The Thunder Bolt

Mr. Michael Green, Concordia Hanoi’s High School art teacher, has redefined what a high school art program can be by turning his vision into a reality. Through his innovative approach, Mike Green has turned Concordia Hanoi’s art program into a place where students are encouraged to push boundaries and pursue their artistic ambitions. By insisting on both rigor and creativity, he has prepared his students not only to succeed in the art world, but to thrive as thoughtful and collaborative individuals. The ongoing legacy of his tenure is visible in the confidence and ambition of the students, a testament to the enduring value of vision, community, and art education.

The program’s current success was not achieved overnight. Green recalls the early skepticism from students and parents. This brought up questions about his background, his vision, and his ability to lead. Over time, as students “bought in” to his approach, the program gained momentum. He encouraged students to diversify their portfolios, venture outside the studio, and take creative risks. Green acknowledges that pursuing art is daunting, not just for students but for their families as well. It requires risk, commitment, and the courage to face uncertainty about the future.

Mike Green’s reflection begins with a sense of awe and gratitude for the senior group that graduated from Concordia in 2024. Of the eight AP Art students in this cohort, seven received a 5-the highest possible score-on the AP Art exam. He describes this group as a “perfect art storm,” a rare convergence of talent, vision, and intellectual curiosity. These students didn’t just excel in creating art; they also brought insight, knowledge, and a genuine passion for engaging with art’s deeper meanings. Green recalls critiques led by students Hyo Lynn, Sungyeon, and Lan that felt more like university seminars than high school classes. He credits their “multidisciplinary knowledge”-their ability to draw from philosophy, music, literature, and contemporary art-for elevating the program’s standards. This breadth of perspective, he believes, is what sets the Concordia art program apart and prepares students for success beyond high school.

This culture of inquiry and critique didn’t arise by accident. Green highlights the organic way mentorship developed within the program: younger students like Kara looked up to their senior peers, seeking feedback and inspiration. He describes this as a “teachable moment” and “magic”—a rare dynamic where leadership and learning flow naturally from one cohort to the next. The seniors’ willingness to share knowledge and the juniors’ eagerness to learn created a self-sustaining ecosystem of growth, critique, and artistic risk-taking. As the torch was passed, students began reaching out for guidance, ensuring that the spirit of collaboration would continue.

Green is candid about the emotional realities of pursuing art. He reminds students that not every day in the studio will be magical. There will be tears, frustration, and moments when nothing seems to work. What matters is the willingness to persevere, to get back on course after setbacks, and to maintain humility and perspective. He sees his role as instilling not just artistic skills, but also grit, work ethic, and the confidence to thrive in any setting.

The addition of colleagues like Ms. Tallie has brought a new professionalism to the program, especially in marketing and presentation. Green notes that recent exhibitions now resemble high-caliber university shows, with thoughtful promotional materials and a level of polish that signals to parents and the broader community that Concordia’s art program is serious and competitive. This attention to detail, he believes, is crucial for building pride and credibility.

Reflecting on his own journey, Green feels a sense of pride. He set out to build a program that was rigorous, structured, and rooted in fine arts, but also competitive, marketable, and passionate. As Green looks back on this chapter, he believes he has succeeded in his mission: “I gave each one of them knowledge, vision, passion, and work ethic.” As his students move on to new challenges, whether in art schools or other pursuits, he is confident they are prepared to hold their own and excel.

This year, four of our graduating seniors are taking bold steps toward their dreams, earning acceptance to some of the world’s most prestigious art schools. This includes Pratt Institute, Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), Parsons School of Design, and NYU. Their journeys reflect not only personal growth and artistic achievement, but also the evolution of a program that now empowers students to turn passion into purpose. In this four part series, discover how the next-generation have reimagined what’s possible, and how their time here has set them on a path to shape the creative world.

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For Linh Nguyen, art began as an escape from reality. A vivid, imaginative world she lived in as a child. From the beginning, drawing felt natural to her, it was never something she had to think about. This was the case until her father’s advice propelled her into action: “You cannot just imagine art; you have to do something.” This push, though initially met with resistance from her family, became a driving force. Originally, her parents encouraged her to pursue a more conventional path in data science or business, and it took years of persistence before they accepted her commitment to art. Linh describes this period as “chaotic but fun,” appreciating her family’s eventual willingness to support her dreams, even as she navigated the tension between creativity and practicality.

