jcccnc / programs / instructors

Michiya Hanayagi

Buyo

Michiya Hanayagi was born in Nagoya, Japan.  She received the coveted teaching certificate from the Hanayagi School of Japanese Classical Dance in Tokyo in 1947. In 1956 she established the Michiya Hanayagi Dance Studio with the desire to share this aspect of Japanese culture throughout the United States , as well as internationally.  After 55 years of teaching, her contributions towards promoting the Japanese culture through classical dance gained her the prestige of being honored in 2004 as one of the recipients of The Foreign Minister's Commendation in Commemoration of the 150 th Anniversary of the U.S.-Japan Relationship.  Her hope is that her art will demonstrate and encourage continued goodwill between the United States and Japan.

Yurie Nakamura

Washi Ningyo (kamaka style)

Yurie Nakamura studied and received her teacher's certificate in 1979 in the Komako-style washi ningyo in Japan and has been teaching in the United States since 1981 and exhibiting her student's works during San Francisco 's annual Cherry Blossom Festival.

Denise Teraoka

Health and Fitness

Denise Teraoka received her Personal Training Instructor certification in 2001 at California State University , Hayward , Personal Trainer certification, 1997, Sports Nutrition certification, 1998.  She has had 15 years of health and fitness training including weightlifting with free weights.

John Boyce

Ikenobo Ikebana

John teaches Shoka, Rikka and Free-style Shimputei styles of Ikebana.   He received his B.S. in Floriculture at the University of Illinois and has worked in San Francisco since 1963.  He has also studied Bonsai since 1960 and continues to study at the Bonsai Garden in Lake Merritt Park in Oakland, California.

Craig Hamakawa

Karate (Shorin Ryu style)

Craig Hamakawa (7th degree black belt) has practiced karate for 37 years and has been teaching for the past 31 years.   He attained Shodan in 1973 and has taught in Hilo, Honolulu, Oregon, San Bruno, Millbrae and in San Francisco, California.   He is the instructor of the International Karate League, which is a non-profit organization based out of Honolulu, Hawaii.   The IKL instructors do not teach for profit and encourage the development of the character of their students.   The school motto:  "Through honesty and sincerity you are free."

C. Dee Ka'ala Carmack

Ukulele, Hawaiian Music and Expressive Singing

Ka'ala Carmack has taught and performed in the Bay Area for 25 years.   He has produced and directed a stage production for Nihonmachi Little Friends' After School Program at the Palace of Fine Arts, and has also served as musical consultant for the Japanese Bilingual Bicultural Program at Clarendon Elementary School.   Originally from Honolulu, Hawaii , Ka'ala brings his love of Hawaiian music and ukulele playing to JCCCNC.

Yukiko Ichimura Sorrell

Shibori

Yukiko Ichimura Sorrell has been teaching traditional Japanese art over her lifetime at various venues, including Tokyo High School, Institute of Aging and Kimochi Home.

Wendy Yoshimura

Watercolor Painting

Wendy Yoshimura started watercolor painting as a child in Japan.  She has been painting now for over 30 years.  She received her BFA from the California College of Arts and Crafts in Oakland.

Melody Takata

Gen Taiko

Melody Takata has been playing taiko for 27 years.  She honed her "Matsuri-Daiko" skills through rigorous training of Tokyo's renowned Sukeroku Taiko, with whom she studied and performed.

Naoko Ito

Quilting/Fabric Art

Naoko Ito was born and raised in San Francisco's Japantown.  She organized the East Bay Heritage Quilters 25 years ago and continues to be a charter member of the group.  She has co-chaired quilt symposiums at Mill College in 1984 and 1988.  She has also coordinated the first US/Japan Quilt Symposium in 1989 in Tokyo and Kyoto.  Although she has been quilting for more than 25 years, she continues taking classes to improve her skills and expand her knowledge of current ideas.  Her wish is to contribute in her small way, to the Japanese community where she was raised.

Kaori Nakano

Kirakiraboshi (Japanese Children's Songs)

Kaori Nakano has taught music for over 15 years in both Japan and throughout the San Francisco Bay Area.  She is excited to be able to integrate her love for music and culture in a class for children.