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Hi everyone! I'm sure some of you are curious how the 2019 project went so let me share some highlights. Hopefully this inspires you to support or even join the project! We're still recruiting dancers and staff members :D

Our team picture taken at Kochi Castle's entrance

I have been doing yosakoi since 2015. I love performing yosakoi and feeling the excitement from the music and from the audience, so I was glad to get an opportunity to perform in the Kochi Yosakoi Festival.

Yes, I sweat a lot all over my body (Photo Credits: Kizuna Staff)

It addition to the festival on August 10th-12th, we had a training camp on August 6th-9th. We practiced in the morning, in the afternoon, and in the evening for several hours each! I have never had so much yosakoi training in such a short period of time. It was a great time to bond with other members, especially during meal time.

We had a cultural exchange event with elementary kids from Ino Town where we stayed. They were still young, but so brave to converse with us foreigners in English!! We made traditional Japanese paper together, called washi.

Hand making traditional Japanese paper together (Photo Credits: Daniel Rolandi)

My highlight from the festival is the performance at Central Park. It was a stage performance and I was placed first row! I was freaking out the entire morning because I was afraid of making mistakes. In the end, it turned out okay and I was grateful for this opportunity to grow as a dancer.

I'm excited for next year's festival. I hope to see you there!

- Daniel Rolandi