Since 2010, when I closed my non profit organizations, I haven’t been doing any school programs.   School program, especially with Japanese culture ones, has been the most rewarding experience for me personally.   You bring your art to their classroom, where their mind set is “leaning” contrast to bring them to our theatre as field trip, where they can be easily distracted.

I was invited by an old friend, Carol Kiernan, a talented actress herself, to do a Japanese dance performance for their FAIRE of AGES, a fundraiser event at the Walter Reed Middle School in North Hollywood.

On day one – I just dressed a beautiful student of mine KAZUMI ZATKIN on stage.   Michael suggested me to take Kazumi down to the students, so they can see the kimono and the obi (close to $8000 worth!) up close and personal.

Japanese dance kimono demonstration. School program

On Day 2, we invited the students and their siblings to perform with us.

Kids performed a simple dance with a fan (KAGOME KAGOME) – and three most reliable students of mine followed (Kojo no Tsuki).   Kazumi, Mai Kobayashi and Akiko Katagiri.

Japanese dance kimono demonstration. School program

Thank you for the opportunity!!!!   I will continue to do this kind of program till I get too old to tie obis!