Donna Hokoda Ebata has been a member of Kinnara Taiko in Los Angeles for over 20 years. As one of the first taiko groups in the U.S., Kinnara traveled extensively in the 70s, 80s and 90s, initiating and participating in the extraordinary growth of taiko.

Kinnara and KODO have been friends since the early 80s when KODO began its yearly U.S. tour. Donna and fellow Kinnara member, Qris, first visited KODO in their converted schoolhouse on Mano Bay in the late 80s; more recently with her husband Duane in 1998; and in 2004 was able to spend two months in Japan and two weeks on Sado Island.

Since 1987, Donna has also worked with Great Leap, Inc., an Asian American/multicultural arts organization based in L.A. -- the first ten years as Administrative Director and since then as a board member. For over 25 years Great Leap has been bringing Asian American and multi-ethnic productions, workshops and residencies to children, students, and adult audiences throughout the country.

Since seeing her first American Taiko performance in California circa 1992, Chie has dedicated herself to the study of taiko. After graduating from Tokyo University with a Masters in cultural anthropology, Chie has worked on coordinating workshop tours and other projects which connect the Japanese and North American taiko communities.

In 1996, Chie began working as part-time staff for the Kodo Cultural Foundation to help in the production of their annual international arts festival "Earth Celebration" held on Sado Island.

From September 2002 through March 2003, Chie worked as Japanese Cultural Coordinator in North Carolina, giving school presentations about Japan and assisting in cultural events throughout the state.