<Begin Segment 10>

SY: When you were growing up in, at Maple Leaf Elementary, can you think back as, was there anything in particular that stood out as a strong memory for you about your elementary school experience?

MN: Well, I -- my first grade teacher meant a lot to me, because I was, I was quite shy, and I couldn't carry a tune. [Laughs] But (...) she wanted me to get over my shyness. So every time there was a program, she'd put me in it, whether I could sing or not. And she -- I remember there were three of us, and I couldn't sing. I guess the other two did all the singing. (...) I never would raise my hand to, to answer any questions or do anything. And so she kept her eye open to see whether I ever raised my hand.

SY: It's funny that later on in your life, you weren't shy at all about being on stage.

MN: Well, (...) that was part of my work, so...

SY: So you had to do it?

MN: Yeah, I had to do it.

SY: So were you always a bit shy about being on stage and performing?

MN: Well, no, I wasn't shy. Actually, when I had to perform or do something, I'd do it. But just in general, I was shy about talking to people and being aggressive.

<End Segment 10> - Copyright © 1998 Densho. All Rights Reserved.