HISTORY

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John and Larissa are the founders and owners of New Amsterdam Fencing Academy. Both have been nationally competitive foil fencers and were students of Polish fencing master Marek Wyszynski. Their experience in training young fencers began in 1997 with their work in New York City public and private schools. John and Larissa strive to make NAFA a place where modern pedagogical knowledge is joined with the competitive flair of one of the oldest Olympic sports.

John was a long-time nationally ranked, A-rated, foil fencer. He is also certified by the United States Fencing Coaches Association as a Moniteur in all three weapons. One of his students has, in only one year, recently become nationally ranked in foil, himself. John has been working with children for more than 17 years, and he has been teaching fencing for over 11 years. John is always looking to expand his coaching knowledge and improve NAFA’s program. Even though he is the club’s proprietor, John still makes the development of his students his primary concern.

Larissa has taken part in the United States Fencing Association’s Coaches College. She is also a certified Feldenkrais practitioner. The Coaches College is a program designed to provide professional fencing education to US coaches in order to enhance the quality of fencing training nationwide. The Feldenkrais Method of somatic education is a learning model designed to bring awareness to oneself in action. Larissa has made use of her experience with the Coaches College and her expertise in movement to enhance NAFA’s philosophy and curriculum.