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Today is November 20th 2019. My name is Chelsey Wen, and I'm here with Zoe and we're interviewing Mitsi Shen. Um, so first question, when and where were you born?

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I was, uh, born in Shanghai China, 1948. Um, and can you talk about the community or neighborhood that you grew up in? In- in china? Like- like what do you mean?

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Like um, what kind of people were your neighbors? Like what kind of environment was it? Um, when I was a lit—young, and uh, I was dance- started dance like four, five years old, and dance

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with the- some private school. And also later, go to Shanghai, the Children's Palace— to dance, most of the time. You know, it's lots of dance girls together.

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Then later I went to Beijing for professional college for the dance department. Yeah. Did your parents introduce you to dancing? I think my mother really support me.

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She loves so she support me too. Yeah. Um, can you describe your family, like how many siblings you had? Okay I have seven— six plus me, and seven siblings.

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And then my older brother in Houston too. He is the businessman in the Houston um, big… ... great Houston, business

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partnership right now. And then also some brother in Utah, and, in the—in different city of America. Most are here right now. You have a famous brother,

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writer? I'm sorry? A famous brother? Is he a writer? Do you have a brother who's a writer? Oh- oh yeah, my... also have my brother is the

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number- number one ranking in China the- the write, yeah. Book writer, mhm. Um so, like are you like the oldest or…? Oldest daughter in the family, number three in the seven siblings.

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Um, did you have a lot of responsibilities when you were little? Like did you have to take care of your other siblings? Mhm, actually I danced a lot. My older sister which is my—my younger, you know, the younger

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sister—sister, she was taking care more in- in my family. 'Cause that time I was in Beijing, in the—in dance college, you know. So my sister taking care of the family

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more. Um, so how old were you when you moved to Beijing? Uh, when I was thirteen. Oh okay. Was it hard for you to move away from your family— so young? Yeah, first—first year and we really missed family.

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Wanted to have, you know, visit the family during the holiday things, later on get used to. Yeah. Um, so when did you know that you wanted to do dance as your career

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more seriously? Okay, actually, when I was young I just talked about... And I'm in the Children's—Shanghai Children's Palace. I really hard work.

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The- the teacher really liked me. And also, I'm the leader— always do the leader role in the- in the dance. So I think I-I'm good.

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I love to dance so, so that's why. You know I get into the, uh, Beijing Dance College. And, but actually, well, when there are professional— go to professional; no, it's not just like, what I thought it's- it's have

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fun. Dance on the stage— a lot of hard work. So that time you know, but I still like it. But it's really hard and hard work. Not easy, just have to study real hard.

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Practice— lots of practice. Mhm. What do you think was the hardest part about going to school for dance? Oh okay. Actually, uh, I am very flexible.

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Most people think if you dance, you are- if you... They—I have some parents talk to me, “My daughter's very flexible. She—she's a good dancer.” But actually the dancer is not just, just the flexible.

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So I was very flexible— but when you’re flexible you're not strong enough. You're not. You don't have lots of what they call... ... strength, not—not strength. Yeah. So real hard to practice to

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build your strength out. That take me almost three years. And there's lots of every day and double work than other students.

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So double time of work. Then I build up my strength. And I can jump high and a lot of things; technique getting much better.

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After three- third year in the—in the college so... Talk about what—can I say something? Talk about what you like you told me, like when you wake up in the morning or when do you practice?

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When you say double work? What did you do that's double? Oh, uh, usually in the evenings we have like a, you know, relax time, free time. Some students all go to watch movies things.

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I was always in the studio, in the—in the studio practice because I know I'm not strength, not—don't have enough strength. So I have to work to build up all different part of the body to get more strength.

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So I work in the evening when people watch the movie or things; in the morning I wake up early. We have to run in the— you know, so I always—run the most to build up my

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energy everyday. Trying to, yeah, lots of hard work. And uh, it's the, like, break time, and, most people relax for one month; and I practice two times day—so

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to build up. Um, did you have any teachers that were very important to you or you had a really good relationship with? Yeah I think uh, we have, uh not… Every year we have a different teacher.

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We all have good relationship. They are really nice. Last year uh, this year- beginning of the this year, I went to China, Sichuan, Chengdu to visit one of my teachers.

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She's my first year teacher. And also and other teachers, you know. I think they are, they are—when they teach, have different things. Lots of- some of teachers,

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they teach me lots of details, like we do Chinese hands right, and my fingers that time is like, this . So then, when the teacher used the rubber band to rubber me. But that time was so embarrassing me, for

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me in the—in the front of audie—uh the class. I was kinda cry. But then after that, I know I have taken care each of the detail to make this beautiful.

