KASA & Friends
(2024 - current)
KASA stands for Karen’s Awesome Students and Apprentices and also, means ‘hat’ or ‘umbrella’ in Japanese. KASA & Friends is made up of students and apprentices committed to building inclusive communities, through the deep study of taiko and its social justice roots born out of the Japanese and Asian American movement of the 1970’s in North America. KASA & Friends accompany and collaborate with Karen in her cultural organizing projects.
KM2 is an artistic trio led by Karen Young with her apprentices mica rose and Mel Taing. The trio was formed after Karen received an invitation to perform at The Boston Foundation Brother Thomas Award celebration in 2021. Through support from the Massachusetts Cultural Council’s Traditional Arts Apprenticeship grant, they were able to continue their development as a trio. Playing alongside Older & Bolder, KM2 contributed to a dynamic team dedicated to community engagement and cultural appreciation.
