The Ring of Steel -- Current Members

Congratulations for 200+!
Miriam Michaels
Martin O'Brien
Congratulations for 50+!
Andleeb Qureshi
Michael Lloyd
Congratulations for Certification!
Miriam Michaels for an "& Dagger" certification

Membership and Certification Levels

The field of study for the art of Theatrical Combat is fairly broad. In understanding of this fact, the Ring of Steel uses several methods to recognize and mark the advancement of a student. The first method is based simply on how many practices they have attended and how many performances in which they have been a participant.

During the practices, each student is expected to show knowledge of related terminology, demonstration of technique, and performance of choreography associated with each of the Ring of Steel's weapon forms. Additionally, students learn techniques with auxiallary (secondary) items and skills that assist in the performance of a fight.

During the performances, each student is expected to demonstrate practical application of the techniques learned in rehersal. Additionally, performances outside of the Ring of Steel's facilities provide opportunities to learn information not normally presented during practice, as well as gain valuable experience that simply cannot be taught in a class environment.

Rank	Requirements
Rank	Attendence/Performance Credits	weapon form Certifications
Initiate	Less than 50	None
Apprentice	51-100	None
Scholar	101-200	Written Test
Advanced Scholar	201-350	Written Test 2 Performer
Senior Scholar	351-500	Written Test 2 Performer 2 Advisor
Mentor	More than 500	Written Test 3 Performer 2 Advisor 1 Instructor
Journeyman	More than 650 (Minimum two years of training)	Peer Review (by Invitation) 4 Performer 3 Advisor 2 Instructor 1 Choreographer

The levels of certification within a given weapon form represent what the Ring of Steel considers to be the significant landmarks within a student's path of learning. The Ring awards these levels based on our interpretation of what it means to be a safe and effective performer, as well as a student's ability to apply all aspects of technique, historical background, and theatricality in the setting of a fight.

Certification	Definition	Requirements
Performer (P)	Indicates the member is capable of safely performing choreography for the indicated weapon form.	Member learns choreography in the weapon form with a partner and sets the fight within a scene. The pair then performs the choreography within that scene in front of an audience. Performance of the scene is filmed and reviewed with the partners. If presentation of scene, techniques, and safety are deemed acceptable, member is awarded the Performer certification.
Advisor (A)	The first of two teaching certifications; indicates the member is capable of teaching choreography for the indicated weapon form.	Can only be received if the member is already a certified Performer in the indicated weapon form. Member chooses or is assigned a pair members who seek the Performer certification. (The member may serve as one of the performers.) Member works with the pair to teach them the choreography and helps to direct the chosen scene. If the mentored members receive their Performer certification, then the member is awarded the Advisor certification.
Instructor (I)	The second of two teaching certifications; indicates the member is capable of teaching choreography as well as proper form, technique, terminology, and intent for the indicated weapon form.	Can only be received if the member is already a certified Advisor in the indicated weapon form. Member receives instruction in teaching methods through specialized training. After learning what to teach, the member proceeds to teach newer members under supervision of certified Instructors. Once the students have successfully learned form, technique, etc. under the member's guidance, the member is then awarded the Instructor certification.
Choreographer (C)	Indicates the member is capable of creating safe and effective choreography for the indicated weapon form.	Can only be received if the member is already a certified Advisor in the indicated weapon form. Member chooses a pair of Performers certified in the designated weapon form. Member then creates a fight in that style, and teaches the choreography with a scene to the chosen Performers. If the Performers successfully present the scene (according to the requirements of the Performer certification), the member is then awarded the Choreographyer certification.

Current active membership and Officers

Active members must attend a minimum of 24 times per calender year.

Attendance credits are given for performances & non-combat related activites associated with the Ring in addition to normal class sessions. Some members have previous, but related, experience from other activities. Consequently, a small number of members (indicated by an "*") are given additional credits with respect to the number of attendances and certifications required to achieve a particular rank.

Attendance Last Updated Through...
Class Credits - 10/31/2006
Performance/Other Credits - 08/20/2006

Maestro

Christopher Barbeau

Journeymen
Award

Boice, Tom 09/15/1998	940
Senior Journeyman
Rapier	P, A, I
Broadsword	P, A
_____ & Dagger	P, A, C
_____ & Cloak	P
_____ & Shield	P

Lehman, Jacob 02/09/1999	543*
Founder/Director - Cornell University Chapter
Rapier	P, A, I, C
Broadsword	P
Hand-to-Hand	P, A, I
_____ & Dagger	P

Mentor

Senior Scholar
Award

Advanced Scholar
Award

Melcher, Dave 11/11/2001	607
Rapier	P
Broadsword	P, A
Quarterstaff	P
____ & Dagger	P
Mass Combat	P

Van Dam, Theo 09/17/2002	480
Rapier	P, A, C
Broadsword	P
Quarterstaff	P
Mass Combat	P

Scholar

Schafer, Wendy 03/07/1999	1248
Rapier	P, A

Abrams, Michelle 10/07/2001	280
Rapier	P
____ & Dagger	P

Byrne, Zach 01/20/2004	361

Michaels, Miriam 09/28/2004	210
____ & Dagger	P

Beckett, Robby 09/30/2004	149
Rapier	P

O'Brien, Martin 07/22/2004	202
Rapier	P

Apprentice

Hian Kai Kwa 01/22/2004	64

MacFarland, Heather 10/25/2005	135

Blugerman, Alex 06/10/2004	65

Hough, Michael 10/18/2005	67

Initiate

Martin, Brendan 08/04/2005	25

Hatch, Charlie 09/20/2005	39

Mims, Amanda 09/20/2005	42

Qureshi, Andleeb 09/20/2005	56

Lloyd, Michael 03/14/2006	62

Thomas, Esty 02/09/2006	46

Topping, Ben 07/12/2005	21

Blaschak, Megan 08/08/2006	2

Litman-Weinberg, Ari 06/15/2006	39

Ward, Phil 10/04/2005	25

Duvall, Laurai 09/21/2006	9

Jones, Tal 10/15/2006	3

Canty, Morgan 10/15/2006	3

-name- -start date-	-attendance-

Younglings

McMaughlin, Cameron 07/10/2006	16

Howe, Conor 07/10/2006	13

Garber, Victoria 07/10/2006	12

Sandvordenker, Bram 07/10/2006	12

Members-at-Large

Those who are not currently active in any of our chapters but continue to contribute or be actively affiliated with the organization

C., Brett 01/14/1996	214
Senior Scholar
High Falls	P, A, I
Stunts	P, A, I, C
SAFD A/C

Osmialowski, Elizabeth 09/16/2001	674
Senior Scholar
Rapier	P
Broadsword	P, A
Quarterstaff	P, A
____ & Dagger	P
____ & Shield	P
Mass Combat	P

Kolasinski, Keith 11/01/1998	460
Advanced Scholar
Rapier	P
Broadsword	P

Wessel-walker, Margaret 09/17/2002	275
Advanced Scholar
Rapier	P
Broadsword	P
Quarterstaff	P

Information pertaining to former members of the Ring of Steel may be obtained by contacting rosteel@umich.edu


For more information email the Ring of Steel at rosteel@umich.edu	Web space provided by Deathstar.org