We met Tommy when Arika was still in her teens, after we had moved from Michigan and were attending dance classes in West Hollywood with the lyrical dance teacher, Doug Caldwell who was popular at dance conventions.
Without any knowledge of dance- related know-how, the mother and daughter simply drove along the highway everyday through the endless barren land to get to the dance studio.
Just as the simple forms initially drawn on a blank canvas gradually transformed into colorful and beautiful works, Arika’s talent became more apparent with each passing day, and when combined with her unrelenting will and hard work, all kinds of opportunities arose.
But that was only possible with Tommy’s undeniable help.
Meeting Tommy has taught us everything we needed to know as Non- American parent, and through the Art of Dance, he has instilled in us the essential elements of Arika’s development, from head to toe. I cannot discuss her current and future success without mentioning this encounter.
Fumie Yamada