Musical Performers

Andrew Hubbard has been studying music since the age of 10. He has at one time or another studied the piano, saxophone, trumpet, trombone, violin, viola, electric bass, and guitar. He has sung, and played bass and guitar in several different rock and blues bands. For several years Andrew studied jazz guitar. For the last five years, however, he has been studying classical guitar privately with Julio Prol, a noted student of Andres Segovia.

Raphael Klayman is a concert violinist with international training and performing experience. He is a graduate of the Mannes College of Music in New York, and also holds a Certificate de Stage degree from the Summer Academy of Nice, France. His teachers have included some of America's greatest virtuosos. Mr. Klayman has given numerous recitals in the US and abroad, and has also appeared as a concerto soloist with orchestras. Mr. Klayman has been a competition winner and is listed in a number of Honor Society biographies.

Wossing ("Harmonious Stars"), directed by Julie Tay, teaches a diverse set of courses in time-honored Chinese folk traditions. Located in the heart of Manhattan's Chinatown, the Wossing Chinese Music Circle combines music instruction, practice sessions, and performance activities under the direction of professional musicians from mainland China.

Emilio China received formal training in composition, jazz and third stream studies at the Juilliard School and the New England Conservatory of music. He began playing violin professionally at age sixteen with jazz clarinet maestro Perry Robinson. In 1995 he started the Mutiny Zoo Recording Company which is based in Hoboken NJ, and has released independent records both as a singer and instrumentalist. Emilio is active performing and producing musical events in the NY area and beyond.

Martial Arts Performers

Pedro Ceparo began his martial arts studies at the age of eleven. Studying the arts of Karate, Wing Chun and his chosen art of Hung Ga. He began his Hung Ga studies under Master Frank Yee (Yee Chee Wai) during the early eighties in New York's Chinatown. Sifu Ceparo has been chosen by Master Yee as the eighth disciple of the Tang Fung Hung Ga System.

Bruce Kumar Frantzis has over 30 years' experience in martial arts, healing, and meditation. He is a lineage disciple of Liu Hung Chieh of Beijing in the internal styles of Pa Kua, Hsing Yi, and Wu Style Tai Chi. Liu lived and studied with Wu Jien Chuan, the founder of the Wu style. Kumar is the author of many books on martial arts, meditation, and health such as Chi Gung: Opening the Energy Gates and The Power of Internal Martial Arts.

Edna Lima has followed the paths of Brazilian Capoeira and Japanese karate for twenty years - both martial arts with deep traditions of spirituality and of struggle against oppression. A 4th dan in Shotokan Karate, she also holds the title of Mestra in Capoeira -- the art's highest rank. Three years ago, Edna founded the Axe Capoeira Foundation.

Kenneth Delves has been studying, promoting, and teaching martial arts for over thirty years. In 1965 he attended classes in karate. He studied Northern Shaolin with Alan Lee from 1968 to 1976. Later he studied Hsing Yi with Kenny Gong from 1976 to 1984. He also studied Buddha Hand Wing Chun with Henry Leung from 1987 to 1992.

Nina Hopkins Sugawara is the owner of The Chi Garden in San Diego. She teaches classes in Tai Chi, Chi Gong and Yoga. She has a Ph.D. in Homeopathic Medicine and is a Board Certified Naturopathic Physician. She has studied under Master Henry Look, Arthur Goodridge, Don Miller and Patty O'Dea. She is a sixth generation Guang Ping Yang Tai Chi practitioner. She is currently the Vice-president of the Guang Ping Yang Tai Chi Association.

Rick Barrett is a senior Taijiquan student of Grandmaster William C.C.Chen. His numerous Taiji Push Hands championships include 3 times middleweight champion at Taste of China All-Taijiquan Championship, 4 times as Infinite Weight Champion at the US Kuoshu Championship, and twice as Senior Super Heavyweight Champion at the United World Kung Fu/Wushu Championships. He teaches Taijiquan and Push Hands in workshops around the country.

James Cama has been training in martial arts for over three decades. Sifu Cama first met Leung Chi Man (Henry Leung) in the mid 70's and was the first ever certified instructor of Fut Sao Wing Chun Kuen. Fut Sao came from Shaolin to Canton. Leung Chi Man brought the style to New York City. Fut Sao is internal in nature and has tork, inch power, Hei Gung, Siu Batt Qua footworks, and Fa Jing.

Chen Robert School of Tai Chi Chuan

Chen Wei Gun arrived from China in 1992. Born in the Tai Shan region of Canton province, Sifu Chen has practiced martial arts since early childhood and has over 40 years' teaching experience in China. As one of the leaders of the Canton Wushu Association and President and chief instructor of the Tai Shan Martial Arts Institute, Sifu Chen has trained over 2000 students, many to be instructors. He is presently teaching at Chen Robert School of Tai Chi Chuan in New York City.

Madalina Stefan has been a student of Sifu Chen Wei Gun for over 4 years and has won medals in Tai Chi Chuan tournaments in China and the USA.

Bob Blanton has been studying Tai Chi Chuan with Sifu Chen Wei Gun for seven years. Bob opened the Chen Robert School of Tai Chi Chuan in New York City in 1994.

Vingrove Thomas has studied several Chinese martial arts. In the early 1970's he began training in the Fu Jow Pai (Tiger Claw) Kung fu system headed by Wai Hong. In 1974 Sifu Thomas devoted his training to Wing Chun under Sifu Lee Moy Shan. In 1986 he opened his own school, the Wing Chun Kung Fu Institute. During this period he was studying Chen-style Taijiquan and Xinyi Linbequan (Mind and Will Six Harmonies Boxing) with Master George Xu, and represents these arts for Master Xu in the New York area.

Norman Chin, a disciple of the late Master Ho Doon Chin, is the only Master teaching Kwong Sai Jook Lum Jee Tong Long Pai (Kwong Sai Province Bamboo Forest Temple Praying Mantis kung fu) to the general public in New York and Northeastern United States. Master Chin is a recognized authority of the Southern Mantis System with over 25 years' teaching experience. He is also one of the top performers of the Southern Lion Dance.