Actress, comedian and lyric soprano Miki Yamashita is a singer and teaching artist with the Los Angeles Opera. She made her main stage debut in the role of Marcellina in “Figaro 90210”. With the LA Opera’s community engagement division, Miki has fused her New England Conservatory-trained voice with her unique comedy chops to perform roles as diverse as a hungry coyote, a grandmother bird spirit and Turandot.

Born and raised in Massachusetts, Miki studied acting at Yale University and holds a B.A. in English from Mount Holyoke College. Miki has performed the role of Connie Wong in the national tour of “A Chorus Line”, and the roles of Maria in “West Side Story” and Tuptim in “The King and I” in various respected regional theaters across the country.

At the Walt Disney World Resort, Miki performed full-time as an improvisational and sketch comedy performer and created the role of the Indian Maiden in the live production of “The Jungle Book” at Disney’s Animal Kingdom. Her one-woman show “The Geisha Next Door” has been presented at Upright Citizens’ Brigade in Los Angeles, and she continues to perform on many of LA’s comedy stages, such as Largo at the Coronet, IO West and ACME Comedy Theatre.

As a television actress, Miki has appeared in principal roles on “Law & Order”, “The Tonight Show”, “Jimmy Kimmel Live”, “One Life To Live” and “As The World Turns”. She is a proud member of SAG-AFTRA, Actors Equity Association and AGMA.

Full name: 
Miki Yamashita

Hometown:
South Hadley, Massachusetts

Current City: 
Los Angeles, California

Ethnicity: 
Japanese American

What does it mean to you to “Go Against The Grain?”

“If this question is not about eating carbs, I am not on board. I think it takes a lot of courage to speak up consistently whenever you see yourself needlessly excluded or you are made to feel invisible. In the entertainment industry, unlike other professional worlds, there are all kinds of loopholes that enable the exclusion of women and minorities. ‘Going Against The Grain’ means calling out the most powerful people in my industry whenever I see this happening. It also it means maintaining a level of excellence in so many different skills that when the rare opportunity arises that requires someone of my ethnicity, chances are I will be able to execute with confidence whatever skill they need me to perform.”

What made you decide to pursue a career in this industry?

“When I was little, my parents saw that I had an intense interest in the performing arts. As I grew older, my passion only grew. I don’t think I consciously decided at a certain point to pursue my industry professionally, it’s more of a lifelong calling.”

What have been some of the challenges you faced/lessons you learned as an Asian American in this field?  

“The most difficult thing for me to accept about my field is that unlike other professions, it is rarely a meritocracy. The individual who puts in the most effort is not necessarily the most rewarded. Seniority and experience is mostly irrelevant. And “creative choice” can be used as an excuse for racial exclusion and discrimination. It is extremely difficult to reconcile this reality with the values I was taught growing up.”

What do you feel is your biggest accomplishment, and why?
“My biggest accomplishment is that I have not given up on my pursuit of artistic excellence despite the chaotic nature of my industry.”

What’s up next?
“This fall, I will continue my work with Los Angeles Opera, performing in their community engagement productions, and hope to continue producing and hosting my comedy/opera performance series, Opera Off the Cuff, which showcases emerging classical singers of color in Los Angeles.”

Quote to live by:
“Never underestimate opportunity’s ability to disguise itself.” – Meg Whitman, former CEO, eBay

Sign (Eastern Animal Sign & Western Zodiac):
“I think year of the Chicken? For sure I know I am a Taurus.”

Passionate about:
“Figure skating, fashion, ballet, office supplies”

Favorite food:
“Meat sauce”

Can’t live without:

“Cats”

I Go Against The Grain #beCAUSE:
“If I didn’t, I’d still be sitting in a cubicle being financially stable and thoroughly miserable.”

LT Diana Tran-Yu was a CEO of Comprehensive Cardiac Diagnostics & Wellness and a former director over five departments: Pharmacy, Private Branch Exchange Operators, Concierge/Lobby, Pastoral Care and Administrator of Investigational Research Board at HCA – West Houston Medical Center. She has mentored hundreds of undergraduate/graduate students, acting as an adjunct faculty, preceptor and board advisor to multiple schools and universities and speaking on leadership at graduate schools and cultural centers nationwide.

