<Begin Segment 44>

SY: You know, you've explored so many different dance forms. You've choreographed, you've done opera theater, you've lectured. Which dance-related experience would you say has taught you the most?

MN: Which has taught me the most? Well, I think it's lecturing and talking about modern dance, like I'm talking to you. Explaining, getting a chance to say things about modern dance as an art form. I think to enlighten an audience about what dance is. And contemporary dance, modern dance, can be thought about as modern art is, and about modern music. It's not classical, it's modern. And it wasn't accepted at first, either. Modern art was frowned on. (...) So I think a chance to enlighten people about modern dance is the most satisfying thing that I've experienced.

SY: Well, you've received many awards and recognition about your contribution to modern dance. I mean, you've won awards, such as the Outstanding Woman of Achievement, Who's Who in America, Asian-American Living Treasure Award. You've taught many professional dancers and professional teachers. Of all these things you've done and awards you still get, do you have any regrets as to what you've been doing and what you couldn't do?

MN: Well, no. I don't have any regrets. I wouldn't want to have it any other way than it was. I mean, I think I was lucky to be able to live life and the things I love the most. And it was financially very difficult at times. But I do feel lonely sometimes because (...) all my friends, they send their children, and their children's children and they have, and my relatives, too, they all have lovely homes, lovely cars, lovely children. That is what I gave up for dance, but I really don't regret it, because if I wanted to stop now, I could have a lovely home, I think. And I have so many lovely things that people have given me. And before I even entered into dance, I bought my silver and I bought my china, like all girls did in those days. And here they're all packed away, never been used. But I don't know if, it would be nice if I could do that. But still, I don't wanna give up dance. I wanna be the way I am right now and stay that way. But I know that physically, I don't know how long I'm gonna live, but I can't dance forever. And I can, there are things that I've taught that I can't do myself, technically, but my students can. (...)

SY: No regrets?

MN: No regrets.

SY: During the time when you were so busy, did you ever wish you had time for something else?

MN: No. I just knew that this is what I had to do. And I had to do it, regardless of how long it took. I had to do it. So I did. But I did give up, one time (...) I gave up three television shows, because I just couldn't, I just couldn't work it in. And I felt sorry for this woman, and I called her and told her I couldn't do it, but that's the only time I ever turned down something that would have been nice.

SY: Wow.

<End Segment 44> - Copyright © 1998 Densho. All Rights Reserved.