Instructors

Taijiquan: Through the Western Gate

Instructor : Rick Barrett

Rick Barrett is a senior tai chi student of Grandmaster William C. C. Chen. He also studies Chen Style tai chi and Xingyiquan with Master Yang Fukui. He teaches workshops around the country and has written a number of articles on tai chi, push hands, and tournaments for Inside Kung Fu and Tai Chi Magazine. He is author of Taijiquan: Through the Western Gate.

As a push hands competitor, Rick dominated his weight division for several years. He was middleweight national champion in 96, 97, and 98. He was also the US Kuoshu Champion in the unlimited division in 97 and 98.

Since retiring from tournament competition, Rick has been active as a forms judge and push hands referee, including recent service at the US Wushu Union Nationals and the AAU Nationals.

Viki Brown and Zemi Caribbean Workshops:
A multi-dimensional creative artist describes a part of Viki Brown. She has classically trained in oil, water color, acrylic and pastel painting. Some of her schooling has been at the Art Students League, University of Central Florida, and from the ‘Dream World’.
Working with the ancient indigenous Indians is one of her passions. Visions of what can be and will be is evident in her paintings. All cultures have their own way of calling out to spirit. It is important to ask questions correctly and with reverence but, even more so, we need to listen to the answer we receive and follow through. She uses visualizations to help the mind use its imagination, which helps it in actualizing the journey. Soft flute playing and drumming, like the rhythm of your beating heart, aids in the connection. Seeing, hearing, feeling and knowing so much more is what propels her into facilitating these ‘Dream Journeys’.
Viki had a vision of people enjoying themselves in the healing waters of the Caribbean, sailing, dancing, cooling out under the palm trees. But, also learning about valuable subjects that would aid them in their existence. So, thus began the idea of having an ‘Educational Vacation’. Zemi Caribbean Workshops was born.

Caribbean Drumming Workshop
Instructor: Eddie Bruce

Eddie lives on St.John and teaches theater arts and music at Spraue School and St John School of Arts. He also teaches guitar and African drumming. He is an outstanding musician and frequently gigs around town. He has been teaching english in China for over 3 years and speaks the Chinese language fluently. He collects musical instruments from around the world.

During the week, you will learn more about rhythm using a variety of instruments including some ancient drums from China and the Caribbean. You are welcome to bring your own drum from home, This workshop is for beginners to pros.

She is a featured astrologer on John Edward's new web channel, InfiniteQuest.com. Contact her at kellhunter@earthlink.net and explore her website www.heliastar.com.

Carla Murray:

Carla Murray is a singer, actor, guitarist and teacher of yoga and voice. Growing up, her focus was on gymnastics and she became CT. State Champion. She traveled to compete in The Junior Olympics and Canadian American Games. She later became interested in theatre and music. She has acted in numerous plays, including: The 20th Anniversary tour of “Hair”, “Assassins”, “Into The Woods” and “As You Like It”. She has also been in several bands, most notably:: NYC’s “The Moonlighters”

Louise Olivi:

Louise Olivi, M.S., is an intuitive/spiritual counselor, past life regression hypnotherapist and energy healer. She has facilitated metaphysical workshops for the past 21 years throughout the U.S., the U.S. Virgin Islands, England, Egypt and Turkey.

Louise also channels the Hopi Deity, Maasaw who gave the Hopi their prophecies. Together, they serve many in remembering the power of their true nature as spiritual beings.

Dr. May Trieu:

After graduating from Ohio University with B.S and M.S (pre-med and education) degrees, Dr. May Trieu pursued her medical education (studied western medicine) at SABA University, School of Medicine. Western medicines are not really treating the source of disorders. To better treat the source of her patients’ illnesses (not the symptoms) Dr. May Trieu decided to enroll in school to study eastern medicine which involve bodies' wellness. She started to gain knowledge at the acupuncture school in Dallas, TX. Always eager to learn more, Dr. May Trieu went to Vietnam (her birth place) to study more in depth. There, she was very happy to achieve a post doctorate degree in acupuncture and oriental medicine, including acupuncture, herbal remedies, nutrition, meditations, and acupressure at the medical school in Ho Chi Minh city, Vietnam. Before returning to the U.S., she was grateful to be able to go to some Buddhist temples to learn the secrets of Buddhist acupuncture from the master monks.

Dr. May Trieu has chosen the beautiful island of St. Thomas to open her practice. She is fully dedicated to promote the power of natural healing of the most ancient medicine.

Hoop Dancing
Instructor: Gina Wellner

Gina Wellner is a Certified Hoop Dance Instructor who is passionate about teaching joy and vitality through her Hoop Classes.

Hoop Dancing is a fitness and expressive dance program that utilizes heavy adult sized hula hooping as a vehicle to facilitate self-expression, creativity, and cohesive movement while having fun and exercising. This workshop will be specific for beginner hoopers and you will learn the basics such as core body hooping, freeing the feet, moving through the exercises to promote a nice flow. Simple moves on the body to "off the body" tricks will be taught along with balance work and Hoop Flow.

The students will learn through their own creative expression, how to choreograph their own hoop transitions and dance moves. This type of instruction increases coordination, strength-building, movement, balance, and expressive release through the use of instructive hoop play.