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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.

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.

Maestro	Christopher Barbeau
Journeymen	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	Eyster, Athena 11/20/2001 2323 Rapier P, A, I, C Broadsword P, A, I, C Mass Battle P _____ & Dagger P, A, I, C _____& Shield P, A, I, C Quarterstaff P, A, I, C Two-handed broadsword P, A, I, C Smallsword P, A, I, C
Mentor
Senior Scholar
Advanced Scholar	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