So now I remember my first performance was mouse from The Nut Cracker. I still remember the movement that I did (of course not all of them). I remember practicing a lot alone with my teacher but I don’t remember being on the stage. Strange, because I even have some pictures.

Next memory, I used to love to put make up on. Our dressing room was downstairs at the theater, there was mirror and I always thought “Wow I look so different” and “I’m actually pretty with make up.” And when the show is over taking off the make up and I always thought “My regular face is boring.”

My mother always shaved my face in the morning of the show, she said that it helps to put make up on smoothly. We do have a custum to shave our face, even girls. I think.

I had my first solo show with a straw hat. At the time we didn’t have lots of fancy modern dance costumes. My teacher changed from classical ballet to Modern dance when I was in the 3rd or 4th grade. All of a sudden she said it’s okay to dance bare foot. I don’t remember me hesitating to switch from point shoes to bare foot. No questions, not even from my parents. Strange …

Anyway, the title of the song I danced to was “In the Wind.” I had a big straw hat and my mother made my pants. She put big flowers on the side of my pants and I just wore a leotard, but I remember I was dancing in the light and could not see anything but this big shining light! I was so exciting and nervous! I think I did a good job … I hope.

I had short hair when I was growing up, so I always played the boy part in performances. I was a prince or other boy character. And I remember I played Peter in Peter and Wolf. My best friend was a blue bird. She had a cute skirt with leotard and I was wearing boy pants. I used to think that’s not fair!

Finally I had a chance to wear a beautiful white long skirt. I was in the middle school and thought my dream came true to wear long skirts while I danced. And then I got injured that year and wasn’t able to participate in the performance. I was so sad. I was supposed to do a solo dance performance that year and loved the piece. Instead I was sad as I lay in the hospital bed.