Ok, I'm mostly recovered, so I can talk about my experiences at NATC 2017.
First off, it was a great conference. There will always be hiccups and behind-the-scenes chaos of some sort no matter what, but things ran pretty well! It was my 9th NATC out of the 10 that have been held, and I really regret missing that first one... I'm still processing a lot of what went on last weekend but I wanted to get things written down, for my own sake as well as for the blog's. So here goes, in no particular order:
1.) The "Women in Taiko" STI was awesome.
I didn't go to the 3-day event before NATC, but I definitely felt the impact. I've heard from some of the attendees and felt the residual energy throughout the Conference. For a community with so many female players (about 66%) , there's an inverse number of male workshop leaders. Why is that? The idea of a woman on stage as kazari-mono (decoration) is very common, why is that? How many women weren't able to become as famous as their male counterparts because they spent their time raising the kids? How many women players that are good aren't taken as seriously because they're considered "cute"? Lots of issues, lots of questions.
I'm hoping this topic can be expanded on and addressed within our community! Really glad it happened.
2.) Going as a participant was invigorating.
I've been a Workshop Leader for several NATC, and went as an observer/assistant for the last two. Being an Observer means I have freedom to go to different workshops, but it's not quite the same experience, I've come to realize. Taking workshops and going through the motions of the lesson, trying new techniques or new approaches to technique, those had an impact on me.
I find myself inspired from the simple act of moving differently from how I've been moving for years now. It opens doors and hints at new possibilities. I don't want to leave my style behind, but instead see how much of my own style I can cultivate within the boundaries of the group's style.
3.) Longer conversations had impact.
There are a LOT of conversations to be had at NATC. Most of the time they're about catching up with old friends, getting to meet new people, or quick chats about how a workshop went.
I got to talk for a long time with 4 different people in particular, people I've known for a while but have never really been able to get to know. People who play, people who used to play, people who lead, people who teach, people who made things possible, people who still make things possible.
These conversations ranged from asking meta-questions to talking about the nuances of technique. And these conversations, more than anything - more than participating, more than watching performances - have my head buzzing, gears turning.
4.) I don't get to "geek out" over taiko often enough.
I spent 20 minutes alone in the marketplace talking with a couple of well-known taiko players about sub-division drills and practice tips. Before that, I spent time talking about different ways to clap and with which hand. During walks across campus I had discussions about pedagogy and practice. During meals I talked with friends about naname stands and relative heights. I live for those kind of exchanges, even after 24 years of the art.
5.) No post-NATC blues.
I've seen/heard people get the "blues" after leaving NATC, because they're leaving this environment of so much learning, cooperation, support and connection. For me, I pretty much use all my 'extrovert juice" for the year in those 4 days, and by the time I leave, I'm feeling a really good balance.
6.) I really hope to teach workshops again.
In one of my workshops, people were talking about a technique being really difficult that I've spent decades working on. It made me want to teach workshops again (not that I haven't wanted to, but this stoked the flames again).
It's funny, after saying I loved being a participant, I also really miss teaching, too. I'm thinking of offering things that haven't been addressed much in the past, things I spend a lot of time thinking about and working on. With all the time I've spent analyzing workshop feedback, I like to think I could craft some really good workshops! Time will tell.
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I needed NATC for it's ability to collectively kick-start my creative and inspirational juices. A lack of sleep and sore calves from all the walking around campus is a small price to pay. And even though I said this on Facebook, a big thank you to everyone who made NATC happen this year, as well as to everyone who's made it happen from years past. It was great to talk to people who've read my blog and hear how it's been helpful, and so I hope I can continue providing that even if on a smaller scale through teaching and sharing my thoughts on the Facebook Taiko Community as topics come up.
Looking forward to NATC 2019! Yikes! :D
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