musictime2

It was an hour and a half before it was time to catch my plane. I was advised by my new Supervisor, Shiho Tamamaki, to pack lightly. Strike one! My intended three bags of luggage had somehow morphed into five as I maneuvered my way like a football player through the Columbus International Airport. “Flight 2371 Northwest Airlines Flight to Japan will begin boarding momentarily” the intercom advised. Today marked a new day in my life!

Oh, sorry! I haven’t introduced myself. My name is Erik Dillard and I am a Vocal Instructor. Singing has always been my passion, but within the past several years teaching music has somehow taken over. I’m doing what I’ve always done, but in a different way. One of my good friends calls this: reinventing yourself. You’re probably wondering… “Huh?! If you’re a Vocal Instructor, what in the heck are you doing flying to Japan?!”

Well, rewind a few years. In 2005, I interviewed to become a foreign music instructor. My interview took place at 1:00am, in the middle of the night, in a hotel lobby, in Queens New York. For my job orientation, I was told that I wasn’t allowed to get any “action” while in Japan. Yes, the word “action” was the Japanese political equivalent for “sex.” And yes, the word “action” was said as the interviewer, a 4’8” lady, thrust her pelvis at me with a very stern look of warning. I know that sounds crazy, but trust me, it was the funniest interview I had ever had in my life!

So, I’ll fast forward back to the present. There I was, finally on the plane, traveling to Japan for the first time. Well, my first experience on the plane was probably the funniest. Being an American, I was well accustomed to our main dietary rule “let there be sugar, sugar and MORE SUGAR!” I applied this principle as I was served my first cup of Japanese Green Tea after the airplane took off. Like a good American, I took my five packets of sugar and poured them ALL into my tiny tea cup, stirring it proudly! Suddenly, I began to hear a small giggle beside me. I turned to my left to see a cute little Japanese lady fighting to hold in her laughter. “Did I do something wrong?” I asked beginning to smile from her infectious laughter. “We aaaaaaaaaaaalways drink our tea bitter… aaaaaaaaalways bitter”. Wanting to make a good impression, I politely asked for a new cup of tea. It was my first time drinking tea with “no” sugar. It was so difficult at first, but soon I grew used to the all-natural taste. After my tea, the Japanese lady bowed to me as a sign of approval. Wow! My first Japanese bow! There was so much to learn about Japan. I had come a long way, but still had such a long way to go! J

More next time…

Erik Dillard