Meet Our Teachers

Neurologic Music Therapist
Ms. Lety Castillo
Lety began piano lessons at four and later discovered the true impact of music through her work in Music Therapy. She’s seen music create connection, comfort, and equal opportunities. Now, through her collaboration with RAYA Art and Education, Lety is dedicated to fostering inclusive spaces where others can thrive through the power of music.

Teacher
Mr. Li
Mr. Li is the Founder and Chairman of Nine Beats Educational Technology Group and a leading figure in percussion education in China. He serves as a member of the Percussion Expert Committee of the Ministry of Culture and Tourism, a council member of the Chinese Percussion Association, and an executive member of the Shanghai Percussion Association. He also holds teaching roles as a professor at Qingdao Percussion Academy, a visiting professor at Tianjin Arts Vocational College, and a percussion teacher at Tianjin Conservatory of Music, while heading the Popular Percussion Discipline and serving as Deputy Director of the Percussion Committee for the Tianjin Musicians Association.

Music Therapist
Ms. Carrie Parret
Carrie is a music therapist at OC Music Services who collaborates with RAYA. She developed her passion for music and connecting with others at a young age when she saw firsthand the power music has to improve the lives of others. Carrie is thrilled to continue to share her perspective on music and support the growth and development of RAYA Art and Education to provide everyone with a fun and accessible environment!

Contemporary Artist
Yang Feng
Mr. Feng is the President of the West Coast Artists Association, Senior Cultural and Artistic Advisor for the Chinese Traditional Culture Promotion Association, and Deputy Secretary General of the Zhu Naizheng Oil Painting Research Association. He also serves as an Asia Pacific International Music and Art Therapist.

Teacher
Ms. Zoe Zhang
Ms. Zhang graduated from the Chinese Academy of Fine Arts (formerly Zhejiang Academy of Fine Arts) and earned a master’s degree from the University of Sheffield in the UK. With over 10 years of teaching experience, she specializes in art and aesthetic education for students aged 3 through high school. She guides many to top art and design programs in the UK, the US, and Australia.

Viola Teacher
Ms. Lan
Ms. Lan, a rising violist and Artistic Diploma candidate at the Colburn School, is the Director of Jhao-Yin Academy—China’s largest student-run classical music nonprofit. Under her leadership, Jhao-Yin partners with top global conservatory students to promote music education, cultural exchange, and social impact. As RAYA Art’s official philanthropic partner, the academy leads initiatives like the “Philanthropic Music Map,” bringing live concerts to children with visual and hearing impairments across China.

Teacher
Ms. Zhong
Ms. Zhong has studied under renowned violinists including Wei Xue, Professor Chaitlin of the Eastman School of Music, and Qiezhong Lv, principal of the Macau Symphony Orchestra. While in the U.S., she won first place in Kent State University's instrumental competition and has performed as a solo violinist on albums for top Chinese singers like Liyuan Peng, Zuying Song, and Weiwen Yan. With 25 years of experience in violin performance and teaching, she works with students of all ages and is highly respected by those she teaches.

Teacher
Ms. Lily Lee
With over 20 years of experience in painting and design, she specializes in guiding children with special needs in art. She has spent the past 6 years teaching art in the U.S., where her students have won top honors in international competitions, such as Qinglu’s multiple gold awards and Brian’s first place in the PTA art contest. She currently serves as CEO of the US Highlight International Art Center Foundation.

Teacher
Ms. Jing Wang
Ms. Wang is the Director of the Dance Mathematics Education Major at the China Rescue Education Association and Director of the Dalian Dancers Association. A multiple gold medalist in military cultural performances, she is also an RYT200 certified yoga instructor with the National Yoga Alliance. She specializes in classical dance, children’s choreography, rescue training, and choreography for television dance programs.

