I always worried I'd forget my lines or say the wrong words or the audience would laugh in the wrong places.

It's curious how we act in moments of personal despair.

Dreams do come true, even for someone who couldn't speak English and never had a music lesson or much of an education.

One time I introduced my orchestra as the Shampoo Music Makers instead of the Champagne Music Makers.

My accent remained terrible. It was very hard for me to initiate any conversation with someone I didn't know.

I always worried I'd forget my lines or say the wrong words or the audience would laugh in the wrong places.

If I live to be 90, and I'm planning to, I'll always love performing for a live audience.