Teaching workshops in English are much easier because you can use full description and detail with what you are trying to teach. This tour to Japan is my first outreach tour outside the United States and thinking about the language barrier was definitely intimidating.

During the very first few hours of my first workshop in Japan I had to teach the Blue high school sopranos their part in our Beatles choral medley. Honestly I was very worried because I know little to no Japanese and therefore I was seriously wondering if I would be able to accomplish it.

I had the girls sit in a circle on the floor and began trying to explain what I was doing. A few minutes in I asked how many of them understood what I was saying. About three out of twenty raised their hands. I looked at each girl around the circle and apologized that they could not understand me. Then the girl next to me looked into my eyes and said, “it is ok Carina…because we understand your heart.”

I LOVE JAPAN!!!!

Carina Wesala, YA