Inheritor of China's Intangible Cultural Heritage (Ming Dynasty)
Junliang Su
Mr. Su is a multifaceted artist dedicated to preserving and showcasing traditional Chinese folk arts. He has deeply studied Sichuan opera, specializing in the fusion of traditional and modern face-changing techniques. As a skilled long-mouth pot tea performer, he highlights the elegance and innovation of Chinese tea culture. Additionally, as a candy blower, he brings joy to audiences, especially children, by combining classic craftsmanship with modern cartoon character designs.

Teacher
Ms. Vivian Li
Ms. Vivian is a second-year master’s student in Speech Pathology with a Bilingual Extension in English and Chinese at Columbia University. With years of experience as an ABA therapist and clinical training at institutions like Weill Cornell and CHOC, she has worked with individuals across the lifespan, including neurodiverse populations. A lifelong musician, Vivian integrates her passion for music and art into her therapeutic approach, using them to support self-expression, confidence, and cognitive development.

Teacher
Ms. QQ
Ms. QQ holds a Master’s degree in Education and brings over 15 years of experience in music education. She has led award-winning children’s and university choirs as a professional conductor, blending Western and Chinese vocal techniques in her teaching. Specializing in children’s pop and musical theatre, she coaches students in singing in English, Chinese, Korean, and Italian.

Teacher
Ms. YOYO
Ms. Yoyo is a certified piano teacher with 20 years of teaching experience. Accredited by the European Piano Association, the Emperor Piano Examination, and the China Music Association as a piano exam judge, she has successfully guided nearly 300 students through the 10th-grade piano exam.

Teacher
Ms. Bourdages
Ms. Bourdages is a dedicated educator and artist with over 20 years of experience teaching children from birth to age 14. Holding a BFA from Cal State Long Beach and pursuing a teaching credential, she creates inclusive, creative classrooms that blend early childhood education with the visual arts. Her work spans preschools to K–12 schools, where she fosters social-emotional learning and cultural exploration through interdisciplinary art. Aligned with Raya Art & Education’s mission, she brings a passion for joyful, transformative learning.

Teacher
Dr. Anqi (Angel) Tang
Dr. Anqi (Angel) Tang is an internationally respected piano educator and music pedagogue with a Doctorate in Music Arts from Rutgers University. Specializing in early childhood and youth music education, she blends classical training with Kodály, Orff, and Dalcroze methods to foster developmentally appropriate, engaging learning experiences. As CEO of Dr. T Children’s Development School and Vice President of WPTA China, she has over a decade of teaching experience across the U.S., China, and Southeast Asia. A published composer and researcher, Dr. Tang is known for her holistic approach, inspiring teaching, and dedication to nurturing young musicians worldwide.

Teacher
Jueduo Qi
Jueduo Qi, founder of Cat Society Art Classes, is a professional artist and educator who immigrated to the U.S. in 2024 under the Extraordinary Ability in the Arts category. Now based in Irvine, she has been teaching children since 2016, using a playful, personalized approach to help each student discover their artistic voice. Her curriculum includes painting, storytelling, pop-up books, origami, sculpture, collage, theater design, and digital art. A practicing artist since 2006, Jueduo has exhibited in the U.S., Europe, and China. Her conceptual photography series “Vegetable Museum” received international recognition from media such as BBC and Reuters. She has also collaborated with brands like Microsoft, Haier, and Onehome Art Hotel, and curated the Cat Society Art Museum’s debut exhibition, “Little Biscuit, Little Can, Little Dried Fish — Nothing at All,” in 2019.

Teacher
Allen Zhang
Allen Zhang, founder of Allen’s Drum Group and CEO of Rhythm Dudu Intelligent Music Education Company, is a highly accomplished percussionist and educator with over 25 years of teaching experience. A graduate of the China Conservatory of Music, Allen was born into a musical family and studied under the renowned “Asian Drum King.” He is a member of the Percussion Association of the Chinese Musicians Association, Director of the China Social Arts Association, and an examiner for the Shanghai Percussion Association. With 15 years of experience in curriculum development and over a decade in music education leadership, Allen brings passion, expertise, and innovation to every lesson. He is also the California regional agent for ROCKSCHOOL and drummer for the Funky Syndrome Band.