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So that's that, help me a lot. Um, so what kind of dancing style did you first learn? Uh, I started with the ballet, with the uh, private school ballet.

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And also the master teacher from Russia. And that time my mother sent me. My mother enjoy it, so that's why she sent too, me. And I started to enjoy it too.

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Can you tell us about—kind of how many classmates did you have at the Beijing- in Beijing? We have, like— professional, probably five class for the dance;

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and then we have about three academic class or something a day. Probably like that. What did you do in your academic classes? We do math, geometry, and, uh,

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Chinese language— all those things. How long did you attend the Beijing Dance Academy? Actually 6 years, from 1962 to 1969. Oh yeah.

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Um, so when you were little, did your parents really support your dancing? Or did they have other expectations for what they wanted you to do? Mm, my father wasn't that support.

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But my mother support me very much. Uh, my mother wanted— she have, like, seven children do all different things, you know. And so some people good at writing,

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some people be a doctor, some people… you know, so… Um, so how did you come to join the Shanghai Dance Academy and become a teacher?

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Oh I was in the Shanghai Song and Dance Troupe Company. Uh, for the- the dancers, and also teach the dance. We- we have danced, the student group that in- inside that dance troupe.

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I taught— I was dancer and also, teaching them too. Now after they graduate, we have some students dance real good; and then, they— the Shanghai Dance

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Academy, and select me to- to the Shanghai Dance Academy. Yea, so I was teaching there before I came here— come to United States. Were you a principal dancer with the Shanghai Dance Troupe?

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Yes. How did that feel to be a principal dancer? It's a high rank, correct? Yea. How did that feel? How did I— oh how did I feel?

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Um, I think, you have to work hard; otherwise, you know, anytime the other people can—you know, you always, you—you just have a, like um... just like say— the

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work harder and trying to go over yourself. Not just uh, you know, stay there. It's not gonna , yeah. And when did you join the Shanghai Dance Company?

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Like how long were you with the Shanghai Dance Troupe? Um, Shanghai Dance Troupe? Probably, hold on, let me look at my resume please. That was so, way over forty years ago, right?

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Mm… yea that was 1975 to 1979, right? Then um, yeah. So what did you do after you left Beijing?

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There was an in between time, between when you were at the dance school in Beijing and when you went to Shanghai. Actually, I was in the, when I studied

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in the Beijing, the college, was — did you see—China Army Arts College, that means the 北京解放军艺术学院— 中国人民解放军艺术学院. It's the army, but we wear— 军人的衣服 , ha. But actually we're just it's the—like,

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you know, professional so... That time, when we graduate it's during the Cultural Revolution, so and we, I was

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—分配- 分配叫什么? 分配到... 南京那个前线歌舞团还叫什么 . But nobody was doing dance that time, so we would just go to—you

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know, 到部队里面去做 , working in the like a… it's like a… what I say, 护理员，怎么讲? 护理员 ... go to

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the hospital, for 护理员 . Yea so after one year, then I will 复员了就是，复员叫什么？ You finished your work so they let you go? Like completed your term?

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Uh n—no not work, not army anymore maybe... do you want me- do you want to maybe turn off this one? I can look it up. It's okay it's fine, yeah.

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就是复员了 , then I went to Shanghai and I went to the Song and Dance Troupe. Um, so when they sent you to Nanjing, were you—did you know anybody else there or did you go by yourself or?

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Yeah just go by myself. No I don't have anybody was there, and just go with my—some couple of my college students, went there. Um,

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were you scared during that time or was it just something... No I already left home for about six, seven years. I'm not scared anymore . I am very independent.

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Uh-huh. I mean how did you feel about being sent, and like having no choice about what you were doing? I'm sorry? How did you feel that they made you go

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there and...? 那是分配过去嘛 What do you mean? Yes but how did you feel about it? Did you want to go? Oh I—I think it's okay because that is the comp—the dance company. But in the army dance

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company, they—I went, you know, I went there. So. But actually they didn't have during the Cultural Revolution. Nobody's dance—if you are dancer, you don't dance, you just go work in the farm, work in the some, you know.

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We work in the hospital and uh, I'm very short, but I have- I can carry the two bottles of water. Hundred pounds everyday morning, to carry the water for those hospital patients things,

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yeah. And also I still practice the dance in the evening, whenever I have time practice, I dance, you know. And then, you know, we perform it, we have—we perform for them too. That time we were doing “The White-

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Hair Girl ” whatever, we're doing those. You performed for the people in the hospital? Right. Oh okay. Um, so how did you decide you wanted to leave Shanghai and come to

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America? Oh that is the— I think later 1975 or 78 or 9. There is Houston Ballet and other German ballet company went to China.

