<Begin Segment 47>

SY: Well, in some ways, this is such an opportunity to tell future generations about things that are important. What would you say from your life experiences are important?

MN: Well, I think young people should try to be honest. They should -- honesty is a very important... and respect their elders. I think they should learn to respect their elders. You see so much, especially on TV, where the mothers and the fathers are looked down to, or considered stupid (...). But I think children should respect their elders.

SY: What would you say to people who have a passion for what they want to learn and do, such as you did with dance, yet they also feel connected to their family? I mean, what choices would you suggest?

MN: Well, it's hard to choose, because I know... when my sister and brother-in-law came from Spokane to visit, I should have been home and entertained them because they didn't come very often and it was hard for my mother to take care of guests, and... but I had to go to rehearsal and I just couldn't, couldn't stay home. I had to go to rehearsal. And I think I voiced my feelings and Eleanor King (heard me). And she said to me, (...) "You have to do what you feel is most important to you." And I thought, "Dance is most important to me." So, with that thought in the back of my head, I kept on dancing, until my mother died and then it was a shock. Then I just wondered (...) whether I should have thought that or not. But she was gone, and there wasn't anything left but to dance so I just kept dancing.

SY: So would you tell your students the same thing as Eleanor King had told you?

MN: Well, yes. I think it's not just true in dance. I think it's true in everything. You should pursue what you love the most. And if you really love it, you have no choice. You'll do it.

SY: And that's what you've done, that's for sure.

MN: Yeah, that's what I've done. Yeah.

SY: Well, you've really contributed a lot to modern dance, and to dance. And I just really appreciate being able to interview you. Thank you very much.

MN: Well, it was nice talking with you, Sara, too.

<End Segment 47> - Copyright © 1998 Densho. All Rights Reserved.