Tomoyasu Joseph “TJ” Nakano
Email: pronakanosan@gmail.com
Chicago, IL
Education
2021 School of the Art Institute (SAIC)
2017 Disney II Magnet High School, Chicago, IL
Professional Experience
August 2019–Present School of the Art Institute of Chicago, Ceramic Studio Work Study
July 2019–Present Marwen, Studio Facilitator
September 2016–Present Enso Karate. Front desk and office staff. Class assistant.
October 2017–Present University of Chicago Lab School, Karate instructor.
October 2017–Present Daystar School, Karate instructor.
September 2011–2018 Dare2tri Chicago Paratriathlon Club. Guide, train and compete with athletes of all ages with physical disabilities and visual impairments in triathlon.
April 2015–2018 Tellin’ Tales Theatre. Stagehand and sound operator.
July 2011–2018 Tellin’ Tales Theatre, for adults and children with and without disabilities. Wrote a story and performed in a 2011 show. Apprenticed as mask, prop and set design assistant. Volunteered as Backstage assistant for performers with disabilities.
June–August, 2014 Village Leadership Academy. Summer camp counselor.
September 2007–2015 Rehab Institute of Chicago, Caring for Kids program for youth with disabilities. Adapted Karate assistant instructor. “Yoga for Special Child“ assistant.
September 2011–2014 Thin Ice Ensemble Theater. Classroom assistant for children’s play productions
(age 5-12). Worked as a set design and backstage assistant.
Leadership & Awards
2019 SAIC Dean’s list nomination for Outstanding Sophomore
2017 SAIC Presidential Scholarship and The Bank of America Scholarship for In-state Chicago students attending the School of the Art Institute of Chicago
September 2014–2017 Student Council. Student advisory leader in sophomore year, Student Council president for junior year, and senior class representative.
2015–2017 National Honor Society.
2016 First place finish for the Chicago Triathlon Super Sprint, guiding visually impaired athletes
2015 TaleBlazer Award by Tellin’ Tales Theatre for significant contribution for disability advocacy.
2015 Inducted as a Tri-Leader, one of 11 head volunteers leading 250+ volunteer groups.
2013-2014 Volunteer of the year award by Dare2tri Paratriathlon Club.
2013 Peacemaker Award by Thousand Waves Martial Arts & Self Defense Center for defending students who were being bullied. Top Fundraiser Award ($1,000+).
Activities
2017–Present School of the Art Institute of Chicago. Ceramics, Foundry, and 3D Fabrication.
2005–Present Karate. Enso Shotokan Karate. Thousand Waves Martial Arts & Self-Defense Center. First degree black belt. Amateur Athletic Union (AAU) competitor.
September 2011–Present Marwen Foundation. Art student with strong interest in ceramics and 3D art. Contributing alumnus artist for annual Paintbrush Ball and other fundraising silent auctions. Teaching as a Studio Facilitator for Ceramics.
April 2012–2018 Old Town School of Folk Music & Aloha Center Chicago. Ukulele and Pacific Island music. Performed in concerts at MSI, Newberry Library, and theater productions.
June 2012–2017 United Capoeira Association, UCA Chicago. Afro-Brazilian martial art, acrobatics, music, philosophy, and social justice movement. Rank-cordao azul/verde.
January 2014–2017 Chicago Area Model UN Club. Met weekly with high school and middle school students for a skill building workshop. Attended NUMUN conference at Northwestern University and GBSMUN as a delegate. Served as a staffer for summer camp.
2007–2015 Thin Ice Ensemble Theater. Took weekly scene study class, performed in various Shakespeare and classic plays including, A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Importance of Being Earnest, Arsenic And Old Lace. Composed songs and performed as a musician in James and the Giant Peach.
Summer 2014 The Field Museum. The Machine Inside: Biomechanics Camp.
2012–2013 Max Goldman, chemist & soap manufacturer. Studied chemistry, worked as a lab assistant for natural soap production.
Summer, 2007–2011 Blue Beryl Dharma Center. Dharma for Kids Camp. Learned yoga, meditation, arts, Buddhist philosophy and compassion with visiting Tibetan Buddhist monks from India.
Skills
Ceramics: wheel throwing, moldmaking, handbuilding, sculpting, teaching and glaze chemistry.
Foundry: sculpting, spruing, moldmaking, casting, metal shop, and pouring.
3D: Rhino program, digital production, printing, and laser cutting.