Wait… your lessons are free? It’s true, I do not charge for lessons. I love to play mahjong and teaching mahjong to new players is a passion for me.
I have taught mahjong to new players from everywhere from Chicago to Colorado, from Nashville to New York, and from Miami to Portland. I have even taught my Italian friends visiting from Milan last year. It brings me sincere joy to share something I love so much with so many people… and to see them turn around and share it with others!
When the goal is to spend time with friends, share my hobby with them and meet new people along the way, I knew teaching mahjong would never be a business for me. My mahjong lessons should be free and I still enjoy a hobby that I really, really love.
Moving to a new city in August of 2024, I set out to meet new friends that were outside my husband and my kids. Nashville has a growing mahjong scene, and as a mahjong enthusiast, I was excited to meet new friends over a game of tiles. Friends of Monroe Carell Jr Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt was launching a new fundraiser in Nashville, so I stepped in and offered my time and talent.
I already knew how to play and I had taught friends, but I really wanted to step into the role of mahjong instructor. I became a Mahji Mentor, which is an instructor certification through Oh My Mahjong.
The program didn’t teach me how to play, but rather how to teach.
I was hooked. As someone who is a natural connector, I knew I had unlocked a way to make friends, raise some money for charity and find my footing in Nashville.
As part of the fundraiser, the hospital books mahjong parties and sends me to teach, host guided play or just bring the materials like tiles and cards. I am so moved by how many people are so generous, that I absolutely give every lesson 100 percent. My cup is always full teaching new players for this fundraiser, officially called Mahjong with Friends.
On select Tuesday nights and on some weekdays, I will teach small groups my informal lessons. In fact, this is my favorite way to teach! I have lots of people contacting me about lessons, and if they don’t have a group big enough for a fundraiser, I will match them with other players that want to learn mahjong too.
I find that the people who really are committed to learning and are open to making new friends are my favorite students. If this is you, please reach out!
I have now expanded my free informal lessons beyond Nashville to Chicago and Lake Geneva, and any of the destinations I travel to. The lessons are always free, but I have select charities I recommend if a student wants to pay it forward.
Mahjong has a strong philanthropic history. In the 1920s, women shared their time and talents teaching mahjong to others for charities they supported. Aside from learning the new game, they built new friendships and raised money for causes they cared about. Â A century later, I find myself teaching mahjong for the exact same reasons. I am a philanthropist, a teacher, a connector and a mahjong enthusiast.
