Intensives/courses in Southern California

[zeejet]

I'm a beginner in San Diego, and although I'm enrolled in a beginner course through my club (3 half-day sessions, once a month), I am seeking more guidance and skill development throughout the year and down the line.

There are plenty of great intensives offered by pros in the Bay Area (Boon, Shrader, Tea, etc.) , but I'm having a hard time identifying similar opportunities here in SoCal. There are BYOT and single sessions available through House of Bonsai and Kimura Bonsai in the LA area but no true intensives (2 or more full days of hands-on instruction).

Does anyone know of additional resources of hands-on education in SoCal?

 

[ZombieNick]

I take classes at Jidai (site is dead sorry) with sensei David Nguy. We meet weekly, unless his schedule does not permit it. His classes are small and private, and currently consist of Chino Bonsai Club members (either they came from the club or joined the club after taking lessons). We do seasonal work on different species. He typically prefers we work on his trees so we can focus on technique and skills building rather than worrying about leaving with a finished tree. He also has a huge collection of truly specimen trees that we would probably never get the opportunity to work on otherwise. This week we are splitting a massive multi trunk California Juniper, we are hoping to end with six trees from the one. He does do bring your own tree classes once a month or so. I do not know if he is accepting new students. I know it's a bit of a drive, but if you are interested, the best bet is to come out to our next club meeting and talk to him.

 

[Ruddigger]

I take classes at Jidai (site is dead sorry) with sensei David Nguy. We meet weekly, unless his schedule does not permit it. His classes are small and private, and currently consist of Chino Bonsai Club members (either they came from the club or joined the club after taking lessons). We do seasonal work on different species. He typically prefers we work on his trees so we can focus on technique and skills building rather than worrying about leaving with a finished tree. He also has a huge collection of truly specimen trees that we would probably never get the opportunity to work on otherwise. This week we are splitting a massive multi trunk California Juniper, we are hoping to end with six trees from the one. He does do bring your own tree classes once a month or so. I do not know if he is accepting new students. I know it's a bit of a drive, but if you are interested, the best bet is to come out to our next club meeting and talk to him.

He’s not.

 

[ZombieNick]

Bummer.

 

[pandacular]

I don't know of a pro in your area, so I can't help you there, but I do applaud you for diving into the deep end and going for intensives early. I'm trying to do the same, as I realized that the "local" pros are actually charging more per hour than the top tier of pros in my region. For the most part, a teaching pro at a bonsai nursery is a great start, but from there, I think you can learn just as much, or more, from mentors within the club.

Intensives do seem to be the path to taking it to the next level--looking forward to mine this year!

 

[Scriv]

He’s not.

can confirm...

 

[pandacular]

It seems that Julian Tsai teaches intensives in San Diego. He is based in LA.

Events from May 18 - December 9

justbonsai.com

 

[ZombieNick]

can confirm...

Should have done my homework before posting

 

[zeejet]

Thanks for all the tips so far! It seems that Julian Tsai teaches intensives in San Diego. He is based in LA.

Events from May 18 - December 9

justbonsai.com

A bummer David isn't taking new students, but I did reach out to Julian and awaiting a response. He is actually giving a demo at the next club meeting so I can talk to him then as well hopefully. His website does mention that the current year's intensives are all booked and that there is a waitlist for the next cohort.

 

[pandacular]

Thanks for all the tips so far! It seems that Julian Tsai teaches intensives in San Diego. He is based in LA.

A bummer David isn't taking new students, but I did reach out to Julian and awaiting a response. He is actually giving a demo at the next club meeting so I can talk to him then as well hopefully. His website does mention that the current year's intensives are all booked and that there is a waitlist for the next cohort.

Definitely a great idea to get to know a pro personally and figure out if you would vibe with them. It's possible he could also recommend other pros in the area to learn from, and getting on the waitlist is great.

I find it very exciting to see how many young pros there are starting their careers, and how many of them seem to be quite successful!