Testimonials
Together the instructors of Right Brain Academy of Art have over twenty years experience teaching art to students of all ages. Below are some testimonials from former and current students
“I started art lessons when I was five. In the past twenty years since then, I’ve had many instructors.
I graduated from UC Irvine with a B.A. in Art in 2017. Now, I’m studying Illustration at Art Center College in Pasadena, CA.
These experiences allow me to say with great certainty that Rebecca and Corey are amongst the best art instructors and life mentors one might have the fortune of finding.
My time at Art Center has helped me fully appreciate how thoughtfully Rebecca and Corey curated my art education. They helped me develop the tools I needed to feel capable and competent in a highly competitive environment. Part of this has to do with Right Brain's heavy emphasis on traditional training and conceptual understanding. In other words, they taught me how to draw, see, and think.
When I was younger, I felt rushed to work digitally as soon as possible to be relevant (aka “Instagram famous”). I’m learning now that when you’re able to design and paint, you can do anything. From personal experience and observation, artists who move most successfully into the digital realm have a strong traditional background rooted in painting and drawing. Photoshop, Procreate, and so on are just tools they use to develop their vision more quickly. I’m grateful to Rebecca and Corey for understanding this far before I could.
Right Brain gave me a safe space to explore, make mistakes, and take creative risks. Everything I learned at RBAA— research, ideation, observational drawing, painting, experimentation with medium and process—form the basis for my artistic practice now. Whatever future success I might experience, I owe in part to the foundation and community that I developed here.”
- Alice Yang, ArtCenter College of Design
“Whatever your reason is for looking for an art school whether it’s: to make a great portfolio, to get better at painting, or because your child loves to draw like I did, Right Brain Academy of Art should be your final decision because of instructors Corey Peters and Rebecca Chen.
They have been instrumental in sending me to and in my success at both Syracuse University’s architecture program, #3 in the nation, and currently as a transfer at Cornell University’s program, #1. When my professors, my classmates, or guest critics tell me my work is so exciting, beautiful, or far ahead of my classmates, I can only direct the praise towards the unparalleled instruction I’ve received from Corey and Rebecca. I can confidently say this because I have taken design courses at amazing places like: Art Center, SCI-Arc, Syracuse, and Cornell and I have not come across a single professor that can match Corey and Rebecca in simply how much they care.
They care about your well being, they are invested in your work, and they are dedicated to your development not only as an artist, but also as a person. This doesn’t mean they go easy on their students though, and I know firsthand because I’ve been learning from them since I was twelve. They train their students to be the best artists and designers possible, so their expectations are high, but if you put in the time they will take your abilities to heights you never knew existed before.
What truly separates their teaching from their competition is that they craft individualized curriculum for each of their students. They do not have a cookie cutter portfolio formula they simply stick every student through; they tailor a program around each student’s own interests, abilities, and goals.
My achievements are a testament to their expertise, so please do yourself a favor and make an appointment now to find out what they can offer you. Then take that free trial class and signup before the wait list gets too long.”
- Andy Chen, Cornell University and Syracuse University
“I’ve been under the guidance of Corey and Rebecca for almost 10 years. They taught me a wide variety of skills ranging from basic fundamentals of drawing, including human anatomy, composition and color theory to advanced design principles such as incorporating narrative into a piece and discovering design motifs. Thanks to their help, I was accepted into Art Center’s exclusive Entertainment Design program. I highly recommend Right Brain Academy of Art if you are looking for committed and knowledgeable art teachers.”
- Orlando Chen, ArtCenter College of Design
“My interest in art did not manifest until late into my sophomore year of high school when I discovered that I would need to learn how to draw and make an art portfolio for architecture college applications. In desperation, I quickly enrolled into a local art school that taught me how to sketch observationally through pencil and charcoal. As a result, my fledgling mind improperly perceived art as a matter of how accurately I could transfer what I saw in real life onto paper. After quitting that local art school and enrolling at RBAA instead, my interpretation of art was redefined.