Art was never just a hobby for Linh, it was a habit and a way of seeing the world. From crayons in childhood to more sophisticated media in High School, her artistic practice evolved naturally. As she matured, Linh began to question the meaning behind her work, moving from casual doodles to intentional creations. Access to the internet opened up new horizons, exposing her to animation, graphic design, and global art communities. Influenced by Chinese and Japanese artists, as well as Western traditions like Baroque and Renaissance painting, Linh experimented with different styles before realizing the importance of authenticity. Her initial thoughts were, “I can’t just copy someone else, I have to be myself.”

Linh’s journey was shaped by pivotal mentors who helped her find her footing. Ms. Copper, her art teacher at BIS, offered honest feedback, balancing praise with constructive criticism. She helped Linh develop both realism and resilience. “She told me what was good about my art, and what I could do better,” Linh recalls, noting how this grounded her and improved her time management. 

Later, at Concordia Hanoi, Mr. Green and Ms. Tallie became equally influential. Mr. Green, initially intimidating as Linh recalls, encouraged her to take ownership of her choices, fostering independence and growth. Ms. Tallie, who shared Linh’s Vietnamese background and artistic ambitions, offered empathy and practical support, even advocating for Linh during parent-teacher conferences. Their openness to discuss any topic made the art classroom a space where boundaries could be pushed and difficult themes explored. A place where, as Linh puts it, “art disturbs the comfortable and comforts the disturbed.”

The art classroom became more than just a place to create, it was a community where Linh learned from her peers’ diverse backgrounds and perspectives. Collaborating and sharing ideas deepened her understanding of both art and herself. She found that discussing art with classmates helped her appreciate the unique stories each artist brings to their work. This sense of community, combined with her mentors’ guidance, gave Linh the confidence to pursue her own path.

Linh’s AP Art experience taught her the value of embracing both praise and criticism. She believes that growth comes from accepting feedback in all its forms, whether from teachers, peers, or herself. “If you want to develop, you have to accept both sides,” she says, describing how critiques have fueled her improvement. Stepping outside her comfort zone, especially in tackling realistic drawing, challenged her to grow as an artist. Linh also struggled with time management and focus, often getting sidetracked by unrelated research or overwhelmed by ideas. Over time, she learned to streamline her process, using structural notes and keywords, a strategy inspired by classmates and reinforced by her teachers.

Looking back, Linh is most proud of a series of works exploring her childhood fears, each piece connected to developmental psychology themes like trust, independence, and vulnerability. Growing up, Linh internalized the belief that expressing emotions was a sign of weakness, a message reinforced by societal expectations that led her to suppress her feelings. As the eldest child, she felt an added pressure to hide her feelings, internalizing the idea that sensitivity equated to fragility. For years, she denied her emotional side, unable to accept that vulnerability could be a strength. However, through her journey as an artist, Linh began to challenge these ingrained beliefs. 

Influences from her environment and her experiences in art gradually helped her realize that emotions are not something to be ashamed of. Art became her outlet for self-expression, allowing her to embrace her feelings openly and authentically. No longer bottling up her emotions, Linh now channels them into her work, finding both personal growth and artistic freedom in the process. This transformation has not only shaped her identity but has also become a defining aspect of her creative voice. These vibrant, emotionally honest pieces reflect her growth both as an artist and as a person. AP Art, she says, taught her not just technical skills, but also the value of community and authenticity.

Linh is set to attend Pratt Institute’s School of Design, majoring in communication design, with an emphasis in illustration. She is drawn to the intersection of fine arts and digital media, eager to explore storytelling through character design and animation. “I want my art to be more applicable, like my dad said, but I also want to tell stories—art can speak for itself if you do it properly,” she explains. Linh envisions her future work spanning studio art, digital projects, and even marketing, always with an eye toward communication and connection.

To younger students, Linh offers some noteworthy advice: plan before you start, seek feedback from mentors, and don’t be afraid to ask for help from those with experience. She emphasizes the importance of exploring different art forms before settling on a specialty, and values the lessons learned from both research and real-world experience. “You need their input, they’ve seen so many students come and go, and they know what works,” she says, encouraging students to build connections and learn from others in the field.

Linh’s artistic journey is ongoing, marked by curiosity and a willingness to embrace both challenge and change. As she steps into the next chapter, she carries with her the lessons of her mentors, the support of her community, and a belief in art’s power to connect, disturb, and heal. Her story is a testament to the transformative potential of creativity—and to the importance of finding one’s own voice in a world full of possibilities.

Look forward to more exciting content! Our next article will feature Gomeyongjin Lee, who will be attending Parsons in the Fall, and will explore themes of redefining beauty through fashion and design.