Teacher
Ms. Alisa
Ms. Alisa has a lifelong background in dance, training in ballet, jazz, musical theatre, tap, and contemporary, and later dancing on the University of Denver’s team. After college, she taught English in Madrid and worked as a behavioral technician before earning her master’s degree in dance/movement therapy from Lesley University. She has supported clients in high schools, assisted living, long-term mental health care, and a county mental health agency. She now works at a non-public school, where she leads weekly social-skills groups for students with disabilities and integrates dance, movement, and exercise into her sessions. Outside of work, Alisa enjoys Broadway jazz classes, going to the gym, cooking with her husband, and spending time in nature. She’s excited to bring her dance and therapy experience to the social skills dance group at RAYA Art and Education Center.

Teacher
Mr. Eddie
Eddie grew up in Southern California and began his musical journey in the Orange County public school system. He earned his Bachelor of Music from the Colburn Conservatory, then completed his Master of Music and Professional Studies Diploma at the San Francisco Conservatory of Music. As an educator, he’s known for helping students discover their own musical voices and build confidence in their creative expression. He draws inspiration from classical music, jazz, and global musical traditions, and outside of music he’s a certified yoga instructor with 1,000 hours of training who enjoys exploring new cuisines, spending time in nature, and creating visual art.

Teacher
Mr. Abel
Mr. Abel has worked in special education since 2003 and brings a wide range of experience supporting students who face academic challenges. He holds teaching credentials in both California and Massachusetts, a Master’s in Education, and Administration Credentials. Known for his patience and adaptable teaching style, Mr. Abel uses a variety of strategies to help each student understand and master the content they need to succeed.

Teacher
Mr. Tom
Since opening in 2019, Code Ninjas Garden Grove has become a trusted destination for families seeking fun and meaningful STEM education. Kids learn to code by creating video games, apps, and interactive projects, turning screen time into skill-building time as they move through our martial arts–style belt system while mastering JavaScript, C#, and Scratch. We’re proud of our supportive, creative environment and our partnership with the Regional Center of Orange County (RCOC), which helps ensure our programs are inclusive and accessible to diverse learners. More than just coding, we teach critical thinking, problem-solving, and resilience—skills that prepare kids for success in school, careers, and life. For families, Code Ninjas Garden Grove is a place where children explore STEM, grow with confidence, and discover what they’re capable of.

Teacher
Mr. Avalos
A professional musician with an active career in music education, composition, flamenco guitar performance, musicology, and the arts, he brings a rich and versatile background to his teaching at RAYA. He has performed widely, appearing as an accompanist for Spanish pop singer Alex Ubago on LATV and Univision, performing live on radio in Ensenada, and giving solo and collaborative flamenco performances across Los Angeles in venues ranging from cafes to colleges and universities, including the Luckman, Phillips Hall, the Grand Central Arts Center, the Yost, and Barnsdall theaters. As the author of An Anthology of Nineteenth-Century Mexican Guitar Music and other scholarly works, he combines deep musical knowledge with a passion for creative expression. At RAYA, he draws on this broad experience to inspire students, support their artistic growth, and help them explore music with confidence and curiosity.

Educational Consultant
Ms. Coco Liu M.A., M.Ed.
Ms. Liu is a leading autism behavior consultant with decades of experience designing and supervising behavioral programs for children and adolescents with ASD and developmental disabilities. As Program Administrator for Intensive Behavior Intervention since 2005, she oversees IEP development and leads staff training in effective strategies. With a Master’s in Applied Behavior Analysis and certifications from UCLA and Stanford, she specializes in social skills training and alternative communication. Her evidence-based, compassionate approach has transformed autism support services both nationally and internationally.
