Art and Dance Instructors

Megumi Butler is a fashion designer, artist, gospel singer, and bilingual educator. Her journey began in elementary school when a drawing she created, symbolizing friendship between Japan and China, was selected by the Japanese government and presented to the Chinese government. Her father's work took her to Singapore, where she was immersed in a new culture. Megumi pursued studies in fashion, design, Western art history, textiles, and merchandising at Bunka Fashion College in Tokyo.

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Her career led her to work as a brand designer for international companies in Shanghai and Korea, where she successfully launched new brands. By 2021, she contributed to establishing the No. 1 fashion brand company in China. Her work took her to fashion hubs across Japan, Korea, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Paris, Milan, New York, and Los Angeles, where she collaborated on local and high-end designer brands. Megumi became the first prominent Japanese casual brand designer to achieve record sales and participate in the Tokyo Girls Collection.

Later, she moved to Hong Kong to further her studies in branding and launched her own brand, specializing in accessories, jewelry, and textiles. With a focus on merchandising, she consistently created industry hits. Megumi met her husband through music, perfume formulation, design, and production management. After their international marriage, she pursued web design and became proficient in Adobe.

 

Through God’s mercy and grace, Megumi was blessed with a child after the age of 40, a miracle she had almost given up on, which brought a renewed perspective to her life.

Her experience extends to early childhood education in Maryland and teaching Japanese language and culture. Megumi believes we are surrounded by future leaders who will grow in character, and she is eager to support their intellectual development through art, design, and foundational learning. She aims to help them shape their creations and create a future filled with joy and challenges.

Growing up, Ela's father was a diplomat, which meant living overseas and traveling the world. Infected with the travel bug from an early age, she has enjoyed her adventures, even on her own, without her parents. The summer of her 14th birthday, Ela traveled around Europe with her jet-setter grandmother. The summer before her senior year of high school, she traveled around the U.S.S.R. with the "People to People Friendship Caravan." Her journeys continued in college while she did a study abroad at the University of Stirling, in Scotland. At the age of 24, Ela joined the Peace Corps and headed to Hel, Poland. After her two years of service, she backpacked around Europe for the summer before moving to sunny Florida for graduate school.

As a child, Ela had a passion for art. During her world travels, she was exposed to many types of cultures and art from around the world. Her grandmother would take her to art museums, buy her plenty of art supplies, and encourage her creativity. In her senior year of high school, Ela took several art classes at La Plata High School and even took a few at the College of Southern Maryland. She hopes to soon work on her certification as an Art Therapist. To her, Art IS therapy.

However, Ela's other passion was for science, which she chose to major in for college and graduate school. It wasn't until years later that she came back to art. Once she became a mom and started homeschooling, it was time to break out the paper, paints, and creativity. During Covid, Ela really had the time to try new techniques and refresh her artistic skills. Next thing she knew, she was teaching homeschool art classes in King George, Virginia. Life has come around full circle; Ela is back in her hometown of La Plata, MD, and has the exciting opportunity to teach homeschool art classes there.

HwanHee Bae was born and raised in Seoul, South Korea. In the bustling capital she experienced the everyday art of the confluence of ancient traditions and modern development. From the craftmanship of Korean hanok to towering glass skyscrapers like building 63, from pansori and madangnori to opera and jazz, from beautiful silk hanbok to worldly haute couture; all were within walking distance of her front door. Here she studied fine arts from elementary school to college. She graduated Chung-Ang University in Seoul with a bachelors in Japanese literature and language.

 

Her mother sent her to an after school art class that captured her heart. Since that class, art has been an aspect of every part of her life. She draws inspiration, not just from the masters in the museums and galleries of the word, but also from the innocence of children's work created with joy and exploration. Her dream is to provide opportunities for students' artistic growth through experimentation and self-expression.

Raba Taylor is a professional artist, art instructor, and new resident in Southern Maryland. Having proficiency in a variety of art mediums, her personal artwork is inspired by her faith, family, and cultural background. She specializes in pencil portraiture and has completed artwork for dozens of clients.

 

By the time she graduated high school, Raba’s work had won several art contests and had been displayed at the Virginia Museum of Contemporary Art. Currently, she is an adjunct art instructor at the College of Southern Maryland. She previously taught children’s art at a childcare center and helped to organize community outreach and youth activities with her former church.

 

Her passion for creativity and for serving the community has brought her to NCAC. She endeavors to spread her excitement for art to her students as they develop their skills and discover their own artistic voices.