PRINCIPAL

Yina Hong is the Founder and Principal of HongArt, where she has built a community centered on creativity, mentorship, and artistic excellence. With a lifelong passion for art education, she believes that every student has the ability to grow through thoughtful guidance, curiosity, and consistent practice.

As Principal, Yina oversees the vision and direction of HongArt, cultivating a supportive environment where students from Pre-K through 12th grade are encouraged to explore, experiment, and develop their unique artistic voices. Her commitment to high-quality education and meaningful mentorship has shaped HongArt into a place where young artists gain not only technical skills, but also confidence, discipline, and a lifelong appreciation for the creative process.

DIRECTOR

LEAD HIGH SCHOOL INSTRUCTOR

Rachel is a graduate of California Institute of the Arts (CalArts), where she earned her BFA in Character Animation. She has also studied at Gobelins, L'École de L'Image and the Rhode Island School of Design (RISD).

As Director of HongArt, Rachel oversees the school's educational programs, curriculum development, and teaching staff while continuing to lead the High School Program and its college portfolio preparation curriculum. She is dedicated to helping students develop both technical skill and a strong artistic voice.

Under her guidance, students have been admitted to top institutions including the Brown | RISD Dual Degree Program, RISD, Washington University in St. Louis, NYU, Carnegie Mellon, CalArts, ArtCenter College of Design, USC, UCLA, UC Berkeley, and many other leading art and design schools.

ASSISTANT DIRECTOR

ELEMENTARY LEAD INSTRUCTOR

Yunjoo serves as HongArt's Assistant Director, where she supports program development, teacher collaboration, and the day-to-day operations of the school while continuing to teach Pre-K through elementary students. With additional experience in special education, she creates engaging, hands-on learning experiences that foster creativity, confidence, and a lifelong love of art.

She holds a Master's degree in Performing Arts from Chung-Ang University in Seoul, specializing in Performance Design and Theatre Design with a focus on stage design and special effects (SFX) makeup. Her background in theatrical design brings imagination, storytelling, and creative problem-solving into both the classroom and the broader educational programs at HongArt.

MIDDLE SCHOOL

LEAD INSTRUCTOR

Roxie holds a BFA in Illustration from the Rhode Island School of Design and a Master’s degree in Animation from the USC School of Cinematic Arts. As the current instructor for middle school students, she combines her extensive expertise in drawing, painting, and design with a special focus for introducing young artists to the dynamic realm of digital arts. Roxie is dedicated to nurturing her students' creativity by integrating multimedia approaches and innovative techniques, helping them build a solid foundation for their future artistic endeavors.

HIGH SCHOOL

INSTRUCTOR

Revel is a graduate of Art Center’s entertainment design program and a LA-based artist with experience in animation and live action, dedicated to teaching and mentoring high school students. With a strong background in storyboarding, sculpture, digital, and fine arts, Revel brings a well-rounded approach to creative education. They aspire to helping young artists develop their skills, expand their artistic voices, and explore new storytelling possibilities across various mediums.

MIDDLE SCHOOL + SPECIAL EDUCATION

INSTRUCTOR

David Park is a CalArts graduate with a BFA in Character Animation. He brings a strong emphasis on artistic fundamentals, with expertise in drawing, painting, and watercolor, alongside digital art instruction. David specializes in animation and art college portfolio preparation, helping students build technically strong and cohesive bodies of work. He is dedicated to guiding students in developing confidence, discipline, and a solid artistic foundation.

SPECIAL EDUCATION + ELEMENTARY

INSTRUCTOR

Eunjung is an elementary and special education art educator and a graduate of Chugye University for the Arts, where she studied Korean and Asian Traditional Painting. She holds a Book Art Teaching Credential from Yonsei University and has taught Book Art and portfolio programs at Yonsei University, SADI, Sungkyunkwan University, and Hyundai Department Store Cultural Center.

She loves creating a joyful and welcoming space where every child feels encouraged to explore, create, and express their unique ideas. Through hands-on art experiences, she helps students build creativity, confidence, and a lasting love for art.

SPECIAL EDUCATION + ELEMENTARY

INSTRUCTOR

Kevin is a graduate of CalArts, where he earned his BFA in Character Animation. With a versatile mixed-media approach, he brings strong skills in the fundamentals with a focus on digital art and animation. He aims to spark creativity while creating a welcoming and imaginative space for exploration. Together with Kevin, students will harness their artistic growth and build confidence through curiosity, patience, and perseverance.

SPECIAL EDUCATION

INSTRUCTOR

Green is a Los Angeles-based educator and artist with a background in character animation, student support, and creative instruction. She studied character animation at the California Institute of the Arts and is currently completing her elementary teaching credential through CalState TEACH. With experience as a behavior technician working with special needs students, she brings patience, empathy, and a thoughtful approach to helping learners grow.

Drawing from a strong foundation in visual storytelling and hands-on education, Green is passionate about creating inclusive, engaging learning experiences that support student confidence and self-expression. She values creativity, connection, and individualized support in the classroom.

SPECIAL EDUCATION + ELEMENTARY

INSTRUCTOR

Sarah is an ArtCenter graduate with a BFA in Illustration Design. She is a multidisciplinary artist who specializes in editorial illustration and painting. She also has abundant experience in digital illustration, sculpting, woodworking, printmaking, and more. She is dedicated to nurturing a love and passion for the arts as well as a good foundation for skill and technique in children.