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.

Koji Nakamura
Koji Nakamura is a Grammy Award winning taiko master and serves as Makoto Taiko’s revered
sensei. He first underwent intensive taiko training in Japan with members of the renowned taiko
group Ondekoza in the early 1980s before establishing the Shumei Taiko Ensemble in Japan.
During his twenty years with Shumei Taiko, Koji traveled around the world to perform at various
illustrious venues. Koji moved to Pasadena with his family in 2005 to teach and spread taiko in
the United States. A master of O-daiko drumming, Koji continues to travel regularly to perform
and teach taiko drumming in the United States and abroad.

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.

Yoshiko Loyd

Yoshiko Loyd is a preschool teacher for 30 years and has been an avid supporter of Makoto
Taiko for 21 years.

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.

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.