Board of Directors 2012-2013


Bill Marsh, Hamilton, Ontario: President

 Bill Marsh From a martial arts and yoga background, in 1968-69 Bill Marsh began studying T'ai Chi from Edward Maisel's book.  Around 1975 he started the first T'ai Chi club in Hamilton, Ontario, participating in the formation of the Taoist T'ai Chi Society as representative of the Hamilton T'ai Chi Association.  Bill was previously a member of the Board of Directors of the Canadian Taijiquan Federation in its early formative years. He is an Elder and the current President of the CTF.

Carole O’Connor, St. Mary’s, Ontario: Secretary

 Carole O'Connor Carol has been a Taiji player for fourteen years with a background in Karate.  Sifu Steve Higgins, Cold Mountain Internal Arts, has been her Taiji mentor and an enormous influence and support.  Carol is an RMT, starting a practice in St. Marys, Ontario, where she will also be teaching Taijiquan in the new year.  Carol is a Past-President of the CTF, and is pleased to return to the Board as secretary for the next term.

David Bucklow, Miramichi West, New Brunswick Board Member

 David Bucklow
Dave started martial art training back in 1970, with Shotokan Karate and Jui-Jitsu while working in Germany and continued in England under Master Kanazawa and Master Hanoyda.  Moving to Sarnia, Ontario, with no Shotokan to be found, he studied Kung fu with Sifu Jorge DeGuzman, Karate for a year in London, Ontario, with Master Gary Legacy, then back to Sarnia, and Kung Fu.  It was at this time (1985) that Sifu DeGuzman convinced the Chinese community, lead by Dr. Tom Cheung, to come out and teach Tai Chi and QiGong.  That was the start of his journey, as he fell in love with the intricacies of the art.  Three years later Dr. Tom moved to London, and made him promise to keep the school going.
This he did for several years before moving to New Brunswick, where he studied Tae Kwon Do under Master Chung Won Kap, and Aikido with Master Maurice Lavigne, before one of the students insisted Dave teach him Tai Chi to help with his migraine headaches. He has been teaching Tai Chi and QiGong on the Miramichi River ever since, keeping his promise to Dr. Tom.
Duff Doel, Dundas, Ontario: Past President
 Duff Doel

Duff has been a teacher of Taijiquan since 1980.  He has practiced such martial arts as Judo, Karate, Hap Ki Do and Taijiquan.  After many decades of seeking, practicing, teaching and working with these energies, and as an initiated Master in the Usui System of Reiki Healing, Duff has developed his own syllabus of training in energy awareness, perception and interaction.  Duff lives and teaches in the Dundas area, in Ontario. 

Jill Heath, Oakville, Ontario:  TongRen Co-Editor

 Jill Heath Jill Heath has been studying the internal arts since 1990 and has taught Taiji and Qigong in Canada, the U.S. and the U.K. since 1995.  She made her competition debut in 1999 with a personal best in 2001 of 3 gold and 3 bronze medals at a single tournament for form, weapons and push hands.  In April 2008, at the National Canadian Kung Fu Fellowship tournament, she received 3 gold and 2 bronze medals in 5 events (form, weapons, moving and fixed step push hands, shuijiao).  She has been certified as an Associate Healing Tao instructor, Tai Chi for Arthritis instructor, Senior Level instructor (Canadian Taijiquan Federation), and is a Past President and Director of the Canadian Taijiquan Federation.  She continues her studies of the internal arts and considers herself fortunate to have studied with numerous Taiji masters over the years; however, she cites Sifus Helen Wu, Nick Gracenin, and Sam Masich, as the three who have most influenced her development and added to her understanding of this internal martial art.  In 2012 she was officially included in the family lineage of Sifu Helen Wu.

Kevin Eisbrenner, Hamilton, Ontario: Board Member

 Kevin Eisbrenner Kevin has been a Taijiquan practitioner since 2002.  After over a decade of studying under Sifu Duff Doel, Kevin has moved on to begin teaching the next generation of Taijiquan players on his own.  Through his tutelage under Sifu Doel, Kevin has gained a unique relationship with energy and incorporates these principles in his teaching.  Kevin resides and teaches in the Hamilton area of Ontario.
Pam Boyde, Whitehorse, Yukon: Board Member

 Pam Boyde Pam has been a Taiji player for over 20 years and sharing her love of the art for over 18 years.  She has been a student of the traditional Yang family style Taijiquan for the past 13 years.  Over the years her teachers have been Chantal Fafard, Sam Masich, John Camp, Grand Master Yang Zhenduo and Master Yang Jun.  Pam has attained her 5th level ranking and instructor certification with the International Yang Family Tai Chi Chuan Association.  She and her husband, Jim, live in the Ibex Valley just outside of Whitehorse, Yukon with their 20+ dogs.


Patricia Beretta, Kitchener, Ontario: TongRen Co-Editor

 Patricia Beretta Patricia came across Tai-Chi in the mid-90’s and learned from various instructors in Europe.  After coming to Canada she began her study with sifu Steve Higgins in 2001 at Cold Mountain Internal Arts, Kitchener, Ontario.  She also regularly attends Sam Masich’s seminars. Gradually, Tai Chi became a spring board for self-care, personal growth and professional development.  In 2006, Patricia shifted from her Biomedical career into Shiatsu and Acupuncture therapies, and teaching Tai Chi.  With therapies and practices based on balancing Qi flow, she found an elegant clinical system and way of life.  She has an original and creative approach to Tai Chi curriculum and pedagogy, based upon a background combining advanced Western medical knowledge, Traditional Chinese Medicine skills, and exercises promoting strong and free-flowing Qi.   

Steve Holbert, London, Ontario: Treasurer

 Steve Holbert Steven Holbert has been a T’ai Chi player for about twenty-six years.  He started with Gloria Jenner at the London Y, and worked with several teachers for a few years.  In 1998 he returned to Gloria’s teaching at the Phoenix T’ai Chi Centre.  About six years ago he began to do some teaching with her guidance, and became a teacher with the Centre in 2004.  He is now certified as a teacher with the Phoenix T’ai Chi Centre and with the Canadian Taijiquan Federation.  Steve has been a member of the Canadian Taijiquan Federation for eight years and is serving a second term as Treasurer.  Steven is retired from full-time nursing.  He maintains a small private practice in capacity assessments, and he continues as an active member of various professional groups.  He and his wife have four children and three grandchildren that help keep them busy during their ‘free time’.  
                                                                                                                             
CTF Elders:

Loong Wong

John Lee

Ed Cooper

Bill Marsh

Steve Higgins

Gloria Jenner

Deb Baumanis

Jill Heath

Jonathan Krehm

Michelle McMillan

 
 
Canadian Taijiquan Federation P.O. Box 32055,  London  ON  N5V 5K4

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