An audition at UC before she left resulted in an invitation to enroll. Mostly, words and thoughts come spilling out in a rush. Ms. Funakoshi doesn't hide the excitement she feels about performing in Cincinnati. She's nervously anticipating spotting her former professors front and center when she steps onstage. Ms. Funakoshi is grateful to teachers who were generous as she struggled with the unfamiliar language and culture, mentioning Oleg Sabline, Carol Iwasaki, Yi-Qi Cheng and especially Shellie Cash.
Many dancers pass on academics to go straight to the stage.
She felt that same urgency. No matter what, my parents wanted me to be college educated. That was a big fight I had with my parents. Now she admits that decision made a career more plausible. I was really still a baby.