INSTRUCTORS
Instructors at the Tai Chi and Qi Gong with Fang Association focus on the Yang style named after its creator Yang Chen-fu. All instructors have practiced with Master Fang Chih Lee for a minimum of two years, and completed required class time and internships with Master Lee.
FANG-CHIH LEE
Founder and Owner
Fang-Chih Lee has been teaching for over 30 years. Her career began in Taiwan, the Republic of China. Twenty years ago Fang moved to the United States. Her school, Asian Crane Tai Chi, LLC, is in Plymouth, Massachusetts. She holds a Master of Science in Recreation Management degree from Springfield College as well as a Bachelor of Science degree in Movement Study from Springfield and a Bachelor of Science in Physical Education from the National Taiwan College of Physical Education where she was later appointed an associate professor. Fang received the Presidential Best Teacher Award (Republic of China) and was Taiwan’s National Martial Arts Champion. She also earned her Black Belt, Third Degree, in Kendo and Four Degree Tai Chi. An internationally renowned instructor, coach, and authority on recreational management, Fang brings the benefits of Tai Chi and Qi Gong to her many students, including children and seniors. She has been instrumental in organizing Tai Chi tournaments. With the release of her three DVDs and her growing number of classes in the Plymouth area, Fang-Chih Lee continues to demonstrate how the ancient Chinese arts she has mastered promote good health and long life.
KATHY DEMERS
Certified Instructor
Kathy has studied tai chi and qi gong with Fang Chih-Lee for 10 years. She is an instructor for Tai Chi and Qi Gong with Fang Association, and currently teaches classes at Whitman Wellness Center, Silver Lake Regional High School in the Adult Education Program, and at assisted living residences on the South Shore. At the 2019 New England International Chinese Martial Arts Championships, she received a gold medal for a Freestyle Yang 37 Step Form. Kathy is also an Energy Practitioner and Reiki Master Instructor. She has a private practice andenjoys facilitating workshops and sharing her experiences with energy healing. Before becoming a tai chi and qi gong instructor, Kathy was a Special Education Teacher for 33 years, with a Masters Degree in Curriculum and Instruction, and certified in Brain Gym, a Movement-Based Learning program. “Tai Chi and Qi Gong are gentle on the body, calming to the mind, and good for the spirit. I love the many health benefits of tai chi and qi gong and am glad to have the opportunity to share this practice with others.” For more information, contact Kathy at kdlight.net
YA-LI HO
Certified Instructor
A graduate of the National Taiwan College of Physical Education, Ya-Li is a certified physical education teacher in Taiwan and is a certified instructor of Tai Chi and Qi Gong here in the United States. She is highly skilled at demonstrating and explaining the postures and movements of Tai Chi and Qi Gong traditions. In addition, Ya-Li's sensitivity allows her to adapt her instruction to her students' needs and capabilities.
Call Ya-Li for more class information: 781.364.0879
PETER TRENOUTH
Certified Instructor
A veteran teacher, Peter is a four-time New England Gin Bel Sy gold medalist, and won an International gold medal at the 2014 Tai Chi World Cup in Taipei, Taiwan. He is especially adept at reassuring inexperienced students. Peter is also the co-writer of Fang-Chih Lee’s instructional videos and publications. His deep understanding of Tai Chi and Qi Gong’s philosophical foundations complements his skillful and affable approach to students’ learning.
Call Peter for more class information: 339.832.0163
SHERRY MALONE
Certified Instructor
Sherry, who has extensive martial arts background in several styles including Goju Karate, Euchi Ryu Karate and Wah Lum Kung fu, began studying Tai Chi Chuan in an effort to quell the painful symptoms of fibromyalgia.
Master Lee’s longest standing American student, Sherry began studying with Fang in 2001. Since then not only has she managed to conquer and control her physical issues through the practice of Tai Chi, she was the 2016 World Champion in the Open Weapons Division, Silver medalist for Kung Fu Fan and International Champion for 4 other hand and weapon forms.
