Become a Champion!
Join the SJT Champions to sustain our local, regional, national, and international impact. Your gift to our annual fundraising efforts will help us affect positive change through the power of taiko performance and education.
SJT Champions show exceptional commitment to our work and receive special privileges because of that commitment:
Quarterly “live practice” streams: A behind-the-scenes look at the way our Company creates the magic of SJT.
Twice-yearly virtual fireside chats: Our Executive and Artistic Directors share a sneak peek of what’s on tap for SJT and field your questions.
A special edition of SJT’s Odaiko e-news featuring an introductory message from our Executive Director, sent 4-6 times per year.
SJT wall calendar, with beautiful photographs highlighting the performance, educational, and empowerment programs your support makes possible.
The opportunity to be featured as the “Champion of the Quarter” on our website and e-newsletter.
Champions of the Quarter
Please meet our inaugural Champions of the Quarter, Cheryl and Adam Sweeney!
A San Jose native who’s been part of the San Jose Jtown community since she was young, Cheryl grew up seeing SJT perform. She and husband Adam, a Florida transplant, (re)connected with SJT when the group performed at Suzume no Gakko when their daughter Melody was a student. Melody signed up for the Junior Taiko program as soon as she was old enough and participated all the way through, eventually becoming a member of the Junior Taiko Performing Ensemble. Their son, Kimo participated in the Junior Taiko program for a number of years, too!
The Sweeneys started donating to SJT because they were struck by how the JT teachers give so much of themselves in their classes, and have continued to donate because they love how SJT brings people together and shares Japanese-American culture. Cheryl says “The arts are such an important way to connect people of different backgrounds, now more than ever. None of that can happen without financial support, so we’re happy to do our part to help make it possible.”
In her free time, Cheryl enjoys volunteering at the SJ Buddhist Church, jogging, going to Broadway shows and live concerts with friends and family, and watching TV shows and movies (especially cheesy romances on the Hallmark Channel). Adam spends too much time working at Arista Networks, tries to fit a bit of exercise in there somewhere, and spends the rest of the time with family. These long-time fans are especially fond of Oedo Bayashi and Ki, written by their friend and SJT Performing Member Matt Ogawa. They love how the performers share the high energy, excitement, and spirit of taiko with the audience in these songs. Thank you Cheryl and Adam for being part of our SJT family!
Please note, this program applies to our regular fundraising; gifts made to our Thrive campaign are separate from the Champions program.