Kathy Shaner: San Jose, CA Starting her career in Bonsai in 1983, Kathy Shaner has become Internationally known and Recognized for her excellence in the art of Bonsai. After becoming a member of ten Bonsai clubs and studying under several of CaliforniaÕs most respected Bonsai instructors, she was granted the opportunity to study in Toyohashi, Japan. There she worked for Yasuo Mitsuya, winner of Minister of Education and Kokufu Awards, among others. He realized that her drive and passion for Bonsai went far deeper than a simple hobbyist's desire and that she had a great talent. Mr. Mitsuya encouraged Kathy to complete the full 5-year apprenticeship, which she did in 1994. This was a double first for both Japan and Kathy Shaner. She was the first non-Japanese citizen and first woman to be certified by the Nippon Bonsai Kyodo Kumaii, the professional Bonsai growerÕs branch of the Nippon Bonsai Kyokai (Japan Bonsai Association). Since that time, KathyÕs career has taken off in many directions. Conducting seminars, and full-day workshops, lecturing on-site and working on private collections are some of KathyÕs many Bonsai activities. Students are taught the art and culture of Bonsai using her creative specialized methods. Her critiques are a highly regarded part of the program and have set a standard for other instructors. She is the curator of the Golden State Bonsai Collection-North at Lake Merritt in Oakland, Calif. Display of this collection opened in the fall of 1999.

Jerry Meislik: Whitefish, MT Jerry has been actively studying trees and how to grow them in containers and creating bonsai since 1977. Jerry has traveled to several foreign countries to study bonsai and design concepts. Jerry is considered an expert on tropical/indoor bonsai, and the use of native materials for bonsai. His recent book, Ficus: The Exotic Bonsai, is the ultimate resource for information on growing Ficus bonsai. Over the past ten years Jerry has had the opportunity to teach and lecture bonsai and is active in publishing articles on various bonsai topics. Jerry is available to lecture, teach and demonstrate bonsai by appointment.

Dan Robinson: Bremerton, WA Dan owns and operates Elandan Gardens in Bremerton, Washington. His seminars and workshops on carving and sculptural processes present a unique American perspective; emphasizing natural forms, rejecting prescribed rules that he feels restrict artistic expression. Robinson is credited with the development of a root enhancing technique now used by collectors around the world. He introduced power tools into the bonsai creation arena in 1978. His articulation on "The Aging Process" clarified the design implicit during ascending stages of age in trees. His treatise "Focal Point Bonsai Design", challenging the perpetuation of the "One-Two-Three-Triangle" design concept has been published in U.S., Italian, English and French Bonsai publications.

Mr. Tak Yamaura: Surrey, BC Canada Tak has 30 years of experience in the art and skill of bonsai. He graduated from the University of Agriculture in Tokyo Japan, in 1968. While attending university, Tak was fortunate to receive training from Mr. Toshio Kawamoto, bonsai master of Nippon Bonsai Saikei Institute. Arriving in Canada in 1970, Tak established "Japan Bonsai" in White Rock, BC. Tak has demonstrated incredible skill with Shimpaku Juniper and Tsukumo Cypress