LT Tran-Yu is an active leader with the American College of Health Care Executives (ACHE – Southeast Texas Chapter) and a former board member, Secretary and Treasurer of the Asian Healthcare Leaders Association (AHCLA). An active proponent of the Drug Enforcement Agency (DEA), LT Tran-Yu graduated from the DEA Citizens Academy and served as the DEA Houston Ambassador. She was a former TV medical segment show host for Vietnamese American Network (VAN-TV) and former Radio Talk Show Host for Vietnamese American Broadcasting (VAB). She has received numerous awards and accolades for her work as a humanitarian activist and for her thousands of volunteer hours dedicated to serving communities.

LT Tran-Yu was commissioned as a Navy Reserve Lieutenant Medical Service Corps attached to the Expeditionary Medical Facility – Dallas One, then recalled to serve active duty in the Medical Officer Programs recruitment for the Navy Recruiting District Houston. She will transition to Navy Recruiting Command – Navy City Outreach Officer for the Southwest Region, responsible for supporting mission of Navy awareness, diversity and STEM SeaPerch programs of five Navy Recruiting Districts that serve nine states.

At the age of six, she fled with her family from Vietnam and lived as refugees in Thailand and West Germany before immigrating to the United States when she was ten. She speaks four languages and is a graduate of the University of Pacific – School of Pharmacy, Houston Baptist University for her Doctor of Pharmacy, Master of Science Healthcare Administration, MBA (Cert) and Fellow of the American College of Healthcare Executives.

Full name: 
Diana Tran-Yu

Hometown:
Vietnam

Current City: 
Houston, TX

Ethnicity: 
3/4 Vietnamese and 1/4 Chinese

What does it mean to you to “Go Against The Grain?”
“‘Going Against The Grain’, I believe, is the hallmark of a successful leader in taking the road less traveled. I value the impact that I am not just following the crowd but forging the way to taking maverick high risks, creat[ing] a vision that others may see as not the norm and enroll[ing] others along the way to this unconventional journey of Courageous Leadership!”

What made you decide to pursue a career in this industry?
“I had wanted to serve to protect our freedom and be committed to something bigger than myself. I had wanted to give back to a country that had given my parents and millions of refugees from all over the world a second home to establish a new life, a new future full of hopes and dreams, not only for themselves but for their children’s children.

My career blossomed years ago when I went to get a hair cut at the age of 17 years-old. My hair stylist, Tracy, persuaded me to enter a beauty pageant contest for Ms. Teen Houston Asian American. She said, “You are tall, you’ll have a good chance to win.” Plus, she said, “I will give you a free hair cut.” At that age, my desire was simple, get a free hair cut. 🙂

I have never entered such a contest before nor had I had any formal training in beauty pageants. I really did not know what to expect. Little did I know that entering the pageant would change my life. With the Angels at my side, I won. It was then that I had met my now-godparents Dr. Vu Ban and Mrs. Bich Ngoc. Years later, they told me that when I strutted down the catwalk, they knew that I would be the winner. Part of winning the prize was to enter the Mayo-Hill Modeling School on a full scholarship. Next thing I knew, I was trained to be a professional runway model. I enjoyed that part of my life immensely while attending the DeBakey High School for the Health Professions.

Being a professional runway model was only in the cards for a few years to help pay for college at the University of Houston. After completing my undergrad, I headed to the University of the Pacific for graduate studies in Pharmacy. I practiced in different types of pharmacy clinical settings and wanting to further my career, took the MCAT, LSAT, DAT, GMAT, and GRE. Although I was accepted into many grad schools, I chose to pursue my Master in Healthcare Administration and learn more about the business side of healthcare from Houston Baptist University, later becoming a Fellow of the American Health Care Executives.

My desire to serve has always been ingrained deep into my genes. I came from a military family with uncles and cousins who have served and are currently serving in all different branches (Air Force, Navy, Army and Marines). My cousin CAPT Nguyen joined the Navy right out of dental school. They all have made a huge impact in my life. On my 40th birthday, I walked straight into a recruiting office and signed up. The entire recruitment process to become a Naval Officer took more than two years.”

What have been some of the challenges you faced/lessons you learned as an Asian American in this field?

“In my civilian life, I have served in many high-level leadership roles in whichI was the final decision maker. I was calling the ‘shots.’

