Center Directors
Nancy Lucero
I have one daughter, three grandchildren and two little kids named Chi-Chen and Bella.
My vocational background is in Human Resources, Marketing/Sales, Trade shows, Event Planning and Administration.
I started my tai chi journey in 1996 with Master Shuo Chen initially learning the Yang Style Simplied 24 Form, 32 Simplied Sword, 103 Movement Tai Chi Form and Push Hands.
After his passing, I began studying with Master Yang Jun at his Seattle International District location in 2000 learning the Traditional Yang Family Forms – Hand, Saber, Sword, Staff and Push Hands.
When the Redmond school opened, late 2001, I was appointed Office Manager by Master Yang and Fang Laoshi. Soon thereafter, I became Master Yang’s Assistant in his International Yang Family Tai Chi Chuan Association. In 2012, I became School Manager where I continued to organize the Redmond School’s seminars, open houses, ranking events and practices, demonstration teams and performances, anniversary celebrations and social events.
In 2016, Mike and I partnered with Master Yang and Fang Laoshi in running the Redmond Center. When Master Yang retired from the Center in 2018, we assumed the roles of Directors and currently run the Redmond Center.
When the Covid Pandemic hit in March 2020, I started teaching all of our classes on the Zoom platform. I am happy that our Center and highly trained instructors are reaching students from around the world via our Zoom classes.
I feel extremely fortunate to have Master Yang and Fang Laoshi as my guiding lights through my exploration and understanding of their family’s art form.
Nancy is an Academy Instructor of the Association.
Email: nancy@yangfamilytaichi.com
Mike Lucero
Mike started learning tai chi in 1996 at a class taught at Microsoft by Master Shuo Y Chen, learning the 24, 32 sword, and 103 forms and starting push hands. In 2000, he and Nancy started to teach tai chi at Microsoft and senior centers, and near the end of 2000 joined the YCF Center to learn push hands, the 67 sword form and 13 saber forms.
In 2008, we became certified instructors of the Association. And, in 2016, we started running the center.
In 2020, we shut down our physical location in Redmond and moved on to the InterTubes to provide our classes to the world.
Mike is a Certified Instructor of the Association.
Email: mikelucero@yangfamilytaichi.com
YFTCCA Associate Instructors
Rita Tan
I had long been interested in Tai Chi when I was living in Chicago and had taken classes intermittently as my schedule permitted.
After retiring to Bellevue I discovered the Yang Cheng Fu Tai Chi Center and began study of the Traditional Long Form in 2011 with Fang Laoshi after attending her Tai Chi Basics class. I have furthered my understanding of Tai Chi Chuan by attending several symposia with Master Yang Jun as well as his refinement classes. Learning from various other teachers at the school, especially Nancy and Mike Lucero, has broadened my perspective. The skills acquired in the hand form are enhanced by the addition of push hands, sword and saber. . In 2020 I was certified as an associate instructor by the Yang Family Tai Chi Association.
Teaching has allowed me to share my love of Tai Chi and think more deeply about various aspects of the form. Helping students learn the form I see it anew and find great satisfaction in the cycle of teaching and learning.
JP DeVries
JP started learning taijiquan from Mike and Nancy Lucero in 1999. He began studying with Master Yang Jun when the Redmond YCF Center opened in 2000. He returned to taijiquan after a break in the 2010s. Pierre was trained as a physicist, and dropped out of art school. He’s worked in venture capital, software management, and technology policy.
Cheryl Cliney
Cheryl has 19 years of experience in Tai Chi, Yoga, and Qigong. She began her training in 2005 in Philadelphia, PA exploring disciplines in Kung fu, Tai Chi, Baguazhang, and Yoga. By 2007 she earned her first teaching certificates in Yin Yoga and Yang style Tai Chi kickstarting her teaching career. Cheryl has conducted classes from the east to west coast of the U.S. and has brought her expertise to a global audience, teaching enthusiasts around the world through Zoom. Additionally, she has extended her reach by sharing instructional videos on YouTube, making the practices of Yoga, Tai Chi, and Qigong accessible to everyone, everywhere.
In 2006, Cheryl started training with Master Yang Jun. Recognizing the authenticity, Cheryl focused on training directly with the Yang family. Cheryl has attended multiple seminars with Master Yang, including hosting one at her dojo. She is proud to be a certified instructor holding rank with the International Yang Family Tai Chi Chuan Association.