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That time China just opened the door. So they went to China and we had been closed the door, and don't see anything from outside of China. We see the ballet dancers, beautiful,

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graceful, and lovely. So that make me really want to explore, go to the West to explore with, yeah. So, up to that point had you been doing mostly ballet? Or what other styles were you doing?

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Uh, I'm coming, you mean I'm coming here, right? Uh while you were still in China. Still in China, that time I think I was teaching—because when I was students, we learned ballet and

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the "Chinese Dance". So during the Chinese, the Cultural Revolution, we only- we do lots of ballet because there is a modern ballet for the- like uh, “Red Army”, and “The White-Hair Girl” .

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So we- we all practice ballet—do ballet. And later they want me to, in the uh— I transferred. I was teaching in the Song and Dance Troupe, the dance student group in ballet.

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Then later they transmit to the Ch—uh, Shanghai Dance Academy. I teach "Chinese Dance" there. So I learned all those different things.

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Um... so was it—was your family supportive of your decision to come to the—to come to the US? Yea I think they very support me. Were you the first person to go from your family?

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Or were there—did you know people in America already? Uh, what's your first question? Um, were you the first person from your family to move? Yeah, I'm the first person from my family.

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And, I have a friend in Houston. So that's why I come to Houston. I come with my husband. When did you meet your husband? I'm sorry?

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When did you meet your husband? When did I meet my husband? Um, probably 1973 around— about that time; and married 1975.

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I come here 1981. I already have my daughter. She's 2 and a half years old when I left her in China, with my mother. Um, so

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how did you feel about moving? Was it scary or were you excited? Um, okay it's—it's kinda… lots of things not expected. What surprised you the

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most? Mm, can we cut? Um, I think when we come to the United States, and we only can carry like a $60 for each person.

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So I think when I was arrived, landed on the Los Angeles. I was, you know from an airplane. I was throw up and very hungry, but I couldn't buy. I don't want to buy anything because only $60, have to live here.

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And my husband, we both is F1. My husband have to change to F2, so we don't need to pay that much, too be here, yeah. So did your- did your husband have a job in Houston?

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Oh yeah, he is violinist. He teaching violin, I'm teaching dance. So, I have dancing school, so he teach students—can learn violin, and dance together yeah.

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Um and how was the—how was training in Houston different than how you trained in China? Uh... ask the question again please? How was the training in Houston different than what you did in China?

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Okay. I was teaching professional in China Professional School, so much more strict. And so, in here, I started teaching the girl, age was three. And I'm learning that, when I come and learning how to

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teach the age was three years old. I remember first time I was studying in the U of H, then I transfer to the TSU to study English. So I think there's En—English as a Second Language college they have a

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director called Dr. Molloy. And I was teaching the weekend college dance class. They're also uh, learning English, also teaching the

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dance, and also some-some school. So Dr. Molloy was in our teacher, have to be, you know, letting students get interested in dance; then you can, you know, make them interested in dance. But in China, I—I think I'm much more strictly.

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We don't think about that way, we just want to make you better—you know—just only point you what—what we are wrong, what's wrong to improve. But here it's you know. I think that's very good way for the little ones.

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To make them interesting, then they will remember better, then getting better yeah. So did you start learning English when you moved here or before? Uh, when I moved here, I started to learn English in the—in the English as a Second

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Language, but still not—not good because lately uh. When I opened the school, 1984, very busy. Teach in the school by myself and so didn't have time.

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English even getting worse than I was in the se—uh English as a Second Language in the—in that college. Mhm. Uh, did it make teaching harder because you weren't proficient in English yet?

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Uh, first I started teaching, my English teacher's very nice. Ms. Harper, her name is. She teach me how to—how to teach in dance class, give me some, like stand up straight.

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I have to start those basic sentences too. Learn to teach the dance, yeah. Um, did you enjoy teaching children? More than older people?

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Uh, I enjoy to teach the—when they, when they young, I—you really, they are very cute, you love it, you sort of watch them come with the diaper . Then you know, and later on, you see them grow

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up, and they can do very hard technique in ballet and "Chinese Dance", yeah. Um, so did you find that, the way that people did ballet was different when you came here?

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Uh, the western ballet is much graceful and lovely than the China. And we used to, but now they're all getting better. I think they open the door. I think they all learn from Western, yeah.

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Mhm... and then... Um, you did the Pan American competition— Dance fever, in 1983? Yeah. Can you tell us about that?

