NEW ENGLAND KUNG FU

Shifu Gary Lachapelle

Head Instructor / Owner

Shifu Gary started his training back in 1988. After studying various styles of both Karate and Kung Fu, he began his focus on studying Northern Long fist Kung Fu and Yang Style Tai Chi in 2000. In 2003 he became one of the key instructors of the Worcester school location of Maury’s Kung Fu Academy, then becoming the Chief Instructor in 2005. In 2006 after hard work and dedication, he earned the title of Shifu, and in 2017 was awarded his 4th level Black Sash. Approaching 35 years of experience in martial arts, Shifu Gary has chosen to further his Chinese Martial Arts education and was invited by Shifu Gregg Zilb of Authentic Shaolin Kung Fu of Holtsville, NY. to become a Yup Sut Dai Gee. Shifu Gary is the Chief Instructor/Owner of New England Kung Fu & Tai Chi, a branch location of Authentic Shaolin Kung Fu in Worcester County ,Massachusetts. Sifu Gary has been: ❖ Teacher of Hua Quan Kung Fu almost 20 years ❖ Teacher of Tai Chi over 15 years and hosting the yearly public World Tai Chi & Qi Gong Day event in Worcester since 2008, receiving proclamations in 2012 from Worcester Mayor Joe Petty and Governor Deval Patrick. Shifu Gary is a strong supporter of martial arts awareness lending his support volunteering and judging at several tournaments, instruction, demonstration and Lion Dance at local public schools / after school programs and universities. Shifu Gary also has been and still instructing senior citizens in Tai Chi at several area Council-On-Aging Centers since 2014.

Shifu Cheyenne Lachapelle

Instructor

Shifu Cheyenne began her Kung Fu training just 2 months short of her 4th Birthday after watching and imitating her father during his training. After several years of consistent training on an average of 5 days a week, she became the school’s youngest and first Junior Black Sash at the tender age of 12. In 2022 she was awarded her 3rd level Black Sash and the title of Shifu. Currently in 2023, was invited and humbly accepted to become a Yup Sut Dai Gee under Shifu Gregg Zilb of Authentic Shaolin Kung Fu located in Holtsville, NY. Followed by a Discipleship with her own Father, Shifu Gary Lachapelle in 2024. Shifu Cheyenne was a recipient of the Clark U ‘Traina’ scholarship earning a Master of Art In Teaching degree (2020) after earning her B.A. in Biology (2019) both from Clark University in Worcester, Ma. She is currently teaching at South High School in Worcester and is currently a member of the Clark University Science Curriculum Team. And though she is very busy she is still instructing and training alongside her father, Shifu Gary Lachapelle as well as furthering her training with Shifu Gregg Zilb of Authentic Shaolin Kung Fu. Sifu Cheyenne is also an avid Martial Arts Competitor with accomplishments including but not limited to: • First tournament at the age of 5 – Worcester Classics • Age of 7 Childrens Intermediate Grand Champion – Worcester Classics • Age of 8 taking home 4 Gold medals at the West Hartford International Chinese Martial Arts tournament • 2011 ICMAC – Boston – Advanced Teen Girls Grand Champion • 2014 ICMAC – Boston – Advanced Teen Girls Grand Champion • 2015 ICMAC – Boston – Advanced Women’s Grand Champion • 2016 ICMAC – Boston – Advanced Women’s Grand Champion • 2017 ICMAC – Boston – Advanced Women’s Grand Champion • 2019 ICMAC – Boston – Advanced Women’s Grand Champion • 49 + Tournaments and an abundance of medals & trophies, still competing today! • A Recipient of the Helen Gee Chin Scholarship in memory of Simo Helen Gee Chin, wife of Sifu Calvin Chin • Member of the Association of Woman Martial Arts Instructors

Shifu Gregg Zilb

Master

Shifu Gary & Shifu Cheyenne train with Sigung Gregg. Sigung Gregg is the Owner and Operator of Authentic Shaolin Kung Fu. Shifu Gregg been training for 39 years in Shaolin Kung Fu martial arts, intense training in 18 classical Chinese weapons as well as fighting full contact and full applications with weaponry. Shifu Gregg has fought all around the world putting his style to the test, in such places as Thailand, Philippines, China, Puerto Rico, Canada and all over the United States. He was also in several small movie rolls such as West side willy in “Blood of A Champion”, “The Empty Hand” and the off Broadway play that spanned 32 venues ‘ Once upon a time in Chinese America 1999’. His philosophy on teaching students is keeping to the old traditional ways of teaching Kung Fu. No matter the skill level, the classes should remain challenging for all students. Family, togetherness, loyalty and dedication are the key factors in to building a traditional school. Here at the Authentic Shaolin Kung Fu School, Shifu Gregg keeps a family oriented environment but maintains the hardcore martial arts environment and ethics.

Shifu Eliot Prisby

Metrowest Kung Fu - Owner

Impressed by the depth of skill knowledge, and sincerity of Shifu Gary LaChapelle, Shifu Eliot became a student in August 2009, studying Northern Long Fist Kung Fu. He also began studying Tai Chi under Sifu Gary and Sifu Karim-Ben Saunders, a student of Dr. Shou Yu Liang. After many years of growth, he received his black sash in Kung Fu on July 7th 2013. Shifu Eliot moved to Maynard Massachusetts with his wife in October 2014. He felt ready to pursue his lifelong dream of opening a martial arts school, and began searching for places to teach Kung Fu and Tai Chi. He had little luck until nearly a year later, he happened upon a taekwondo school for sale, acquired it and reopened it as Metrowest Kung Fu on January 2nd 2016. Shifu Eliot received his black sash in Tai Chi and his first degree black sash in Kung Fu August 17th 2019. He received his second degree black sash in Kung Fu on October 14th 2022. He was promoted to Shifu on August 3rd 2024, and became Sifu Gary's disciple "Yup Sut Dai Gee" on August 10th, 2024. Shifu Eliot continues to train with Shifu Gary.