Tanis Sotelo started learning about the Japanese language and culture back in 2005 at Central Campus in Des Moines, Iowa, and traveled on a school trip to Yamanashi, Japan. On his first day in Japan, his host family introduced him to Japanese Taiko drumming. After graduating from Drake University in 2010, Tanis joined the Japan America Society of Iowa and co-founded Iowa’s only Japanese Taiko performing ensemble. Since then, Tanis has traveled to New York, Los Angeles, Minneapolis, and Japan to visit other Taiko groups and take lessons from professional Taiko performers. Today, Tanis continues to practice Taiko drumming and learn about other related activities/items associated with Taiko, such as dancing and masks.

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