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Yeah, I think that time, I was arrive not too much —actually I was arrive in December 26th, 1981—so and not too long. That competition started early 1983.

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They choosing from Houston then, you know, go to the- went to the, we went to Los Angeles for the competition. Um, you—what are you interested to about those?

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Oh I think uh, after that, really give me some ideas. I thought, you know, first time I don't know the "Chinese Dance" people will, in how it's "Chinese Dance" in the American; but once we get selected, I feel like, you know, we-

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peop—I think the national TV broadcast. And lots of uh, my friends. They are different city, they call me, so they saw—saw me on the TV things. And uh, I just feel, you know, I can do something here!

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Because after that, and downtown magazine was—downtown ask me perform, my picture was on the downtown magazine, 1983 I think. And some, I have a friend when I was in U of H, study English.

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And have a roommate, and she has some relative in Houston, they—they wanted to learn “Chinese Dance” from me. So I thought maybe I can, you know, the Houston ballet, Janie Parker with Ben Stevenson, take the ballet, the Western

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ballet to the China and, open the— you know—open the door for us and uh. I thought maybe I can do something, like we, like Janie Parker we can bring—I can bring the "Chinese Dance" to the American people. So I just

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really—that really give me something to think about. How did it feel when you won gold? How did I feel? So excited . So excited. I think that because in the Chronicle

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newspaper they have our big picture. I brought it today— the pictures, and the news and so; and Chinese newspaper also broadcast.

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Uh-huh, yea TV. That's the one we had uh, compe—that's in Houston, they take the pictures and on the Chronicle newspaper then also we went to the—the um...

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you know, LA competition. I have some pictures in there. So when you first moved to America were you able to find a community of Chinese people to connect with?

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Um I think I just knew my roommate—my roommate. She have a big family here, so I think I f—the first time when I started my school in 1984, only 8 students. There is one, two, three, four— half of is

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from their family. Um hm. Uh, so how did you feel um- how were you able to adjust to the new culture here?

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Mm I don't know I answer you correct or not. Um, in after I opened my school, I have like a, most of my students we do ba—we used—because the time limit, the students only have um, after school or

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weekend can be able to learn "Chinese Dance", so I used the ballet as like a basic training for all my students. And then, they also take a- do a "Chinese Dance", learning "Chinese Dance", so that way they have a

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good solid foundation. Then they later on, no matter what they do ballet or do Chinese technique, they will be able to do it. So I just used like uh,

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used the some dance. We mix the like uh, ballet technique in the—into the "Chinese Dance", so bring the "Chinese Dance" more advanced, yeah. Um, what do you think was the hardest thing about

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starting your own school and finding the people? I think first time it’s-it’s uh, like start 8 students, then we have lots of performance.

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And that time also I teach at-at the America dancing school. And I teach it them "Chinese Dance", they love it. So I think we perform it at the Houston Festival in Downtown. I have some picture it show this-

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this too. And then-then slowly build up. After build up for while, I think that is 1990—middle of the 90, they have some more "Chinese Dance" school open in Houston.

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I think they-they probably wanted to get student. They all tell the parents we only need once a week. Because I do require my students in the level 3 and up— certain level,

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they need come two times a week. So that way they can have the more solid foundation, but they-they told the parents they only need once a week. Of course parents will want the less time, don’t want to

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spend too much time. If only they need once a week, that will more attractive. So that time is kind of hard time for me, because you know, not many students come here. Some even go to the other school.

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Excuse me. So mmm... I think, but I still keep the two times a week. I don’t wanna low my quality. And think that take time.

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The first time maybe students don’t know, parents feel happy only once a week. After while eventually will see the difference. And there are right now uh... is some other school students.

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They are both my school, hi-hi- high school students and other dancing school has, they both in the Bellaire High School. They are both in the dance team, but my students they have very good technique, can do lots of things. The other

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dancing school students they cannot. They come to our school, want to take a class but cannot catch up with you, you know. Then the mother tell me because in the other school, they don’t have the ballet. They

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just have "Chinese Dance" because you know wherever they not very consistent, like we have syllabus. Level will only have finish what kind of syllabus. In each level, each class will have what call the- the

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class... ... curriculum, yeah. So they-they don’t-they just like— today, we have Chinese teacher, we do we teach Chinese; tomorrow we have hip-hop, we teach hip-hop.

