Lia Zalamea Howe was born in Manila, Philippines. She earned her BA in Studio Art at Smith College, where she graduated Magna Cum Laude Phi Beta Kappa in 1979. After graduation, she returned to the Philippines to work as Merchandise Manager for Christian Dior. She left Manila for good two years later to earn her Associate Degree in Fashion Design from the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City where she won the Pinky & Diane Award for best Sportswear Designer. She then worked as a designer for Tahari before setting up her own boutique in New York, Tyke-oons, importing and selling European childrens’ wear. In 1989, her family moved back to Asia - first Tokyo, then Hong Kong, then back to Tokyo in 1998. Lia and her two sons, Brody and Raffy, took the 5-day Right Brain Drawing course in the summer of 2003 and have never looked back! Teaming up with Kristin and Mayumi to launch the new RBR has fulfilled her long time dream of having a space where people of all backgrounds can realize that creativity is the truly the spice of life! Under Kristin's leadership, Lia works very closely with RBR's teachers to develop more of the quality Right Brain programs that make the center unique. She has also started a Visual Journal Book Club at RBR where pictures are truly worth a thousand words!