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~ Mr. Clarence and Mrs. Patricia McMiller ~

The McMillers were remarkable patrons of Tajiri Arts. Mrs. McMiller was one of the first instructors. She possessed the gift of Sign

Language ― a necessary skill for the Special Need students as well as the general student population. Because of her influence, some
Tajiri students that pursued a college education majored in Sign Language and Speech Therapy. Other Tajiri students became interpreters

at local churches, vividly expressing the Gospel as told in sermons and songs. Mr. McMiller was faithful beyond compare. He would travel

over 50 miles from Deltona to Sanford to bring his wife to teach and rehearse for our productions. I was so impressed with their excellent
devotion and commitment.

Thank you so very much, Mr. and Mrs. McMiller!
~ Mr. Earl E. Minott ~

The late Mr. Earl Minott introduced me to the art of singing classical music, including Handel, Bach, Beethoven, Negro Spirituals, and
Anthems. He said, “If you are going to be in my chorus and take voice lessons, you will need to give up being a cheerleader.” This really

worked out for me because although I could yell and shake, I could not do splits or flips, so his requirement that I quit was the perfect
solution to my dilemma. After all, I had begun to feel very insecure and stupid about being on a cheerleading squad, but unable to perform

to the maximum.

Mr. Minott believed in me and put everything he could into teaching me. I first started taking voice lessons in Mr. Minott’s studio, located

several blocks from my high school. It was enjoyable because I could walk and talk with my friends. His studio was on the west side of

town, and I lived on the east side. After my lessons, I would catch a cab home.

The studio was downstairs in this apartment building, and he had roomers on the top floor. They would yell downstairs, “Stop that
hollerin’ and screamin’,” as I took my voice lessons, especially when I did my vocalization exercises. (Mr. Minott told me this years later,

when I was a student in college). I never heard them!