My Teachers
I have 31 years experience in Taijiquan (Tai Chi) and Qigong (Chi Kung). Through the years of my study I've had several teachers, and many coaches. Teachers are those I attended class with over an extended period and learned new information about styles and forms from them. Coaches enhanced the information I already knew, helping me to discover more potential.
Madam Wang Jurong
Madam Wang was one of my first teachers, and I learned both Kung Fu and Tai Chi from her. She was an amazing woman with incredible accolades. She trained Jet Li's coach, Wu Ben. She was awarded an honorary degree in martial arts, and inducted into multiple historical societies. She was one of the few martial artists to have also mastered another art (archery) and was an international level judge in both.
Learning from Madam Wang was like having your grandmother teach you martial arts. You never wanted to disappoint her. One disapproving glance would bother you for days, and you would strive to get it right! I cannot say enough about this wonderful woman. She is missed.
Jeff Bolt
One of my earliest experiences in Kung Fu and Tai Chi came from Jeff Bolt. Sifu Jeff Bolt has 40 years of experience in the Chinese martial arts. He has promoted and organized more than a dozen national and international tournaments since 1986, when he held the first all-Chinese martial arts tournament at the national level. He was inducted into the Inside Kung Fu Magazine's Hall of Fame in 1988 for his Outstanding Contributions to Martial Arts. He is a senior student to Dr. Yang Jwing-Ming and has co-authored two books with him.
Sifu Jeff certainly taught me the bulk of my Tai Chi knowledge including 108 Yang Style, Chi Kung (Qigong), Chin na grappling (Qinna), Pushing Hands, Two-person Fighting Set, and Tai Chi Sword.
Sean Marshall
Sean began his formal martial arts training at the age of 13. His first teacher, Ron Kitchen was a student of Master Anthony Goh. When Sean finished high school, he moved to Baltimore to train directly with Master Goh. He trained intensively and his hard work paid off. He became Anthony Goh's senior disciple and in 1998 became the first student to whom Master Goh awarded the title Shifu (Master Instructor).
Sean Marshall has been instrumental in instructing me in Chen-Style Tai Chi. His experience with teachers and coaches from China--and from Chen Village in particular--has been invaluable. His patience, tolerance, and kindness are legendary.