HEAD TEACHER at GOLD SUMMIT MARTIAL ARTS INSTITUTE 武慧莲
The Chinese term "Laoshi"
"Laoshi" is the respected title for Teacher in China. Though Laoshi Markle is often referred to as "Shifu" or "Shifu Markle", she chooses to use the title of Laoshi at this time. Shifu is usually used by students and other people when referring to a traditional Master who cares and guides their students through many aspects of their lives, teaching the depth of Martial Arts beyond the world of fighting. Though Laoshi Markle falls into this category, guiding her students through all sorts of trying times in their lives, she says that Laoshi is also a professional title that encompasses all of what she does. She says at some point she may accept the use of Shifu.
President of GSODEC
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Laoshi Markle founded the non profit, Gold Summit Organization for Development of Eastern Culture (GSODEC) in 2009. She decided to create a non profit that could preserve the traditional teachings of Chinese Arts, philosophy and culture. Since then, GSODEC has successfully developed partnerships ,events and programs both in Buffalo Niagara and China.
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Director of Buffalo China Sister City Affairs
In 2011, Laoshi Markle became the Director of the Buffalo China Sister City Affairs. The City of Buffalo awarded Laoshi Markle the opportunity to represent Buffalo in their Sister City Affairs with Changzhou, China. On behalf of City of Buffalo, she took her second trip to China in 2011 to officially sign the Sister City agreement in Changzhou during a 3 day forum and ceremony. Mayors and Vice Mayors from more than 15 different countries were in attendance. She received an award as recognition for being an "Ambassador to Changzhou China and her International Sister Cities."
Hosting delegations from China each year, Laoshi Markle acts as liaison to City government, local businesses and educators. In addition, she always brings them to Gold Summit to experience the way in which traditional Chinese Martial Arts and philosophy are passed on to the people in the region.
Though hard work, the relationships and friendships developed from these exchanges have afforded many opportunities. From teaching Kung fu in China, to touring, to meeting tea plantation owners, each year Laoshi Markle is invited to China for events, training and different experiences. She is working hard to establish a larger Chinese Arts Institute and Cultural Center here in Buffalo, as well as a small school in China. She travels each and every year to China for work, study and travel.
Hosting delegations from China each year, Laoshi Markle acts as liaison to City government, local businesses and educators. In addition, she always brings them to Gold Summit to experience the way in which traditional Chinese Martial Arts and philosophy are passed on to the people in the region.
Though hard work, the relationships and friendships developed from these exchanges have afforded many opportunities. From teaching Kung fu in China, to touring, to meeting tea plantation owners, each year Laoshi Markle is invited to China for events, training and different experiences. She is working hard to establish a larger Chinese Arts Institute and Cultural Center here in Buffalo, as well as a small school in China. She travels each and every year to China for work, study and travel.