When Abby Krumrine started touring with the Young Americans after she graduated from high school, she had no idea her younger brother, Sam, would soon be on tour with her.
Now the pair is touring in Japan and loving every minute of it.
‘Sam will be celebrating his 19th birthday in Katsushika,? said mom, Michele Krumrine. ‘I’m sure it will be unforgettable.?
The Krumrines keep in touch with their kids, Abby, a 2005 Lake Orion graduate, and Sam, a 2007 graduate, through e-mail as they are touring.
‘Every email Abby sends includes ‘awesome!? and ‘amazing!? said Michele. ‘She said the drive through Osaka was the most ‘beautiful? drive she’s ever been on.?
The pair left for Japan early last month, and according to Michele, they have around 24 workshops scheduled there, each running for two to three days.
On the road, the Young Americans stay with home stay families, and in between teaching and performing, the group has been staying at the Olympic Center.
‘The home stays are great,? Abby said. ‘Every three days, we are living with a new family, experiencing different foods, cultures and ways of life.?
According to Michele, after one of their shows, the group stayed the night at a Buddhist temple.
‘In the morning, they attended a meditation session, had a good breakfast and then spent some time working in the gardens,? Michele explained.
The touring, teaching and performing that is the life of the Young Americans is something both Krumrine siblings enjoy immensely.
‘It’s amazing. I love it,? Abby said. ‘It was like two worlds coming together.?
‘The people we are around are the most incredible people I’ve ever met,? she added.
In addition to being around a group of people they admired, the pair gets to share the experience together.
‘That’s all we wanted to do,? Abby said. ‘Tour together.?
‘What more can I ask for,? Sam added. ‘I don’t think I could get any luckier. We have three months to hang out and share this experience together.?
According to Sam, the siblings were extremely close when they were younger, went their own ways a little as they got older and are once again not only siblings, but also friends.
‘I think we’ve learned to appreciate each other,? Sam said.
‘It’s so crazy to watch him grow, and I’m trying to let him learn his own way,? Abby said. ‘I’m so proud of him. I never thought I would my watching my brother do this.?
Being a Young American means both dancing and singing, which for Abby, was not such a foreign concept as she had studied dance throughout her life, though she said she has grown more as a singer.
For Sam, who approached it from the opposite end as more of a singer, the dancing was definitely a new concept, and he’s had to learn a variety of dances, but he seems to have the moves and has been given a solo.
‘I never ever thought I would be dancing a hip hop solo,? Sam said with a laugh.
‘My jaw dropped,? Abby added. ‘I was so shocked, but I’m really proud of him.?
In addition to performing, the group teaches the workshop participants, a new experience for both siblings.
‘I’ve just found that you got to give it as much as you can,? said Sam.
‘It’s hard to imagine that you can do something and have an effect,? he added, ‘but you change their life and they change yours. It’s so satisfying.?
For Abby, being around different types of people has taught her about her own life.
‘Being part of this group has helped me appreciate living,? she said. ‘You see kids, especially overseas, that taking the Young American workshop is the best thing they’ve ever done because they don’t have anything. It just makes you appreciate life.?
And while they enjoy seeing the world, they are glad to call Lake Orion home.
‘Growing up here has been such a positive experience,? Sam said.
‘It’s a good place to come home to,? Abby added.
Both kids said they are thankful for all the support they have gotten from their parents, who are musical in their own rights.
Their dad used to sing and their mom used to dance, so Sam said they are kind of ‘following in their footsteps.?
‘You can see the similarities in us,? he added, ‘but we are all own our person.?