Acting instructor at UPS Academy.

Lyena Yonekura is an acting coach with over 25 years of experience, working with a broad spectrum of talent—from internationally acclaimed artists like MIYAVI, Rinko Kikuchi, Kiki Sukezanne, Masahiro Sunada, and emerging actors at the start of their careers.

She currently teaches at UPS and has taught at institutions such as the Tokyo Film Center School of Arts (for over 12 years), J Voice Talent Professional School, and Human Academy. She has also led workshops at talent agencies in Tokyo and Osaka.

A graduate of New York University’s Department of Drama, Lyena made her acting debut in the musical Annie and has since appeared in numerous stage productions including Of Mice and Men and The Tempest, as well as the Hollywood film A Beautiful Mind. In 2001, she became the first Japanese woman accepted as a member of the prestigious Actors Studio.

As a director, her credits include Alchemist, Golden Tickets, MOMO, Once On This Island, Scavengers (UPS Theater Vol.1), My Dearest Lilac (Vol.2), and STOP KISS (BNAW) among others.

She also appeared as a guest judge on the TV Tokyo audition program Dreamer Z.