When I first started taking classes here, I arrived with a dream of becoming an architect and ambition to make that far-fetched dream a reality, but I also came with absolutely no design experience and a six-month deadline to create a portfolio before college applications were due. Ms. Rebecca and Mr. Corey wasted no time starting me on a still life drawing that was completely different from the ones I did before. They taught me how to advance a still life drawing past sole observational study by using the rules of design to produce an illustration that had a story within it. As I continued to take classes at RBAA, they exposed me to a variety of mediums, pushed me to embrace using color in my artwork, and developed my appreciation for art.
However, the most invaluable lesson I learned here was to take risks and to have confidence in my decisions. I was always careful with my drawings, making sure they looked clean and polished, but Ms. Rebecca forced me out of my comfort zone. After carefully rendering a portrait in graphite, she suggested I tear the edges of my paper and spray dye all over the drawing. I was obviously apprehensive to the idea in fear that this bold move could ruin my work rather than improve it. Still, I took the plunge, and as a result, my portrait had more visual impact than it did before. It was no longer just a pretty picture but one with energy and attitude, a true reflection of the subject’s personality.
By the end of six months, my portfolio was finished and I grew much more as an artist than I could have expected. There are no other art instructors that have educated me as dedicatedly as Ms. Rebecca and Mr. Corey have, nor would I have found mentors that put as much faith in me as they did. My art journey has only begun, and RBAA’s guidance has helped me build a varied but solid foundation to prepare me for my incoming years at Pratt Institute.”
- Katie Kwak, Pratt Institute
“They are the hardest working art teachers with just as amazing patience and care for their student’s well being and skill development. I highly recommend you to enroll your children to this humble school if you’re looking for an outlet for creative extracurricular activities, or even investing in their future in the arts.”
- Alex Luu, University of Southern California
“I have been taking classes with Rebecca and Corey for around ten years now and ever since the first day, I have learned something new each time. Whether it be regarding art or even life lessons, they have always taught me how to better my future.
This coming fall, with the help of Corey and Rebecca, I will be attending Parsons School of Design in New York City. They have continually pushed me to challenge myself and to break past my comfort zones, which I believe was a large part in helping me get to where I am. They have also strengthened my knowledge in the basic rules of art which helps me confidently create future pieces that have good structural foundations and compositions.
I started building my portfolio pretty early on because I knew I wanted to have a future in the arts. Regardless of my head start, Corey always pushed me to do more. Although it wasn’t the most enjoyable times, in the long run, he made the whole process much less stressful and hectic. Rebecca always encouraged me to try new materials which made my portfolio much more captivating and engaging. With the combination of both their skills, technically and creatively, they have helped me develop my passion and knowledge for the arts.”
- Jade Li, ArtCenter College of Design
“Learning from Rebecca and Corey for 12+ years has equipped me with not only a solid understanding of technical skill, but also an imaginative creative vision. They have taught me to approach art with an open mind and through a multi-faceted perspective. In class, the lectures on art history and concepts allowed me to be informed and well-rounded. When working on a project, whether it’d be an abstract painting or a multimedia collage, Rebecca and Corey pushed me to challenge myself in all aspects. As a result, their teachings have led me to think about art in unconventional ways. Whenever I arrive to art class, I know that I will be immersed in an environment that fosters creativity.
Rebecca and Corey have allowed me to grow in every step of my artistic journey, from my AP art portfolio to my college portfolio. Their experience guided me in strategically showcasing my strengths, while never forgetting to help me improve upon my weaknesses. More importantly, they have been instrumental in my development as an artist. Learning from them changed the way I perceive things by equipping me with the ability to see the world through an artist’s eyes.”
- Cynthia Yang , University of Pennsylvania
“For anyone who needs a portfolio to apply for an art and design school, I highly recommend this academy for portfolio building. My experience learning from Ms. Rebecca and Corey started when I was preparing my portfolio for Art Center College of Design and Otis College of Design. They had the whole thing planned out for me, including what kind of material of work I should have, to the schedule and time range I had for each piece I needed to make, to meet the requirements and the deadline.”
- Christy Arimoto, ArtCenter College of Design
“I’ve been a student of Corey and Rebecca since I was very young, so I’m SO excited to see their art academy bloom and blossom. They’ve always been very patient and supportive of me in all of my art endeavors, teaching me different techniques and methods and guiding me through thought processes that challenged me not only to think creatively in the art realm, but also to bring these lessons to the real world and practice them in everyday situations. They fostered in me a passion and love for art and design, and I can’t thank them enough for everything they’ve taught me and helped me become.