In the military, I had to learn to adjust to the idea that every action or decision that I make will need to be vetted through the proper chain of command. There are more rules, guidelines and policies to be followed. My action or decision ties back to the UCMJ (Uniform Code of Military Justice).”

What do you feel is your biggest accomplishment, and why?
“My parents are refugees from Viet Nam. We had immigrated to America by escaping the Vietnamese Communist via a small fishing boat. We ended up in Thailand, West Germany and then the U.S. Our family started out with just my mom, dad, brother and me. We have been through hardships in life that most families don’t experience in their life time. My dad was stabbed from an armed robbery in a small convenience store that we owned. Years later, my dad, mom and brother were shot by men in ski masks robbing them in their own home.

I am proud of the fact that I was strong to help be that strength of armor in absolute resilience, to carry them through the valleys of life. I feel truly blessed to have their support in permitting me to service. I have a very close relationship with not only my parents, siblings, sibling-in-laws but the entire extended family. My grandparents were blessed with 16 children, so you can only imagine the number of uncles, aunts and cousins that I have, not only in the States but also overseas.

Almost 13 years ago, I formed an nonprofit – Youth for the Fundraising of the Viet Nam War Memorial. I felt compelled to make a difference upon hearing on the radio that the original fundraising project had never come to fruition due to a lack funding and committed interest from the community.

I contacted my best friend and also daughter Billiana’s godmother, Cindy Nguyen, to share my ideas. She had suffered end-stage breast cancer that had radiated to her lungs and brain. Having gone through chemotherapy and radiation to support in her recovery, the three of us became more than the best of friends, we were more like warriors wanting to make a difference in society. I presented the idea to her that instead of writing a check to contribute to the fundraising efforts, I felt compelled to do more – create a nonprofit to help raise funds. I served as the chairman and also the spokesperson in charge of all tasks.

Our group consisted of young professionals, college and high school students. It became more than 100 members strong, all made up of committed volunteers. The fundraising efforts taught me that in order to get the buy-in from the community, I had to lend my voice to as many radio and TV appearances as possible. Through the power of media, we not only captured the attention of the Greater Houston area but that of the world. We received contributions from individuals all the way to Fortune 500 companies. Our message reached the world through different TV stations, newspapers, magazines and even BBC-TV. It also reached the hearts of the mothers and fathers of the deceased veterans.

A mother of a soldier who had passed in the war shared her story all the way from Paris, France. She was blind and in her nineties at the time. She wrote how proud she [was] of our contribution to pay tribute to our fallen heroes and included a $1,000 check donation with her letter. ‘Although I will never get to travel to Houston to see the memorial,’ she wrote, ‘I know that my son in Heaven will see it. Thank you for paying tribute to my beloved son.’ This was one of hundreds of letters of support that we received.

We raised more than $250,000 for the Viet Nam War Memorial paying tribute to the men and women who had sacrificed for freedom! The Memorial is made up of two bronze statues – an American soldier and an Asian American soldier, standing about 20 feet tall, located in the heart of the International District of Southwest Houston (formerly known as Chinatown). The Memorial has been visited by thousands of visitors from all over the world.

A few day[s] after the memorial was erected, my best friend passed. If you ever have a chance to visit Houston, please stop by to visit the Memorial. To the right of statue, you’ll find a cement bench with her name engraved, dedicated in memory of my best friend.

Through the fundraising efforts and being in the public eye, I was later invited to host my own health radio show called “Vietnamese American Broadcasting”. A few years later, I became host of my own health TV show with the Vietnamese American Network TV Channel 55.2.

With my full-time dedication to serving to our country, I no longer could afford to dedicate to hosting the TV show; I can’t help to reminisce about it from time to time.

What’s up next?

“I am a true believer in living one day at a time. I can only ask God to grant me good health to give to Service – U.S. Navy for 20 years and beyond.

I also desire to one day continue my service in the governmental sector. Given my long-standing career in the medical field, I would like to someday contribute in a leadership role in the VA Hospitals System to ensure that our veterans are very well taken care of!”

Quote to live by:
“Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.” – Mahatma Gandhi

Sign (Eastern Animal Sign & Western Zodiac):
“Eastern animal is a Rooster. Western Zodiac: Libra.”

Passionate about:
“Making a difference to society and leaving a legacy of service.”