In 2008, Cheryl managed a studio in Philadelphia specializing in traditional Yoga styles like Ashtanga, Vinyasa, and Iyengar Yoga. This experience enhanced her teaching methods, emphasizing proper alignment and breathwork. As a registered Yoga Alliance instructor, Cheryl holds certifications in Yin, Vinyasa, and Ashtanga-inspired Yoga (Rocket Yoga).
Whether you are a beginner or an advanced student Cheryl’s classes cater to all levels, offering a diverse range of options for a fulfilling experience. Cheryl’s expertise extends beyond traditional practices, as she emphasizes the healing potential of proper alignment in the body. With a keen focus on addressing chronic pain, Cheryl’s classes provide not only a path to physical well-being but also a holistic approach to healing through mindful movement and alignment principles.
When Cheryl’s not surfing and catching waves, She can be found in the kitchen whipping up a batch of Risotto for her toddler. Cheryl loves to create beautiful things and enjoys diving into sewing and upholstery projects but she can also be found curled up with a good book, and some yarn for a knitting or crocheting project. No matter what she is doing she pours her heart into it, exploring the details and always trying to learn more and improve her techniques.
Teachers
DD Hilke
DD Hilke has been a student of martial arts since the mid-eighties, avidly pursuing Judo on the East coast from 1982 to 1998, branching out to try both aikido and aiki jujitsu while working their way west, and finally discovering Tai Chi when they moved to the Seattle area in 2009. DD began their studies at Yang Chengfu Tai Chi Center in the fall of 2010 at the suggestion of their then teacher Martin Melish.
DD has had the privilege of studying with nearly all of the teachers at the Yang Chengfu Tai Chi Center, learning the form initially from Fang Laoshi and Stefanie Russell. Over the last several years, under the primary tutelage of Nancy Lucero, Mike Lucero, and seminars with Master Yang Jun, DD has had the opportunity to pursue training in the art of teaching Tai Chi, as well as hand forms, weapons, and push hands. In 2017, DD achieved a Gold Eagle rank from the International Yang Family Tai chi Chuan Association. In 2018, they were added to the Judges Registry for the Association. In 2020, they were awarded 2nd and 3rd place respectively for the Yang Family International Junzheng Online Cup and the China Junzheng Cup for their Essential form performances.
DD began teaching Tai Chi in January of 2017 in Woodinville Washington, and joined the teaching staff at Yang Chengfu Tai Chi Center in the late fall of 2017. They have been teaching with the school ever since.
DD enjoys questions more than answers, movement more than stillness, and being wholeheartedly and joyously involved in life. When not doing Tai Chi, you might find DD enjoying life with their husband and grandchildren, or finding a way to help protect our planet or to stand with those who are disadvantaged.
Kelly Hong-Williams
Kelly started her Tai Chi journey in 2011 and joined the Yang Chengfu Tai Chi Center Seattle/Redmond in 2014. She passionately believes in the healing powers of mindfulness and connection, and loves practicing with others. She is very fond of her Tai Chi family and is excited about its continuous expansion!
Previous Center Directors/Our Teachers
Master Yang Jun
6 th Generation direct descendant of the founder of Yang Style Tai Chi, Yang Lu Chan. He has been trained by his grandfather,
Master Yang Zhen Duo, since age 5 to carry-on the Yang Family traditions. He is certified as the highest level judge in China and served as head judge for the 1998 National
Tai Chi Competition in China.
In 1995 he was given the title of “Shanxi Province Famous WuShu Master” by the Chinese WuShu Academy. Yang Jun taught seminars overseas with his grandfather for ten years.
He moved to Seattle from China in August 1999 with his wife Fang Hong, to teach and serve as President of the Association.
Email: info@yangfamilytaichi.com
Fang Hong (Mrs. Yang Jun)
When Fang Hong started her Tai Chi journey in 1987, she was fortunate to have Grandmaster Yang Zhenduo as her first teacher. She continues learning from her husband, Master Yang Jun. In 1999, she joined Master Yang Jun in teaching Tai Chi in the Seattle area. In addition to being a Tai Chi instructor and a dedicated wife and mother, she also serves as Secretary to the International Yang Family Tai Chi Chuan Association.
Email: info@yangfamilytaichi.com
