Hi, my name is Tina Lin and I’ve studied Tsugarujyamisen in Japan for 6 months. I’m living in the bay area now and have been looking for a shamisen group class or private instructor. Can anyone send me more information about studying shamisen in the bay area?
I’d really love to join the event on Mar. 22 in San Jose, but, unfortunately, I’ve already scheduled a doctor appointment 
Look forward to the next event!
Thank you!
Best Regards,
Tina Lin
Hi Tina!
Welcome to Bachido! Glad to make your acquaintance, and hear of another player in the local-ish area!
Are you specifically wanting to learn tsugaru shamisen? I know of one teacher in San Francisco (who a few Bachido members go to). However, she prefers not to teach tsugaru style as her expertise is in the jiuta~minyo style. So far, I’m the only one I know who teaches tsugaru shamisen Northern California. 
Where in the bay area are you located, if I may ask a personal question on a public forum? If you’re in San Jose, I’d be willing to meet you up there to teach. (taking the bus is very convenient)
For group classes, so far that is the monthly workshop. After the March workshop, the next one will be April 5th or 12th. What’s more, we will have a special guest, Bachido member Aki Takahashi from Toronto! She’s an incredible singer and player, so that’s one workshop not to be missed. 
My goal with the monthly workshops is to establish a shamisen community in the bay area. It goes so well on the forum and so would be awesome for a real community to thrive as well!
Cheers!
Kyle
Hi Kyle,
Thanks for getting back to me! I live in San Francisco, but my office is located in South San Francisco if we are meeting on the weekdays. Hopefully, we can work something out so that i can start my shamisen study again. Otherwise, I’ll try to participate the monthly workshop as much as possible ^^
Thanks,
Tina
Howdy there Tina~
It’s nice to see another Bay Area player ~smiles~
If you can, we would love to have you join us for the workshops. It’s a nice place to play together, discuss techniques, and hang out with other shamisen players.
Maybe if there is a free weekend sometime, Kyle and I could come meet you in SF for a meet up/jam.
Best wishes with your playing~!!
Adrian
Oof, that’s a bit of a commute. I’d have to factor in travel expense going that far regularly. I’m sure we can work something out though!
Would you be interested in meeting somewhere half way? I’m sure the park would be an awesome place to have a lesson. It would invite other people to discover shamisen as well.
Hi Kyle,
Meeting somewhere half way sounds good! Do you think we can meet briefly this Sunday or next weekend to discuss details? If you have to focus on the workshop on the 22nd, any weekend after that would work for me too. I don’t mind driving to San Jose or wherever easier for you. Let me know! Look forward to meeting you ^^
-Tina
Hello Adrian,
Thank you for the warm message! I’d love to join the workshops and play with everyone! However, my level is very low, not to mention that I haven’t practiced for years. Everyone might have to put up with me for a while u_u
It’d be nice to meet up with you and Kyle some weekend in SF, SJ or anywhere between! In addition to shamisen, if you also like ramen, there’s a really good place in San Mateo 
-Tina
Sure! Gah, I would meet this Sunday, but my mother and her group is playing at the local winery and I promised to film it. How about next weekend?
Ah! I’m playing a few tunes at the Tag Project thing at the Art Object Gallery in SJ Japantown from 6pm~9pm on the 14th. If you aren’t busy, feel free to come by then. If not, Sunday will work too. Roy’s Station is a nice place to meet, if you don’t mind driving to SJ. Adrian is around there too.
Absolutely no worries about being at a low level! Several people have come who’ve never picked up a shamisen before, and they were happily playing along with everyone! So if you have skill or not, you will learn something!
Oh! Never mind then! Turns out I would be able to meet this Sunday! Any time you would prefer?
Sounds great! Roy Station in SJ around 1:30PM on 3/9 (Sun.)? Is there any other way to reach you in case something comes up? -Tina
That sounds good! I’ll send you a PM now.