• I provide the following services:
• Tuition / coaching
• Talks to groups, conventions and societies
• Workshops, classes and individual lessons
• Maintenance of private Bonsai collection
• Please read the Testimonials pages

My experiences indicates that there are two distinct ways of shaping and growing Bonsai.  One is shown through demonstrations  which due to their set-up and character focuses on styling and techniques thus creating an impression of ‘instant’ Bonsai.  The other is the one I have learned during my time with Danny Use, and even more so with Kawabe-san.  This is a more gentle approach, allowing the tree to recover from each step, and gradually turn it into a mature image of a tree – or Bonsai.

Although the latter approach seems to be much slower, my experiences and observations indicate that this is usually far better for the health of the tree, and gives you a constant - and surprisingly faster – result than the ‘instant’ Bonsai approach.  Because of this, my teachings focus much more on the slower approach, while still enabling time and energy for learning the different styling techniques that can be seen on demonstrations.

·         Workshops

There are several types of options available

o    Styling – focusing on turning a piece of raw material into a first image of a Bonsai,
emphasizing the correct use of  styling techniques.  A maximum of 6 persons a
workshop is advisable as I would like to give each individual the attention needed

o    Re-Styling – refining the shape of a more established tree.  Focus is on wiring techniques
and refined image of a tree.  A maximum of 6 persons a workshop is advisable as I would like to give
each tree the attention required

o    Bonsai Project – this type of workshop is based on the Japanese approach of growing a Bonsai.
In a group of  maximum 8, one starts ideally with raw material, and over a period of 4 years
(with a minimum of two workshops per year) grow it into a mature image of a Bonsai. 
Techniques and horticultural knowledge comes hand in hand.  The beauty of this system – as
experienced first hand with the ‘Kawabe School’ – is that if each individual starts with a different
species, the whole group learns about all of them (i.e. if there are 8 people per group, each individual
can learn of 8 species).

All workshops are open to beginners and advanced enthusiasts. 
You can bring your own material, or I can provide suitable material on request. I work with each persons abilities.

·         One-to-one tuition
The items discussed in workshops are also available on a one-to-one basis.
Suitable for beginner and more advanced enthusiasts alike.

·         Maintenance of private collection/coaching
Services ranging from me maintaining your collection to me coaching and
advising you towards you maintaining your own collection

·         Talks to groups, conventions and societies
Subject of talks are wide and varied.  Where possible assisted with examples
from my own collection.