Master at Arms - Maestro de Armas, specialization & expertise in classical fencing and historical fencing.

Education

Bachelor of Arts, Adelphi University, 1976
Majoring in Spanish with a concentration in education. Spanish Honor Society Sigma Delta Pi 1975

Adelphi University Graduate School 1977
Degree Candidacy in Bicultural - Bilingual Education.

Fencing Qualifications & Experience

Expertise in classical fencing both Italian and French schools. Weapons include foil, épée (dueling sword) and sabre (Italian dueling sabre). Expertise in Historical fencing; French and Italian schools of smallsword, Spanish and Italian schools of rapier.

1973 - 1983: Studied classical fencing under Maître d'Armes Frederick Rohdes (see bio) at Rohdes Academy of Fencing, becoming his assistant and only instructor qualified by Maître Rohdes to teach his unique system of classical fencing with emphasis on dueling technique.

1979: Received Teaching Authorization at Rohdes Academy authorized by Maître d'Armes Frederick Rohdes.

1979 - 1980: Fencing Coach, Polytechnic Institute of New York.

Received Prevost certification.
Instructor to the Cornell Fencing Team and the Cornell Fencing Club.
Assistant Coach for A.F.L.A. Junior Olympic Training Camp.

1982 - 1983: Fencing Coach, Brooklyn College.

1982: Received Fencing Master certification at Rohdes Academy. Conferred by Maître d'Armes Frederick Rohdes.

1983 - present: Director, the Martinez Academy of Arms.

1995: Fellow in Residence, Aston Magna Academy (Rutgers University)

Delivered paper "La Verdadera Destreza," pertaining to the Academy's theme, "Cultural Cross - Currents: Spain & Latin America, ca. 1550-1750"

"From Fencing to Fandango: Dance in Imperial Spain" (Fencing and its Relationship to Dance in Imperial Spain) along with Dance Master Alan Tjaarda Jones.

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

CUNY Graduate School and University Center Conference "Perspectives on Movement: Interpretation of Dance Through Writing"

Delivered paper "The common Vocabulary of Dancing and Fencing"

"Spain and its New World Empire Part I: Golden Age Culture In Imperial Spain CA. 1550-1750" at Marquette University and Walkers Point Center for the Arts

Demonstration of "La Verdadera Destreza" presented in conjunction with Dance Master Alan Tjarda Jones at Lincoln Center, NYC.

Participated in The Baroque Ballet Workshop at the Jarvis Conservatory in Napa, California, directed by Catherine Turocy, Artistic Director of The New York Baroque Dance Company. Taught master classes to dancers studying and reconstructing period dance. Gave demonstration of Italian and Spanish rapier technique.

The International Paddy Crean Stage Combat Workshop held at Queen Margaret College Edinburgh Scotland, presented by The British Academy of Dramatic Combat, The International Order of the Sword and the Pen and The Banff Centre for the Arts. Taught specialized classes in period fencing which focused on actual applications of techniques of "La Destreza" and 18th century French Smallsword.

1999: Founding member of The International Masters at Arms Federation.

1999: Represented the Martinez Academy of Arms at the first FISAS International Meeting of Classical and Historical Fencing in Legnano, Italy and taught a class on the Spanish school of rapier. Demonstrated French smallsword vs. Italian smallsword, classical Italian dueling saber, and Spanish rapier and dagger.

1999: Sat on the Board of examiners for the first FISAS masters exam.

2000: Taught classes on La Destreza at The International Paddy Crean Combat Workshop in Banff, Alberta, Canada

2000: Gave a demonstration of French rapier and dagger at the Higgins Armory.

2000: Attend the first Swordplay Symposium International meeting in Houston, Texas as one of the board of advisors he taught a class on La Destreza.

2000: Taught a class on La Destreza at the second annual Western Martial Arts Workshop in Toronto, Canada.

2000: Presented a demonstration of La Destreza at the Sword and Swordsmanship Day at the Wallace Collection, London, England.

2000: Taught classes on La Destreza and gave demonstrations of dueling sabre, French smallsword and Spanish rapier and dagger at the Second International Meeting of Classical and Historical Fencing in Legnano, Italy.

2001: Presented a demonstration of classical and historical fencing at the United Nations International School fund raiser with his students.

2001: Conducted a Seminar on Spanish Rapier along with John Michael Greer in Ashland, Oregon.

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

2001: As president of the Association for Historical Fencing, hosted the Third Annual Western martial Arts Workshop in New York City. Taught a masters class on the Spanish School "La Verdadera Destreza".

2002: Taught a class on Spanish Rapier and Dagger and a class on Classical Italian Sabre, at The Third Meeting of Classical and Historical Fencing, hosted by FISAS, held in Legnano, Italy.

2002: Conducted a seminar on the Spanish School of Rapier in Ashland, Oregon

2002: Conducted a seminar on the Spanish School "La Verdadera Destreza" at the Second Annual Schola St. George Swordsmanship Symposium.

2002: Taught a classes on Spanish Rapier, Italian Dueling Sabre and Italian Rapier for Stage and Screen at the The 3nd Annual Lansing International Sword Fighting and Martial Arts Convention.

Eastern Martial Arts Experience

Trained in Northern Eagle Claw Kung Fu, Judo, Karate, Akido, Wing Chun, Hsing Yi, Yi Chuan and Wu style Tai Chi Chuan.
Extensive training in Tai Chi Chuan (Yang Style), along with Nei Kung.