Chinese Culture Camp Staff

Most of our talented staff comes year after year. Here's a sampling of staffers that have come in the past.

Cai Xi Silver - Painter, t'ai chi master, art instructor, and language instructor, Cai has been giving Chinese cultural performances for more than ten years. She is a graduate from Shanghai Drama Institute. Cai has been awarded a Fellowship and residency at Vermont Studio Center for July 2009. She says: "Everyone is born an artist. Art is everywhere. Learning through art, we achieve and enrich our lives."

At Chinese Culture Camp, Cai has taught Tai Chi sword dancing, Tai Chi, brush painting, Chinese character illustration, Chinese morning exercises, dance, Chinese songs, and much more. She also helps us decorate our "pearls" that the 40 foot dragon chases! Cai's daughter Leah often joins her mom at Camp and assists her in activities.

Duo Xi - Duo is Cai Silver's sister and has taught authentic dim sum cooking at Chinese Culture Camp in the past. She has also offered a tea ceremony to go with dim sum on the final morning of the program.

Gerry Gatz - Gerry joins us from the Asian Society Outreach program at the University of Vermont. In the past he's offered  “create your own dragon” art activities. One of these was a simple, yet beautiful dragon puppet designed designed to be a success for the younger artist yet fulfilling for older creators as well. Made from oak tag and Popsicle sticks, it’s all in the decoration.

Gerry Gatz is the Curriculum Coordinator for UVM’s Asian Studies Outreach Program and is the Director of their Institute in Thailand as well. Gerry taught art for many years and presents workshops for teachers, students, and anyone else interested in the arts of Asia.

Heather Ni - Heather is a longtime member of our community who attends Camp Common Ground with her family. She enchants kids and adults with cooking and kids' activities. She has experience teaching Chinese culture at a camp in Maine each summer as well. 

Joe Ng - Joe joins us with his entertaining presentation "Chinese Culture for Dummies." You don't want to miss it!

Kim Dunkley – After a long history in outdoor ed/rec with many ages, Kim has settled down as a pre-school educator in Morrisville, VT. She still makes time for the important stuff like traveling, skiing and standing on her head. At Chinese Culture Camp she shares some of her silliness kiddos in Kidville. Join her for Ribbon Dancing, tumbling, and more!

Rhoen Pruesse-Adams - Rhoen is a junior in college at NYU, who enjoys learning about economics and Mandarin. He loves meeting new people, making new friends, and eating vegetarian food. Rhoen joins us a Chinese Culture Camp as our resident Mah Jongg expert. Get ready to play!