She is the current World silver medalist for her Fan work and 2018 international champion for two hand forms. In 2014 she took home a world bronze for her weapons form.
Sherry’s teaching specialty is in the mechanics of movement and she is adept at breaking down moves to teach balance, control and relaxation. She also has an extensive dance and gymnastics background that along with her dedicated Tai Chi practice has given her a unique approach to teaching the applied physics of Tai Chi movement.
NATALIE ZAMMITO
Certified Instructor
Natalie's interest in Tai Chi began in the late 1980s, when she saw a man in Boston's Fens at his daily practice. The opportunity to learn came years later, and she jumped at the chance. After nearly a decade of practice with Master Fang-Chih, Natalie has become an international competitor and medalist in Tai Chi hand sets and weapons, and won an International silver medal at the 2014 Tai Chi World Cup in Taipei, Taiwan. She has been a participant and judge for New England Tai Chi Chuan, as well as the International Chinese Martial Arts Championship. Instructor certification deepened her knowledge of Tai Chi principles, history and guidance. She values the lessons she learns from her students as much as what she teaches them.
LAUREN POWERS
Certified Instructor
Lauren Powers has a life-long love of physical movement and healing. With her background in the arts, holistic health, and special education, she began studying Tai Chi and Qi Gong under Fang-Chih Lee six years ago and remains dedicated to learning more. A popular instructor, Lauren strives to create an inclusive, non-competitive atmosphere. She is easy to follow, explains things clearly, and is able to adapt movements to meet the needs of all types of students. "Tai Chi and Qi Gong have changed my life,” Lauren explains. “I'm stronger, my mind is clearer, I feel calmer, more flexible, and my overall health has improved. This has inspired me to share these wonderful benefits with others, because I love to see people grow and heal."
JEANETTE GOULD-SCHMIDT
Certified Instructor
Jeanette Gould-Schmidt is a Doctor of Physical Therapy who practiced for almost twenty years, servicing children and adults with a wide range of diagnoses. Prior to her graduate studies Jeanette earned a bachelor’s degree in dance from the Boston Conservatory of Music, which launched her five-year career performing both on and off Broadway. After her retirement from her physical therapy practice, Jeanette began studying Tai Chi with Master Fang-Chih Lee. A year and a half later Jeanette traveled to Taipei to compete in the 2014 Tai Chi World Cup Tournament, along with Fang and nine other students. She received an international silver medal for her performance of the 13-Form. In 2015 Jeanette became a certified Tai Chi instructor. She now teaches Tai Chi and Qi Gong classes at rehabilitation centers and nursing homes in Plymouth, the Sandwich Council on Aging, and the Yoga Center in Marston Mills on Cape Cod. Most recently Jeanette has started a sitting and standing Tai Chi and Qi Gong class at the Spire Center for the Performing Arts in Plymouth. She focuses on a combination of eastern and western medicine to improve students’ overall wellbeing.
PETER BAIRD
Certified Instructor
Peter started learning Tai Chi in the early 1980s while in graduate school at the University of Kansas. His first teacher, Craig Voorhees, taught in the tradition of Cheng Man-Ching (CMC). He then became a student of Henry Wu in Kansas City who taught a combined style form. At that time, Peter attended a workshop with Benjamin Pang Lo (a student of CMC). He moved to Massachusetts in 1986, and studied at YMAA, Yang Jwing-Ming’s school in Hyde Park, where his primary teacher was Alan Dugal. In the late 1990’s and the early 2000s, he studied a Wu style form and Chi Gung with Buddy Tripp a student of Bruce Kumar Frantzis. At that time, he attended a workshop with Master Frantzis. Since 2017, Peter has been studying in Plymouth, MA with Master Fang-Chih Lee. Master Fang was a student of Grand Master Xu Yizhong, a student of CMC. Peter was certified as an Instructor by Fang-Chih Lee in 2018. He assists with instruction in weekly Saturday classes at the Spire Center in Plymouth.