I began teaching by becoming my teacher's apprentice. This is the old-fashioned way of becoming a fencing teacher. I learned by teaching six hours a day, three days a week, at my teacher's school, and by doing private lessons. Early on, I fenced in Europe. In time, I opened my own school in Los Angeles, where I taught both sport and theatrical fencing. I also worked as a consultant to the film industry.
In 1985, I moved to Missouri, where I began establishing myself as a fencing master from scratch. Since that time, I have worked privately in West Plains, Springfield, and St. Louis. I have also held fencing workshops at St. Louis University and Marquette University in Milwaukee. Currently, I teach the fencing club at Missouri State University.
The Missouri State Fencing Society has been in existence for four years. The university used to offer fencing classes, but has not done so in over ten years. When I moved to Springfield in 2000, I thought Missouri State was ripe for fencing, so I set about organizing a fencing club. But it wouldn’t be just a club; it would be organized along the lines of traditional fencing salles. Students would come and take lessons from me, and would actually learn to fence. We were successful from the very start. Missouri State students really wanted to learn to fence! Although we have had some ups and downs with membership (due to students graduating and leaving the area), and finding locations to fence in on campus, we now find ourselves in a very healthy position, with an enthusiastic and dedicated group of members. Actually, I enjoy teaching the club more today than when I began.
As a side light, I have written five fencing-related books: The Encyclopedia of the Sword (1995), The Art and Science of Fencing (1996), Fighting with Sticks (1997), The Inner Game of Fencing (2000) , and The Woman Fencer (2001). I am also the fencing history editor for Encyclopedia Britannica.
I teach fencing by gearing lessons to the individual. No one progresses at the same rate as anyone else. It's all very individualistic. We learn through repetition, not memorization. We build on previous information. It is slow, but it is sure. No one gets beyond what they are capable of doing. I try to make the student comfortable with the learning process, and to not live in fear of making mistakes. Learning to fence is all about making mistakes.
As I said, I teach a traditional fencing process. Mostly because it is understandable, as it is based on principles that were established when people were still fighting with sharp swords. Our guiding thought is: "What if these weapons were sharp?" That says it all, because it gives meaning to our actions. With meaning and understanding, we gain control over ourselves. If you can't produce a successful touch on purpose, you aren't really fencing. Traditional fencing also brings us a mindset and philosophy that helps us grow as individuals in a positive way. In this way, fencing transcends the boundaries of the fencing strip, and enriches our whole life.
When I work with students, they are expected to approach fencing with a sense of dedication and self-discipline. I don't expect anyone to necessarily devote their life to fencing, but I do expect students to respect what I say, and to give fencing their best effort. There is no goofing around when I teach. Also, since I deal with fencing in a traditional manner, students use French weapons, as opposed to pistol grips, which I consider a detriment to the fencing process.
Students must learn the weapons of fencing in the proper order. All my students begin with the foil. This is a requirement. After that comes the epee. And, lastly, the saber. I make no exceptions with this regimen. There are a number of reasons for this approach, and they all revolve around control.
Finally, you might ask, "Why should anybody fence? Why should I fence?" Well, at the very least, it is certainly good exercise. It is also an intensely personal sport, very one-on-one; and in this way it satisfies basic competitive urges. It is a very intellectual sport, and so is satisfying for those who prize physical activities where thought is essential. Sometimes fencing is referred to as physical chess. Through the mastery of fencing, we find it to be very much a confidence builder. For the romantic, there is the color and tradition and history of fencing. And, of course, there is the social aspect, the interaction with other people, the sense of sharing, of being part of something larger than one’s self that is centuries old. Fencing is all this and more.
Fencing has been my life for thirty-five years, and I recommend it
highly.
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