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So that way— so their students, when our students come out, they know most ballet terms, techniques —they all know. So later on they could go to college or other dancing school, they wanna do exercise whatever teacher say the term, they know how

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to do the combination. They- they also, they know what, how is ballet, how to enjoy. Yeah. So I just keep that

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requirement harder. But once— after while, their parents said they see the difference. We still build up very, you know, like I think. After my daughter Janie, she is in the Southern Methodist

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University in Dallas. She is taking dance there, their dance requirement dance course. Then after she graduate, 2001,

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then we discuss and you know, to also to establish “Dance of Asian America”, a company, to bring in the Chinese Culture to the mainstream of society.

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Before , most in the Chinese society. So and then, we doing Chinese culture to the mainstream. And you know she got and select from the Miller

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Outdoor Theater, twice a year to perform in there. And, you know, since we have good quality, we already have like did “East Meets West” in April.

00:33:22.580 - 00:33:36.920

It’s like, this next year will be the 18th annual, and also we just did 14th Annual Splendid China in the—in the October in the Miller Outdoor Theater. And since we keep the good

00:33:36.920 - 00:33:55.870

quality, it’s already that 18 years, 14 years. Um so how involved in the school are you now? Okay, actually it’s-it’s there’s little history things. Um, I was open my school and directed the school

00:33:57.150 - 00:34:15.030

in 1984. After Janie graduate 2011, or 2001, we build- establish the-the “Dance of Asian America”. The school collaborate with Dance of Asian America very well, so bring the very good

00:34:15.090 - 00:34:30.300

quality. And I think on the 20- 2013, we got selected by the “America Got Talent”. And so we compete in the

00:34:30.370 - 00:34:46.900

Chicago and also went to the quarterfinals —in the quarterfinals in the New York City. And then, I think bring the more, you know, high— school to the high level.

00:34:47.820 - 00:35:05.430

And, I think, in the 2015, I was trying to retire. Uh, Janie’s very busy because run company lots of work— it’s nonprofit com-company. And share lots of

00:35:05.480 - 00:35:20.360

proposal things and- and director conduct the performance, very busy. So I was trying looking for some good one can take over my dancing school. I was sold my school 2015 and then,

00:35:21.340 - 00:35:36.700

hope they can collaborate with “Dance of Asian America”, and keep our legacy, and bring to the, you know, the Chinese culture to the mainstream of society in Houston. But actually wasn’t work well.

00:35:37.100 - 00:35:47.620

The other people take over “Mitsi Dancing School”. They’re just- they probably just do different ways, not like the way we keep the quality things.

00:35:47.650 - 00:35:58.570

They are just open in the one year, open the two, three school. Open the three school. So lots of students’ parents just tell me, they- they wasn’t take care the quality.

00:35:59.210 - 00:36:17.150

So that’s why they went to “Dance of Asian America”. So and- and then, I think I was retire for three years, in 2015 to the 2018, I come back to help Janie.

00:36:17.390 - 00:36:32.290

Because she have to do her own company, and also a school to carry the, you know, good quality and legacy to the- for the company. So I was help her to- to doing some

00:36:32.720 - 00:36:48.780

part of job in the- for the “Dance of Asian America Academy” right now. So for after 2015, not—no longer was “Mitsi Dancing School”. Um, so how was it to teach your

00:36:53.590 - 00:37:07.360

daughter? Um, okay. My daughter was tell- tell me because I-I just say that I have to make students more interested. But in the class, I normally never say you do something good. I always say something

00:37:07.360 - 00:37:20.650

not good. She say I always say I not do good and never say anything. I say that I don’t have enough time because before she go to college, she also learn dance from me in my class and also in the Houston Ballet.

00:37:20.680 - 00:37:30.910

I say that I don’t have enough time to say something you good. I only have time to, you know, to point what you not good. Want you to more improve.

00:37:31.390 - 00:37:44.740

I want her, you know, do things very serious, and be more serious. You can—you can do everything good. So do you think you treated your daughter differently than other students?

00:37:45.650 - 00:37:59.210

Yeah, more more MORE serious. Um and what is it like to work with your daughter, making the company?

00:37:59.730 - 00:38:13.560

Okay, after we established- founded the “Dance of Asian America”, 2001- right? First a couple years are very hard, because it’s non-profit, not many no people know you of “Dance of Asian America”.

00:38:14.070 - 00:38:26.980

They not—uh... We need people support, need foundation to support, need fund a budget. Then we can perform— volunteer, you know for the...

00:38:27.420 - 00:38:37.540

and also give our students more benefit to training. And very hard and... but she work real hard. I think she go through this. Build her more strong.

00:38:37.940 - 00:38:52.030

Um how did you find people to donate to your—your company? I think maybe next time you can interview my daughter. You can ask her because she do

00:38:52.130 - 00:39:06.350

almost the job. I-I just you know, she do lots of the paperwork, find budget, find that’s her job. Um can you talk more about the “East Meets West” series?

