Master Huan Zhang, Founder and Chief Instructor
Huan has 40 plus years of martial arts experiences. He has studied variety of martial arts from top masters from China including his father Grandmaster Zhang Lu Ping, Grandmaster Li Tai Liang, and Great Grandmaster Cai Hong Xiang. He has been interviewed by WCVB & NECN. Published many martial arts articles on major magazines from both China and America, he is also the Chief Exercise designer for a NIH granted Joint Pain Study for elderly at University of Massachusetts, Boston. He was the co-president of the 2023 WOMAC( World Open Martial Arts Championship). As the vice president of the The World Fighting Martial Arts Federation (WFMAF), he helps to promote Martial Arts Worldwide.
Sifu David Watts, Director & Senior Instructor
David Watts has practiced Tai Chi for more than 15 years with Master Zhang. Dave has appeared in Tai Chi – Spirit of Kung Fu, a premiere magazine in China. he also participated as a judge for local kung fu/martial arts and wrestling tournaments. He also won metals for both Tai Chi and Tai Chi push hands from international martial arts competitions. In addition, he is a husband, father and a member of the American Mountain Guides Association.
Michael Stevens, Associate Instructor
Michael Stevens has several years of martial arts experience, and has been training with Master Zhang for 8 years, studying Tai Chi , Ba Gua, Tong Bei, Saber and Short/Long Staff. He won metals on Long Staff from international martial arts competitions. Micheal has appeared in Tai Chi and Kung Fu magazine. When not doing Tai Chi, he works as a software engineer.
William J. Butts, Assistant Instructor
William has been a student of martial arts for several years and a student of yang style Tai Chi and Cheng Style Bagua for roughly 3 year under Master Huan Zhang. He assisted Master Zhang for his Tai Chi and Ba Gua classes in Newton , Belmont and Watertown. He completed graduate studies in the exercise and health sciences at UMass Boston in 2020. As a member of the HELP 2 study (Helping Elders Living with Pain), he assisted in designing protocol of therapeutic value for older adults.
Greer Tan Swiston, Assistant Instructor
Greer Tan Swiston has been studying various disciplines of martial arts since she was a child and has been practicing Tai Chi with Huan since 2018. She assisted Master Zhang for his Tai Chi classes in Newton. A former High Tech Executive and engineer turned elected official, Greer has since retired from both the corporate world and politics and currently serves in the leadership of the Greater Boston Chinese Cultural Association (GBCCA), teaches in the public Elementary schools and invests in real estate. She also coaches a high school robotics team and a youth dragonboat team.
Joe Zane, Assistant Instructor
Joe Zane has been studying Chinese Martial Arts for around 7 years including Northern Shaolin, Yang Taijiquan and Chen Taijiquan (lao jia). Joe began to study Chen Taijiquan (xin jia) with Huan in 2020, which continues to be his main focus. He also studies xingyi-dao, broadsword (dao) and short stick (bian gan) with Huan. When not practicing Taiji, Joe makes and exhibits art and manages several art galleries for Harvard University.
Yash Deshpande, Teaching Assistant
Yash has been practicing martial arts for just over 2 years, and recently won a silver medal in the Northern Kung Fu – Short Weapon category at the 2023 World Open Martial Arts Championship. He is currently studying Xin Yi Dao and Yang-style Tai Chi under Master Huan Zhang.