University Art Portfolio Mentor | UAL & International Admissions | Manga Drawing Specialist | 15+ Years Experience 

I have had the privilege of knowing Sonoko for 25 years, first working together in my business and continuing to collaborate across many creative and professional projects since then. Over that time, she has been an incredible asset, and it has always been a genuine pleasure to work alongside her.

We co-created a children’s television show together, which gives me a deep appreciation of her creativity, dedication and ability to bring ideas to life with clarity and heart. Beyond our creative collaboration, I have also witnessed her work first-hand as both a teacher and a practitioner at my retreat. She is exceptionally skilled at holding space, guiding students with calm authority and compassion, and creating an environment where people feel safe, supported and empowered.

Sonoko’s personality is one of her greatest strengths. She brings a natural positivity to everything she does, along with patience, warmth and genuine care for her students. Her ability to integrate her extensive wellbeing knowledge into her teaching is remarkable. She doesn’t simply share information; she embodies it, making her work both authentic and impactful.

Having observed her teaching and professional practice over many years, I can confidently say she is one of the most talented individuals I know. I would wholeheartedly recommend her for any teaching or facilitation role. She is an exceptional educator, practitioner and human being.
Anna Scaife - Founder of www.annalouoflondon.com and www.annalouwellness.com

It's my absolute pleasure to recommend Sonoko; she's an exceptional educator. I was introduced to Sonoko through a mutual friend. She exuded warmth and confidence, and I knew she would be able to connect with both my children, who are very different, especially in their learning styles. She manages to have both a calm and vibrant presence, which puts everyone at ease, parents and students alike.

I've had the good fortune of working alongside Sonoko, and I was able to see her demonstrate her creative abilities firsthand. She had to design a character and tailor it to the needs of the client, which showed me how adaptable and remarkable her skill set is. She really listens, communicates clearly, and is consistently patient and empathetic.

I wholeheartedly recommend Sonoko as a tutor. She will empower, encourage, and support all students through any challenges and allow them to reach their full potential, to thrive personally, and develop confidence and trust in their own abilities.

I had the pleasure of meeting Sonoko in 2015 while flat hunting in London. Through our friendship, I discovered that she is a talented artist and art teacher by profession. In 2022, I asked Sonoko to teach my daughter a beginner’s course in anime drawing, and it was a wonderful experience.

Sonoko prepared each class in advance and was incredibly patient while teaching valuable artistic skills that my daughter could build on. The lessons were not only easy to understand but also a lot of fun. My daughter came away from each session feeling confident and inspired, and I could clearly see her practising what she had learned.

In fact, the experience was so positive that my daughter went on to choose art as one of her GCSE subjects.

I highly recommend Sonoko to anyone looking to learn art in an encouraging, engaging, and supportive environment.

I have known Sonoko for over 10 years. She is a talented local artist and an experienced art teacher who has been actively involved in school art projects within the community.

When my daughter was preparing her portfolio for sixth form, Sonoko was the natural choice. As a qualified art teacher with thorough knowledge of the GCSE and A-level syllabus, she provided clear, structured guidance and practical steps on what needed to be done. Her advice was precise and tailored, giving my daughter exactly the direction she required.

Sonoko is both friendly and highly professional. I would recommend her without hesitation.

I’d strongly recommend Sonoko. She has a deep understanding of the academic process (she was a straight-A student herself), along with the openness and sensitivity to bring out the creativity in every pupil. She’s also an incredible artist in her own right, from whom students can learn. All of her previous classes, from teaching kids to draw manga portraits to face painting and more, have consistently sold out, and the children always seem to have the best time!

Personally, she’s one of the kindest people I know with incredible values. She connects easily with people from all walks of life, builds trust quickly, and people naturally open up to her. I’ve watched her help others navigate challenging situations with warmth and integrity. And she doesn’t project herself onto others or push her own ideals, which allows her to meet pupils where they are and help them grow in their own way. Anyone would be lucky to have Sonoko in their lives.

Sonoko helped me prepare my portfolio for entry to a fine arts degree. She has years of experience helping students from all over the world make successful applications to the most prestigious art university courses in the UK and US. She is a fully qualified teacher and was really good at helping me develop the skills I needed to get into uni.