Both Corey and Rebecca are unbelievably skilled and talented artists and I’ve been so fortunate to have gotten to know them and received their mentorship throughout these years as their student. I’ve continued to keep in touch with them since going to college, and am still blessed with their unconditional support and encouragement. They’re truly inspiring and motivating, and have an incredible vision for art and education that never ceases to amaze me.
So whether you simply have a budding interest in the arts or have an innate talent that you’re just waiting to discover, this is definitely the place to be. Corey and Rebecca have taught me to love what I do and do what I love, and have continued to surprise and inspire me in ways I have never dreamed of. I whole-heartedly promise that you’ll enjoy every second of working with these two amazing instructors because they will encourage you, challenge you, and push you to develop your skills, realize your potential, and become the best that you can be.”
- Winnie Quan, University of Southern California
“I began my art education at Right Brain Academy of Art in spring 2016. Having never received any prior formal training, I lacked even the most fundamental skills that I needed in order to be the artist I aspired to. Mr. Corey and Ms. Rebecca were extremely patient in teaching me. My lessons began with a myriad of observational studies. Once my observation skills sharpened, they challenged me further—pushing me to learn everything from “Design Principles” to “How to Correctly Hold a Pencil for Drawing”. Their methods of teaching open my eyes, as I have always believed that Art was subjective. My initial beliefs that art lacked rules and structure were dramatically overturned. As a result, my fascination with (and my passion for) the infinite possibilities of art and design increased tenfold.
Not only did they sharpen my drawing skills in the two years I’ve spent with them, but they also trained me to think more critically. Whenever I proposed an idea, they would ask me, “Why? What is the reason behind this decision? Why do you think this is the best approach?” If my answers to these questions didn’t reflect the depth of thought they expected of me, they would encourage me to dig deeper and gave valuable feedback on how to improve. They encouraged me to think more deeply about my actions and decisions in order to make meaningful art so that I could become a better and more responsible designer.
Though I have always thought of myself as a timid individual, Rebecca and Corey have given me the tools to allow me to express my thoughts loudly and confidently through art. The education I’ve gained here at Right Brain Academy of Art has helped me to mature into a stronger designer, and even more so, a stronger individual who now has the courage to explore the world and boundless potential to match.”
- Evan Chang, Pratt Institute and California Polytechnic State University
“I first started taking lessons from Rebecca and Corey about ten years ago. They have since been an integral part of my growing up and getting to where I am today.
When I first started thinking about applying to colleges, they were both so supportive yet constructive about my choices
and the arrangement of my portfolio through the whole process. Each project I did previously led up to this portfolio and they knew exactly how to play to my strengths and let originality shine through because they pay such close attention to each student. They are willing to spend as much time with you to try and achieve your goal.
At some other art schools I have attended, all students are forced to replicate the same image. Rebecca and Corey's open-mindedness to everyones thoughts allows us to think outside the box while still learning the technical aspects of art. This allowed me to find my own style or personality through art. Rebecca has helped me develop a very creative sense of thinking through many unorthodox projects from greeting card design to marble paintings. Corey has helped me improve and think more technically, but these qualities combined has helped me become a stronger thinker and artist. Both of them are extremely passionate and very approachable.
The talent and knowledge that Rebecca and Corey have will help students find a true sense of individuality through the thought process of creating art for kids of all ages.“
- Angela Sun, Boston University
“I started art lessons with Mrs. Rebecca and Mr. Corey hoping to just improve my drawing abilities but I left each lesson with immensely more. Mrs. Rebecca and Mr. Corey are two teachers that are as invested in their students’ artistic development just as much as they are invested in their students’ personal growth. With each individualized project I took on in their class, I was challenged to think of ways that would best capture the stories I wanted to share on canvas. This helped me not only train my eyes to understand the difference good composition and great composition in an artistic sense, but also emboldened me to develop my own ideas about the world on a more personalized level.
As I’m going into my third year of college and am aspiring towards a career in product design, I thank Mrs. Rebecca and Mr. Corey for the many lessons they’ve taught me. From putting together a successful presentation to being tasked to think critically about an issue, I know that I have been well prepared with an invaluable skill-set I’ve developed over the years at Right Brain Academy of Art.”
