taiko community. In addition to playing drums, she is an active member of her children’s school, serving as the Secretary of their Foundation and chairing several committees.

Hunter Araki Loyd, Artistic Director, and Lead Instructor
Hunter Loyd began playing taiko 22 years ago with Makoto Taiko and has performed with the
group throughout the US ever since. He has also played with Jishin Taiko at Cal State
Northridge and Hikari Daiko in Japan from 2010-2012. Hunter has a degree in Languages and
Cultures with an emphasis on Japanese.

Karen Koyano, Executive Director

Karen Koyano retired from Southern California Edison in 2019, where she held senior management positions in the areas of engineering and financial analysis, federal regulations, and contracts. Karen started her taiko journey in 2012 when she joined Makoto Taiko, and has been part of Makoto Taiko leadership since 2014 as a charter board member, coordinating the formation of Makoto Taiko’s 501(c)3 nonprofit application and serving as Treasurer. From 2018 – 2020, Karen served as President, helping Makoto Taiko grow as a vibrant and financially sustainable nonprofit organization. Karen has formerly served as President and Treasurer of the nonprofit Asian American Professional Association. As Executive Director of Makoto Taiko, one of Karen’s goals is programmatic development, and as an older adult, she is particularly committed to growing the Intergenerational Outreach Program for older adults.