Instructors
Program(s): Chess
Ed Larson is an active tournament chess player currently rated in the 1700-1800 (USCF) range. He has taught chess with Orange County Recreation since Spring 2017.
Program(s): Tai Chi
Nina Maier has been studying Tai Chi and Qigong since 1994 and teaching since 1998. She practices and teaches Chen Style and Wu/Hao Style Tai Chi Quan and Shiba Luohan Gong qigong as well as other qigong sets. She is dedicated to the preservation of these ancient arts and to sharing them with others to increase self-knowledge, health, and well-being.
Program(s): Piano Lessons
Elena Marinina is a Classical Voice and Piano Instructor who graduated from Odessa Music School of Arts in Ukraine as a pianist, choir director, piano teacher, and a teacher of music theory. She received two Master of Arts degrees from Odessa Conservatory; one as a Choir Conductor and another as a Classical Singer. Her musical career includes being a vocal soloist, an opera singer, and a piano and voice instructor for private lessons as well as in a classroom setting.
Program(s): Martial Arts
Mr. Nishith Tirvedi began his martial arts training at the age of 8. He possesses a 4th degree black belt in PaSaRyu, a mixed martial arts that combines Karate, Kung-Fu, and Taekwondo, and black belts in several other styles including ATA (American Taekwondo Association), Aikido, and Jujitsu.
Mr. Trivedi has over 15 years of teaching experience under the leadership of Kang Rhee, Dave Pryga, and Darren Yancy. He has also trained with Rob Crowell, Anthony Slayton, and Gastavo Guillermoni.
Mr. Trivedi’s program focuses on two very important things: physical technique and life skills one needs to be a true martial artist. He believes that the most valuable lesson in all martial arts is that essential qualities like self-respect, self-discipline, and being ambitious while remaining humble are equally important as self-defense and breaking boards.