- Christine Gu, University of Michigan
“If you like fine art, and want to improve your artistic sense and drawing level, or are preparing to build your own portfolio, please firmly choose Right Brain Art Academy. Corey Peters and Rebecca Chen will be your best mentors on the journey of making art. I feel that being able to meet these two teachers in my life is the luckiest thing happened to me. In these two years of study, I have improved a lot not only in terms of painting skills but also the consideration of my life and the future.
In their continuous careful teaching, enlightenment and encouragement, I changed my perspective of seeing things, learned to introspect and think. In the past, I never considered the big picture, always obsessed with the performance of the details of the picture. Under their unique and effective training, I have absorbed a lot of professional design principles and elements of knowledge. And in each course, I learned a lot of outstanding domestic and foreign masters' works. They have given me great help in the process of building my entrance portfolio. Give me the opportunity received a scholarship of US$23,000 from Otis College of Art and Design.”
- Yiyuan Zhou, ArtCenter College of Design
“To say that Rebecca and Corey have changed my life forever, would be an understatement. Through the 10+ years of art education by Rebecca and Corey, they have prepared me for my first year at Parsons School of Design.
They have both provided me with fundamental art education and prepared me for college with a full array of experience with working in different media. I was constantly challenged with new techniques and materials to express my creativity through art. But not only that, they have constantly implemented life skills into my brain to help me be a functioning young adult. I more than thankful for all of the lessons, in both art and life that has been passed to me.”
- Paula Wong, Parsons School of Design
“Both Rebecca and Corey are phenomenal instructors. As a working professional in the field of design, who has had the opportunity to attend both a well-established art college and art high school, I feel confident in expressing that both are extremely capable, knowledgeable and caring individuals.
Having been a student of Corey and Rebecca's for near decades, it is clear to me that they have worked continuously and tirelessly to refine their craft in order to provide the best possible art and design education for their students. I've also been in the unique position of having taught at their school for a number of years and have had first-hand experience behind the scenes in helping to develop what I perceive to be a dynamic and expansive curriculum, that is both appropriate and challenging at each level.
In regards to students serious about pursuing an art degree and profession, they are thoughtful and careful to provide relevant and current information that is necessary to keep pace with the ever changing field of art and design. Both are incredibly generous with their time and information and care deeply about their student's progress and overall well-being. I've been very fortunate to have had the opportunity to learn and teach with them, and highly recommend their tutelage and art program for all levels and ages.”
- Larene Woo, LACHSA, Rhode Island School of Design
“I’d like to think I grew up into art. From a young age, I’ve like to color and draw, and I believe that my love for creating the imaginable only grew the first time I met Mrs. Rebecca. I might have been 7 years old at the time, young and impressionable, and like a sponge, I desperately soaked up what she could teach me.
Every project I had I always had fun with, and even if she was the one assigning each project I did, I always had the freedom to do the imagining myself. She helped me cultivate my imagination and transfer ideas to the paper in front of me. I met Corey a few years later. And where Mrs. Rebecca steadily built up my creativity, Corey built my skills. I don’t think I noticed it at the time, but slowly, my drawings changed from the works of a child into the works of a fledgling artist.
Every piece of art I brought home showed more and more life, and started to be more and more real. The chunky lines of crayons and markers softened into more delicate marks as I sanded down the rough edges of my skill set. I began to pick up the abilities I would need to build a portfolio, and every class I had with them I seemed to love art more and more, until I decided I couldn’t do without it and began to apply to different art schools, resolute in my goal to make art surround my life.
All the while, they were there to guide me, even from the table in my own house, every line I drew and piece I colored held the skills of a dozen years under the tutelage of two amazing teachers. I don’t think I could have ever gotten to where I am today, or even be who I am today without them.”
- Annika Wang, Rhode Island School of Design
“Going to Right Brain Academy of Art is the best decision in my life!
