Master at Arms (Maestro de Armas), with specialization and expertise in classical and historical fencing.

Fencing Qualifications & Experience

Expertise in classical fencing both Italian and French schools. Classical weapons include foil, épée (dueling sword), and Italian dueling saber. Expertise in historical fencing includes French and Italian schools of smallsword and Spanish and Italian schools of rapier.

1982-1983: Studied classical fencing under Maître d'Armes Frederick Rohdes (see bio) at Rohdes Academy of Fencing.

1983-2000: Studied classical and historical fencing with Maestro Ramon Martinez (see bio) at the Martinez Academy of Arms.

1995: Received teaching authorization as an Instructor at the Martinez Academy of Arms.

1995-present: Manager, Martinez Academy of Arms

1995: Assistant to Maestro Ramon Martinez in the following presentations at the Aston Magna Academy (Rutgers University) pertaining to the Academy's theme, "Cultural Cross-Currents: Spain & Latin America, ca. 1550-1750.":

Delivered paper, "La Verdadera Destreza"

Presented a demonstration,"From Fencing to Fandango: Dance in Imperial Spain,"On Fencing and its Relationship to Dance in Imperial Spain," along with Dance Master Alan Tjaarda Jones, Zaravanda Dance Company.

Delivered a paper, "The Common Vocabulary of Dancing and Fencing in Seventeenth-Century Spanish Texts," along with Alan Tjaarda Jones.

1995: Delivered a paper, "The common Vocabulary of Dancing and Fencing," at the CUNY Graduate School and University Center Conference, "Perspectives on Movement: Interpretation of Dance Through Writing"

1996: Assistant to Maestro Ramon Martinez in the presentation of "Spain and its New World Empire, Part I: Golden Age Culture In Imperial Spain, c.a. 1550-1750" at Marquette University and Walkers Point Center for the Arts.

1997: Assistant to Maestro Ramon Martinez in the presentation of "European Court Entertainment's: Distractions for the Royal taste, 1500-1789,"a demonstration of La Verdadera Destreza presented in conjunction with Dance Master Alan Tjarda Jones at Lincoln Center, NYC.

1998: Assistant to Maestro Ramon Martinez at the Baroque Ballet Workshop, Jarvis Conservatory, Napa, California. Assisted in teaching classes and demonstrating Italian and Spanish rapier technique.

1999: Appointed Provost, Martinez Academy of Arms

1999: Event coordinator for the Classical Fencing and Historical Swordsmanship Exposition, Jersey City, NJ.

1999: Elected Vice-President of the Association for Historical Fencing.

1999: Assistant to Maestro Ramon Martinez at The International Paddy Crean Stage Combat Workshop, Queen Margaret College, Edinburgh, Scotland. Assisted in teaching specialized classes in period fencing which focused on actual applications of techniques of La Destreza and 18th century French smallsword.

1999: Assisted in founding The International Masters at Arms Federation.

1999: Assistant to the International Masters at Arms Federation at the first IMAF examination board testing candidates for Masters at Arms.

1999: Assistant to Maestro Ramon Martinez at the first FISAS International Meeting of Classical and Historical Fencing in Legnano, Italy. Assisted Maestro Martinez in teaching and demonstrating the Spanish school of rapier. Demonstrated French smallsword vs Italian smallsword and classical Italian dueling saber.

2000: Maestro di Arme certification from the International Masters at Arms Federation; Maestro de Armas (Master at Arms) certification from Martinez Academy of Arms.

2000: Acknowledged as one of the founders of the International Masters at Arms Federation.

2000: Taught a specialized class on early French smallsword and demonstrated French smallsword and Spanish rapier and dagger at the Second International Meeting of Classical and Historical Fencing in Legnano, Italy.

2001: Assisted Maestro Martinez teaching a Spanish Rapier Seminar along with John Michael Greer in Ashland, Oregon.

2001: Taught a class on French Small Sword at the The 2nd Annual Lansing International Sword Fighting and Martial Arts Convention.

2001: As Vice President of the Association for Historical Fencing, along with the committee Chair Fawzi Al-Nawal organized the Third Annual Western martial Arts Workshop held in New York City. Taught a masters class on the French Small Sword.

2002: Taught a class on French Small Sword, at The Third Meeting of Classical and Historical Fencing, hosted by FISAS, held in Legnano, Italy.

2002: Taught a class on the French Small Sword at the Second Annual Schola St. George Swordsmanship Symposium.

2002: Taught a classes on French Small Sword at the The 3nd Annual Lansing International Sword Fighting and Martial Arts Convention.