00:39:06.610 - 00:39:19.620

And what that’s about? “East Meets West” the performance, right? That performance is ... “Dance of Asian America” perform most Eastern dance.

00:39:20.060 - 00:39:30.860

Sometimes we do a few, because our students learn modern dance— Western modern dance too. Do a few modern dance. Most Chinese culture, Chinese style dance.

00:39:31.360 - 00:39:50.020

And then, Janie invite Houston Ballet, Dallas Ballet, or Fort Worth Ballet to, and local— some best modern company, to together collaborate to perform in the “East Meets

00:39:50.080 - 00:40:02.730

West”. This coming next year will be 18 annual. So I think now the Houston mainstream all know this performance. We start with very hard, like I said, we don’t have money.

00:40:02.780 - 00:40:11.920

They would have to do billboard in the highway billboard. We spend all the money there to billboard. And we- we get money from our own

00:40:11.950 - 00:40:21.830

money, we don’t get money. So and to do all this. Then right now we don’t need to do too much of those kind of, you know, advertise.

00:40:22.060 - 00:40:31.640

The people already know. Every year there are lots of people come. I think they enjoy to watch. Um, do you think it’s

00:40:32.770 - 00:40:45.900

hard to mix the Eastern and Western style in one performance? We’re separated. The Western dance is the— they do ballet or modern; and we do Chinese. And

00:40:46.400 - 00:41:00.830

people see the variety, you know. We try to let the—yeah—do those performance and perience the China. We invite the Chi-China, the best dance company come with us.

00:41:02.050 - 00:41:15.660

Performance recently always have like the 15-16 China dancers come with our dancer—“Dance of Asian America dancers” perform together. So we- some of the dance, lots of the...

00:41:15.710 - 00:41:30.430

it’s like even we say that "Chinese Dance", lots of the ballet technique— mix the kind. We wanna also introduce American people the East- East dance. Hope we can go, you know, through the- the

00:41:30.810 - 00:41:43.920

Chinese culture dance to do the... like tie the both side country- people... yeah. Um, what are your current responsibilities with “Dance of Asian America”?

00:41:44.740 - 00:42:01.490

I’m sorry, say that again. What are your current responsibilities for “Dance of Asian America”? Okay, we hope we can be the- like a bridge to bring the Chinese people and the Chinese and Americans, you know, know each other better.

00:42:01.640 - 00:42:22.960

And- and also we to the second purpose is training and our young generation about Chinese culture. And what are the plans for the DAA in the future? The plans?

00:42:23.260 - 00:42:38.510

Plans, yeah. I think it’s still the goal— like I just said that. That’s our goal, to you know, bring more cul-Chinese culture, you know, to the American main society—

00:42:41.710 - 00:42:54.120

promote Chinese culture. Mhm. Oh, um... going back to when you were in the Houston Ballet, um... what were the—what were the

00:42:54.120 - 00:43:09.680

demographics of the people around you? Like the people who were training with you. Were there also people who were also Chinese, or were you the only one? You mean in the Houston Ballet? Mhm, when you first came. When I first came here I was not

00:43:11.970 - 00:43:23.670

by the government. I just come with myself. Yeah, yeah. Come with my-myself. And I just taking some Houston Ballet class. It’s not, you know,

00:43:23.670 - 00:43:34.640

send by the government. So- so that’s why I only have $60. If- if the sent by the government, the partner already have some scholarship forever right.

00:43:35.650 - 00:43:52.990

I just, yeah, come myself. Um, did you- were the people in the classes, did you become friends with them or? Yeah, I have several from that time. And one even be is my—our “Dance of Asian America” board

00:43:52.990 - 00:44:12.610

member. Um, the Ella- Ella McDonald? . Ella... Ella Hamburger yeah. She was in my dance class too, and she really enjoy

00:44:12.610 - 00:44:29.170

and support so. Um, when you started teaching more, did you also have time to perform or did that change? I think when I come, I just said um... I have to go to the s-study English.

00:44:30.380 - 00:44:39.310

Um... also I perform, otherwise people don’t know you. You come from China and why they have to take class from you I do not perform.

00:44:39.890 - 00:44:52.460

So kind of. And I have to practice—if I don’t practice, I don’t wanna go on stage. So I have to practice everyday, and so, very tight the schedule. I think that time I really—my husband and I—

00:44:52.600 - 00:45:05.600

really miss our daughter. But we have keep our very busy to not have time to think about too much. So you said you moved here bef-without your daughter right? Yeah.

