MATT BIONDO

Matt Biondo is a co-founder of Niagara Historical fencing and the main instructor for Broadsword and Sabre. He has an extensive background in martial arts and has been fencing competitively for 7+ years. Matt has been training martial arts since 2006 which include Taekwondo, Wing Chun, and Muay Thai. His HEMA training includes Italian and German Longsword, Dagger, Grappling, Broadsword, Sabre, and Smallsword. He is also in the process of studying Rapier and Sidesword. Matt also cross trains in Olympic Fencing focusing mainly on Epee. Matt has competed and won gold medals in a variety of tournaments across various disciplines and has been an instructor through various periods in his martial arts career.

JOHN MACPHAIL

John MacPhail is a Co-Founder of Niagara Historical Fencing and the main instructor for the Longsword, primarily teaching German Longsword, while also referencing some Italian Longsword when fitting. Starting early in life at the age of 4 John enrolled in Karate. He trained in both Wado-Ryu and Shotokan Karate for 13 consecutive years. He earned his first degree black belt at the age of 13 and his second degree black belt at the age of 16, making him one of the youngest black belt recipients within his club. John eventually brought his martial arts training and mentality many years later to his HEMA studies. Starting in 2016 John began learning Fiore’s longsword, dagger and grappling techniques. He then dove into German Longsword a few years later, hoping to learn as much as possible about the longsword systems in order to push himself to be the best fencer that he could be, both physically and mentally. Today, as an instructor within the study of Historical European Martial Arts, he utilizes his vast experience to create a solid foundation for all students to learn from in hopes to better themselves; As both martial artists and as individuals.

JASON TANG

Jason is an assistant instructor for Niagara Historical Fencing assisting in teaching both Longsword and Sabre/Broadsword. He has been fencing alongside Matt and John since before the creation of the club. He has an extensive background in both martial arts and sports. This includes obtaining a black belt in Goju-Ryu Karate Do, fencing modern Olympic Sabre on the Brock University varsity team, playing various racket and team sports, and competitive dance. Jason has been fencing for over a decade but he knows there is still plenty to learn. He likes helping everyone feel welcome at NHF and reminding them that if someone puts in the effort, they WILL improve! Also, he believes that every micro improvement for an individual helps the club get better as a whole. Jason’s primary weapon is the Longsword but he has plenty of experience with a wide variety of other weapons such as Sabre, Epee, Rapier, Quaterstaff, Naginata, and many more.