On November 7th  five students from SFVJLI were given an opportunity to use their Japanese outside of Japanese school.  Kianna Bertolino, Natsumi Hagiwara, Katy Kawada, Hana Richardson and Sadako Shirtcliff performed with the Nishimura Minyo Kai at the Japan America Theatre.  The Nishimura Minyo Group is a very popular local Minyo group led by Nishimura Kayo Sensei.  The kids sang a medley of songs in English, Japanese, Chinese and Korean with the Minyo group.  It was a very long day, however the kids did a great job representing the school.

The second  part of the show featured Fumiyo Otsuka.  He is a very famous Minyo singer from Japan.  Some of their songs were accompanied by a Shamisen. Shakuhachi, a Taiko and an understudy student.  As an added treat the kids were asked to dance in  Fumiyo Otsuka’s closing number.

We understand that this show will be aired by NHK in Japan.  What a treat for the kids!