From the Editor

by Heather Mandin

Academie Duello presents... our first ever newsletter!

What is it? This newsletter is our way of sharing and staying connected with our students, followers, associates, teachers, and media representatives. By giving you the inside scoop on the latest changes, new friendly faces, and events you should mark on your calendars, the AD Newsletter will fill that gap in your heart that has been longing for this kind of all-inclusive. 

Our Team

Maestro Devon Boorman, Aynsley Scott, Roland Cooper, Katherine Howard, Jaimie Marchand, Heather Mandin, Heather Thomas, Jennifer Landels, Adam Lein, Joanne Bentley, Laura Kostur, David McCormick, Meghan O’Connell, Braun McAsh, Joan Flood.

Lest we forget to give a shout out to our amazing volunteers and students who have donated their time, hearts and energy to make AD the successful school and community that it is! A special Thank You to Walker Lunsford, Greg Yoshida, Aaron Lamontagne, Katherine Umayam, Bonnie Jean, Steven Ansley, James Michek, Terri Grassic, Rosie Jones, Craig Peters, Taber Smit, Mike Miller, Kaja Sadowski and Geoff Manton.  

Thank you for your continued support of Academie Duello! Ω

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This Issue's Contributors

Devon Boorman is the Director and Maestro at Arms of Academie Duello. He has been an active practitioner of Western Martial Arts for the past 17 years.

Aynsley Scott - Youth Programs Coordinator: Aynsley organizes our Youth programs, for ages 8-14 years, including our spring and summer Knight Camps, school outreach programs, demonstrations and birthday parties. He can also be found teaching the history portion of Academie Duello’s weekly home schooling classes

Jennifer Landels – Jennifer has been a student of Academie Duello for nearly two years, but has been riding since before she could walk. She devised the Cavalieri program as a means of combining these two obsessions.

Roland Cooper - Roland Cooper has been floating around the Academie since its inception: he was the first student to sign up; he was the first green cord, the first blue cord and (almost) the first red cord. He is pleased to now be the store manager and head youth instructor, helping Academie Duello grow and develop.

Heather Thomas – Heather has been around since February of this year. She is the resident bookbinder and bibliophile, and has recently taken over the position of librarian. She can also be seen behind the desk on Saturdays.

Heather Mandin – Intrigued upon discovering Academie Duello online, designer Heather Mandin excitedly approached the school in early 2009, hoping to use her background in Program/Event Planning and Marketing to help grow the school in new and exciting directions. Working for 6 years on programs geared towards giving minority and grassroots groups a voice through artistic means, Heather brings a creative and passionate spin.

A True Vancouver Destination

Founded in 2003, Academie Duello – North America’s premier school of modern swordplay – is conveniently located close to Waterfront Station at 412 W. Hastings. Boasting over 4000 square feet of space for practice in rapier, longsword, sidesword & shield as well as quarterstaff, and offering monthly workshops in knife combat, umbrella self defense, archery, falconry, bartitsu and cavalieri, Academie Duello is also the only school in BC offering an FDC recognized Stage Combat Program and a world-renowned Knight Camp each spring and summer for children. Academie Duello is an unrivaled experience for anyone wanting to dabble in the fascinating world of knightly virtue. 

In addition to practice space, Academie Duello also boasts a newly launched Arms and Armor museum and a fully stocked store carrying a wide variety of swords, gear and swordy paraphernalia, as well as a quickly growing library that is sure to impress. For passer-bys and travelers, the first class is always free and anyone can enroll in the nightly courses, register for workshops, book private lessons with any of our highly trained instructors or attend any of our top-notch events.