00:45:05.870 - 00:45:24.430

So when did you come here? Um, after - excuse me. After 5 years, she come here. Mmm. Um so um, do you think that your husband has influenced your dancing with

00:45:27.110 - 00:45:40.410

his music? Um... hold on second. It’s not in the uh... ballet company. Just- just I hope I have opportunity to learn by taking class there. Learn their- the Western style

00:45:41.070 - 00:45:55.450

ballet. I just really enjoy that and to learn and to watch. So. I think my husband was helping me a lot. Because when we coming here, we don’t know any people here. Just one of my friend.

00:45:55.450 - 00:46:11.220

But if you wanna build your school, everything do yourself. I would still remember my husband was climb, very very high, maybe 24 ladders, go to the—that time I was in the Dynasty Mall—the second floor.

00:46:11.990 - 00:46:25.050

And we don’t have money to hire the design people, design, and the sign company. He have to climb very high ladder to put the banner on there. So just um, help a

00:46:25.190 - 00:46:39.580

lot- lot of performance, he have to help. Uh, pic—take good picture, play the music, so . Help a lot so. How were you able to found your dancing

00:46:40.370 - 00:46:53.390

school? Be able to found my dancing school? Mhm. I start it just like I said, um, my roommate in the U of H, last time. We have like a—you know,

00:46:53.520 - 00:47:12.580

roommate. She has the re—lots of relative here. So I have 8— I start with 8 students, 4 students from her family. Then I just— first time just borrow some other people’s studio and have class; and s-slowly

00:47:12.580 - 00:47:20.590

gradually have more students come. Just like I ha- I have performance. And uh, you know, and student perform, I perform.

00:47:20.720 - 00:47:31.220

So then more people know me. Know the school and… Um, did you also learn other dance styles? Like Jazz or Hip Hop?

00:47:32.100 - 00:47:42.780

Yeah I think I enjoy. When I was came here I have. I teaching Chinese ballet, but also uh, not only learn in Houston Ballet, also go went to some Jazz

00:47:43.790 - 00:48:05.970

com-company. They have class, taking some class, Jazz and Tap. Mmm. I also give some class, um, for the you know, my school something. Oh can we talk more about “America’s Got Talent”, and how you decided

00:48:05.970 - 00:48:20.730

to audition for that? I think, they— “America’s Got Talent” call my daughter, they actually first come looking for, because we have lots of performance dance on the YouTube.

00:48:21.530 - 00:48:35.780

They probably saw that, they called my daughter— “Dance of Asian America”, looking for the company to perform in there. Then, we- actually we that time, because I still have dancing- Mitsi Dancing School, I thought they may—

00:48:37.210 - 00:48:51.000

if use the dance— Mitsi Dancing School go there, probably better for the promote the school. Because company usually perform. It is not that much teach student. So that’s why we use the Mitsi Dancing School to perform in-

00:48:51.400 - 00:49:05.200

in the “America’s Got Talent”. So, I think that all the students very excited and um, excuse me. And um, we are go to

00:49:05.660 - 00:49:16.980

quarterfinals in New York. It’s in the August. August right? And after they’ll still contact us, want us to go next competition.

00:49:20.630 - 00:49:38.880

Ah? It’s called the “Wild Card”, they have to go back. But most Chinese parents, they don’t want the students miss too much school. They want, that’s it— quarterfinal. And so, we didn’t go the- go more so.

00:49:39.630 - 00:49:48.470

But it’s really help the students. They got a lot of experience, life experience. They’re very happy. And yeah.

00:49:48.570 - 00:49:59.980

And also I feel very proud we bring the Chinese culture to the “America’s Got Talent”. And the- the first Chinese group go to there and also national broadcast.

00:50:03.170 - 00:50:11.220

How were you involved during the process? Uh, “Dance of Asian America”? Uh, “America's Got Talent”. Oh “America's Got Talent”.

00:50:12.340 - 00:50:28.810

I think we go to New York about 10 day right? We stay there 10 days. Before— the last day, we have broadcast on there — before that, every day we have practice like six

00:50:29.340 - 00:50:44.240

hour. And because their producer watch you every day after you practice and change. First time we went there, the producer watch— whether we brought dance. Then they point a lot of place

00:50:44.280 - 00:51:02.850

need improve. I think that time, Janie my daughter, she's the most- she's the person to collaborate with the “America's Got Talent” producer, to according their request, and change, change, practice every day, six

00:51:02.970 - 00:51:14.600

hours. So proud of Janie and my students. They're- they're so like a professional. Usually they only do like two, three hour in my studio, they're already tired.

