Meet Our Instructors & Coaches

Enrichment
 
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Fritz Chang

Fencing Instructor

Fritz first began teaching fencing after hours at Hill House in 2003 while he was working full-time in downtown Boston. He was an assistant fencing coach at Wellesley College from 2013 through 2017. Earlier, he taught fencing classes for several years at Northern Essex Community College in Haverhill, MA.

After he retired a few years ago, he founded his own fencing club in Burlington, MA, NEMA Fencing Center where he is the Director of Fencing and gives fencing instructions in foil, epee, and saber to children and adults. Fritz is a current coach member of USA Fencing.

He first took up Fencing in a physical education course while he was attending Queens College in New York. He stil competes in local and national tournaments and when possible, international tournaments.

In 2009, he competed in the World Veterans Fencing Championships in Moscow, Russia where he won the Bronze Medal in Foil.

Fritz loves working at Hill House because he believes that teaching fencing to young children is an interesting and relaxing contrast to teaching academic subjects like math and science.

When not working, Fritz loves traveling to foreign countries.

Favorite quote: "Practice makes perfect."

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David Dybiec

Art Instructor

David has worked as an art educator for nearly 20 years, with a focus on elementary schools and early childhood education. His own practice focuses on photography, drawing, and painting.

David is amazed at the strong sense of community at Hill House. This goes from the highly supportive staff to his collaborative coworkers and the caring and engaged families he works with.

If he had it his way, David would spend all of his time traveling. In the meantime, he tries to see where the next book, bike path, or pen on the blank page will take him

Favorite quote: "All children are artists. The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up." -Picasso

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Noah Lucia

Karate Instructor

Noah has been studying martial arts for over 35 years under the watchful eye of his father, Sensei Duane Lucia, who opened their karate school in 1979 and has also taught here at Hill House for decades. After graduating from college in 2008, Noah went on to Japan to teach English for a brief period before returning and assuming the role of owner and lead sensei of his family's karate school, Boston Budo. He's also now carrying on the family tradition by teaching his two young daughters karate.

As a mainstay in the community for many years, Boston Budo has introduced thousands of local families to their brand of traditional Uechi Ryu Karate, a system of self-defense that develops total body awareness, control, and confidence. Classes focus on thoughtful movement, stances, balance, blocks, kata, strikes, and other techniques as well as having a fun cultural experience.

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Olivia Wendel

Music Instructor

Originally from the Boston area, Olivia is back after spending the past nine years in New York City. After graduating from NYU with a degree in music and arts administration, she has been writing, performing, and teaching music lessons to kids! For the past four years, Olivia has worked as a private music instructor teaching piano, guitar, ukulele, voice, and songwriting to kids of all ages and skill levels.

As an artist, Olivia is working on her second album after releasing her debut album titled Windthrow under Woolly Music and signing wiht Daytripper Music Publishing. Olivia's passion for the arts has always been rooted in education and she's so excited to bring her experience to Hill House to create an exciting, fun, and energetic music program! She can't wait to get to know the incredible community at Hill House and bring some awesome music to the Firehouse!

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Anju Madhok

Music Instructor

Anju is a singer, songwriter, producer, performer, and multi-instrumentalist. She plays piano, guitar, ukulele, viola, and violin. Anju has played in orchestras, string quartets, and served as musical director for their a capella group in college. Anju was highlighted by NPR’s All Songs Considered as an outstanding Tiny Desk Contest entrant. Anju was commissioned by South Asian American Digital Archive to create original music for a sound tour of immigrant history in Philadelphia. She is currently working on her debut full-length album. Anju sees music as a place to build an expressive relationship with self and community, and they are honored and excited to work with young musicians at Hill House.

 

 


 

Steve Wollkind

Chess Instructor

Steve joined Hill House in 2022, driven by his lifelong passion for chess. He discovered the game in 4th grade, quickly falling in love with it. Since 2005, Steve has been a tournament chess player.

Steve's true passion lies in sharing his love of chess and teaching it to people of all ages. He believes in the game's power to enhance critical thinking, decision-making, and self-discovery. Chess, to him, is not just a game but a lifelong journey where one develops a deep relationship with logical thinking, patience, and self-awareness.

At Hill House, Steve is eager to share his love of the game and help new and improving players discover its unique charm and beauty.

Athletics
 
 caroline aspinwall

Caroline Aspinwall

Gymnastics Coach

Caroline joined the Hill House team in March of 2022. Growing up having spent many hours each week in the gym as a gymnast, her passion for the sport runs deep. She loves getting to know Hill House families and helping children of all ages learn, grow, and gain confidence through the sport of gymnastics! Caroline studies exercise science with a minor in psychology at Simmons University in Boston and is set to graduate in the spring of 2024. After graduation, she looks forward to continuing her work in youth athletics.

Favorite quote: "You never fail until you stop trying." - Albert Einstein

 andrew fremont smith

Andrew Fremont-Smith

Athletics Associate

Growing up on the north shore of Massachusetts, Andrew played a multitude of different sports and discovered his passion for athletics at a very early age. From third grade on, he participated in travel football, basketball, baseball, and tennis leagues. After grade school, Andrew was able to apply these skills for Ipswich High School where he quickly became the captain of his varsity basketball and tennis teams in his later years before beginning his studies at St. John's University in New York.

While attending college, Andrew began coaching at a local tennis club in Newburyport, igniting his love for both kids and teaching while studying sports management for his degree. He soon came to realize that coaching was going to be in his future and upon his graduation in 2021, made the switch to Hill House in the following year. As a coach, Andrew prides himself on instilling good principles in his students and, of course, having fun!

 patrick salisbury

Patrick Salisbury

Tennis Coach

Patrick has coached various sports including tennis, swimming, and skiing over the past decade with a particular focus in tennis for the last three years. He's played tennis since he was old enough to hold a racket and loves sharing his passion for the game with both new and experienced players. Tennis has provided Patrick with countless hours of fun. To him, it's always a joy to introduce the sport to beginners as well as honing the skills of those who already know how to play.

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Jordan Robertson

Athletics Coach

While attending college at Lasell University here in Massachusetts, Jordan started coaching during the summer to help the next generation learn how to play soccer. When he realized that he liked coaching, he knew he wanted to study sports management for his degree. He graduated in 2021 and completed his master’s with a concentration in athletic administration in 2022. When he found Hill House, he knew that he loved coaching and wanted to instill having fun while learning how to play sports.

 

Justin Hagins Photo

Justin Hagins

Athletics Associate 

Justin started off recreational work with Saddleback Valley Unified School District in Southern California. After working there refereeing basketball and coaching youth sports for four years he began pursuing a bachelor's degree at the University of Kentucky. He received his degree in Finance and Management and decided to go to Northeastern University where he is  currently pursuing his sports leadership degree. Justin plans on attending law school for a sports law degree to accomplish his goal of becoming a professional sports agent. Justin has worked in recreational sports for about 7 years and loves coaching basketball and football!