Four years ago, I was a wandering bird, unsure about my future goal. I thought art was something I was capable of doing. However, as soon as starting my "actual" art journey at Right Brain Academy of Art, Ms. Rebecca and Mr. Corey changed my perception, attitudes, and art standards. They are the best art teachers I have met who give me honest feedback and criticisms. They never easily give compliments on artworks because they always believe my work can be better. They pushed me to my highest limit and encouraged me to get out of my comfort zone.
Their assistance and guidance let me acknowledge that art has unlimited possibilities. I have built my creative bank by utilizing materials such as stencils, watercolor crystals, marbling, die-cutting, and, my favorite, jewelry and stones. You cannot imagine how those techniques make your art look more elegant and exciting. Adding to those techniques, in RBAA, there are lots of art books for reference and inspiration. I am sure you will be looking forward to exploring new treasures every time you go to class as I did.
Additionally, I appreciate learning art and many precious life lessons in RBAA. These completely change my attitude and daily hobby. I especially remember both teachers telling me how valuable time is and how being disciplined is essential in life.
I am so thankful Ms. Rebecca and Mr. Corey accompanied me in the college application process. They are always very supportive and give me honest suggestions on deciding which schools to apply to, what to prepare, time management, and most importantly, the portfolio. In the end, I was really surprised I got into all my applied schools, including RISD, ArtCenter, USC, Pratt, SVA, FIT, and CCA.
After all these long stories, I still can't express enough how I love RBAA! I love to share my experience with all my relatives, and as a result, they all love going to RBAA. Before going to class, my sister and I always said, "we are going to our favorite class, the happiest class!" We constantly think going to RBAA is the happiest thing and a lifesaver within an exhausting week!
We both are looking forward to learning new knowledge, communicating, and doing art with Ms. Rebecca and Mr. Corey! Without them, I wouldn't be the way I am today!”
- Kathryn Chen, Rhode Island School of Design
“Attending my first art lesson 8 years ago with Ms. Rebecca and Mr. Corey immediately set my standards high on what it really meant to be an art teacher. Instead of being assigned “busy work” and being praised despite my mistakes, these two instructors were not afraid to point out my flaws and push me to my limits. Over the years, under their guidance, I have viewed my artwork in a different light and set a much higher standard for myself.
If you are considering sending your child to Right Brain Academy of Art, my only question for you is why hesitate? These instructors are honest, humble, and inspiring. They are unafraid to voice their constructive criticism when it comes to your child’s artwork but instead of pushing them down, they push them up to be the best they can be. Instead of throwing random projects at their students and calling it a day, they encourage and push them to incorporate a story to make it more meaningful for both the artist and the viewer. These two amazing instructors know what they are doing as they have advised and taught dozens of students who have won numerous art competitions and made it into prestigious art colleges.
Without their guidance, I would not have made it this far into my art career. I am forever grateful for their willingness to sacrifice what they have for me to attend CalArts, my dream college. Whether you want to do art as an extracurricular activity or build an art portfolio for college, Right Brain Academy of Art will get you wherever you need to go! :) “
- Kora Chiu, CalArts
“As a software engineer, I never thought art could help my career.
This changed when I took a class at Right Brain Academy of Art.
Learning art opens up your worldview.
It taught me that creating software isn't just about convenience, but also about how people feel.
It showed me that there's room for poetry in the narrow space where things aren't measured.
It made me realize that dreams shouldn't be limited by what is possible, but by what we can imagine.
It's more important than ever that we design with people's emotions in mind. It's the secret to brightening the world one line of code at a time.”
- Ambrose “AJ” Chan, Founder of Popcorn Robot
“I highly recommend Right Brain Academy of Art to anyone seeking to develop their artistic skills while also gaining valuable guidance for their paths to college. Under the guidance of Mrs. Rebecca and Mr. Corey, this program goes above in providing extremely good art education. Mrs. Rebecca and Mr. Corey possess the ability to teach various artistic techniques and skills. Taught by Mrs. Rebecca and Mr. Corey for more than 6 years, I guaranteed that their passion for art can be seen through every class. They are able to create an engaging and supportive learning environment for their students and help students to explore their unique artistic styles. They take the time to get to know each student individually, understanding their aspirations, interests, and strengths. Therefore, I really recommend Right Brain Academy of Art, as it truly stands out as an exceptional choice for anyone looking to start an artistic journey.”
- Cathy Chen, Rhode Island School of Design