00:51:15.110 - 00:51:28.410

But that time they are practice six hours a day. And very hard work. Never say tired, never sitting down and practice again, again. And after we practice, correct and change, the producer

00:51:28.410 - 00:51:40.830

watch then- then point another things. And next day we need to change again, the students and very collaborate . So we are just very hard

00:51:40.830 - 00:52:01.640

work, like 8 days to change and practice, finally bring the best version on the “America’s Got Talent”. Um, so what do you think your proudest moment has been...

00:52:01.800 - 00:52:22.330

in your life? I think that time when they perform on the “America’s Got Talent” stage. And after they perform and the audience give applaud, and I and my daughter was very proud, all stand up, and so proud

00:52:22.330 - 00:52:39.710

of our student, and so proud that we can, you know, stand on the Radio City Music Hall and also proud of the national TV broadcast, you know, so, so proud of that I think. Um what do you think has

00:52:39.980 - 00:52:59.670

been your greatest accomplishment? I think for the over 31 years in the school, running the school, and training so many— then some of the professional become— and most dance

00:53:00.050 - 00:53:16.100

lovers, and bring their life to enjoy... And I so proud of this. And then right now, I'm feel like very proud to still work with “Dance of Asian America” to bring the- the

00:53:17.920 - 00:53:38.320

Chinese culture on the- the Miller Outdoor, the big stage, to the mainstream of Houston society. I feel very proud of still doing this work. What do you think is the importance of dance in the world

00:53:41.780 - 00:53:52.180

and in our culture? I think, dance make you feel like- you're still- you're enjoying dance... you feel the life is a beautiful.

00:53:52.920 - 00:54:05.430

I think life is beautiful. And also I think when you learning a dance, it's build your… 怎么讲？就是你... 培养你的很认真做事情. Uh, hard work.

00:54:05.430 - 00:54:22.010

So ah? Build discipline right? Oh yeah, that build it help you the whole life. Mhm, and how do you think that is related to

00:54:27.950 - 00:54:48.100

culture and communicating culture to other people? Say it again? How do you think dance is related to communicating culture to other people? Oh okay. Um I think your question remind me one

00:54:48.430 - 00:55:05.790

things. When I was in the teaching, the students- the parents was tell me, they said that their children don't wanna learn Chinese language, but they wanted to go to school to learn "Chinese Dance". And because they feel

00:55:05.790 - 00:55:15.760

really safe. Like weekend, their kids take a dance bag, go to your school. They know where they are, they know who they hang around.

00:55:16.780 - 00:55:31.370

So I think that- that I feel like I can, you know, teach— go through teach "Chinese Dance" to teach them Chinese culture. You know, so I feel my work is more meaningful, you

00:55:31.370 - 00:55:46.690

know, teach them Chinese culture. Did I answer your questions? Yeah. Um, how do you think your relationship with dance has changed over time when you

00:55:46.770 - 00:56:01.740

first started learning to where you are now? Good question again. Getting harder. Sorry. Um uh... Maybe the role of dance? Yeah. How has the role of dance in your life changed.

00:56:04.400 - 00:56:17.180

Say the first question maybe better one. Like, how has your relationship with dance like, is dance number one, how has it changed? How have you and dance changed over time?

00:56:18.260 - 00:56:34.030

Change my life? Mmm sure. You and your relationship with dance, like maybe when you started when you're young, how- how did you feel about it? And now like how do you feel about dance?

00:56:34.080 - 00:56:46.440

Do you think is it different for you? Okay, when I was the young, I just love it! To dance on the stage, to make up, to wear a pretty dress... Because that time, that was just like so.

00:56:46.860 - 00:57:01.660

I go to the professional school, that just said, I just realize that it's not what I thought that easy to just perform. When you want to go to on the stage, performing professional, you have practice every day and

00:57:01.660 - 00:57:17.250

hard work— then you can present good on a stage. I think that also build me, you know, discipline and build me to how to … 就是 .. 培养你自己一个...

00:57:17.250 - 00:57:33.290

怎么样... 认真... hard work to, yeah, too. That is really support the whole my life and work. I don't know I answer your question or not. Oh yeah. How are you involved in the Asian American

00:57:33.780 - 00:57:50.730

community in Houston besides dance? Besides Asia America Houston. Oh okay. Asia America or mainstream. Okay we often perform for the, like

00:57:53.160 - 00:58:01.990

Asian- lots of association. They have meeting things. We often, you know, volunteer perform there, and to support like...

00:58:03.040 - 00:58:17.060

or different associations. Most go through the dance. Um... have you had any major inspirations in

00:58:18.430 - 00:58:25.180

your career? Any really important mentors or teachers? 能不能关掉一下?