Our Staff

Our Instructors & Staff Members

Our Instructors have spent many years devoted to training in the martial arts and have attained a certain level of expertise to qualify them as teachers and also mentors.

Through extensive testing, certification and tournament level competition, our staff has attained mastery in this martial art and now enjoy sharing their skill and passing it on to their students.

Here are a few of WUXIA MARTIAL ARTS CENTER's (YMAA Wuxia) instructors and other staff members, starting with :

Sifu Scott Tarbell  (School Owner) 
HEAD INSTRUCTOR for

Ving Tsun (Wing Chun) Kung Fu - [Master - 5th Level Instructor]

Yang Taijiquan (Tai Chi Chuan) - YMAA 3rd level Assistant Instructor 

Chin Na (Seize and Control) 

Modern Arnis (Filipino Stick and Knife) - [3rd Degree Blackbelt]

Brazilian Jiu Jitsu / Submission Wrestling (Grappling) - [BJJ Black Belt]

Sanda Kickboxing

Sifu Scott Tarbell, a resident of Amesbury, MA came to the Worcester, Massachusetts area as a young boy from Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Scott has studied a variety of martial arts throughout his life. He began his Karate training at the age of 8 with the Boy's club as well as boxing under the supervision of his father.

Scott had studied Shaolin Longfist & White Crane Kung Fu, and Yang Style Taijiquan since 2003 under Master Shifu Yang Jwing-Ming. Scott also studied in depth with YMAA President Nicholas C. Yang, and instructors Chris Fazzio, Paul Blake III, Jeffrey Pratt, and other various teachers of YMAA International. Scott had studied various topics while at YMAA such as Shaolin Kung Fu, Xing Yi, Praying Mantis, Qin Na, Tong Bei, Saber, Sword, Staff, Taiji Fighting Set and Applications, and various sets of Qigong.

Scott is a disciple of Master Shifu Yang Jwing-Ming and a certified Taijiquan, Chin Na, and Shaolin Kung Fu teacher for YMAA International for over 20 years providing him with an extensive background in Chinese martial theory.

Scott had earned a 3rd degree black belt in San Chai Na Shaolin Kempo Karate under 10th Dan Grandmaster Carrozi, and an advanced rank in Olympic Style Tae Kwan Do under 5th Dan Do Wun Kim the Ex-National Coach for the USA Olympic Tae Kwon Do Team. During his twenties Scott competed in various full contact and point fighting Karate and Taekwondo competitions.

Scott had studied Pien San Wing Chun, Modern Arnis, Small Circle Jujitsu and Kyusho Jitsu extensively under 4th Dan Sifu Alix Lavaud. Scott received his Lakan Isa (1st Degree Black Belt) in Modern Arnis under Sifu Alex in 2003 and was given the title of Wing Chun Sifu from his Master, Sifu Alix in 2004. 

In 2019 Scott earned his Lakan Tatlo (3rd degree Black Belt)  in Modern Arnis under his longtime mentor Grandmaster Brian Zawilinski, a Master of Tapi Tapi for the International Modern Arnis Federation, and an internationally recognized 8th degree Black Belt in TAWA Modern Arnis System.

In 2003 Scott switched over to the Leung Ting Wing Tsun Kung Fu system, after many years of prior training in Pien San Gu Lao Wing Chun. Scott was the first person in Massachusetts to ever to receive the rank and title of Primary Technician (Black Belt) within Wing Tsun under Grandmaster Leung Ting and Sifu Jeff Webb. Scott was also the first person to become a Second Degree Instructor in Ving Tsun within the New England area under his former Master, Sifu Jeff Webb the Founder and Chief Instructor of the National Ving Tsun Organization (NVTO). Scott Tarbell, a former direct disciple of Dai Sifu Master Jeff Webb since 2003, was promoted to the rank of 3rd degree instructor and received the title of "Si-Fu," making him the highest-ranked and most qualified NVTO Ving Tsun instructor on the East coast as of June 2nd, 2012. As of 2016 Si-Fu Scott had achieved the rank of 4th degree instructor of Ving Tsun.

In 2023 Sifu Scott left the NVTO and his former teacher Sifu Jeff Webb to formulate his own ideas on Ving Tsun Kung Fu.  Sifu Scott now integrates many concepts from a variety of martial arts into his Ving Tsun along with practical sparring in all ranges, effectively creating Wuxia Ving Tsun Kung Fu. In December of 2023 Sifu Scott was promoted to Master of Wuxia Ving Tsun Kung Fu (5th Level) by the Wuxia Martial Arts Council.

Scott joined Brazilian Top Team in 2005 to study Brazilian Jiu Jitsu under Black Belt Professor Daniel Gazoni. Scott was granted permission to teach No Gi Brazilian Jiu Jitsu in 2008 from his instructor Professor Daniel Gazoni. Scott currently continues his BJJ / Submission Wrestling training with Professor Brian Wade Caldwell (4th degree BJJ Black belt, Wrestling Coach, and multiple time Pan American Games Gold Medalist).  Scott is currently a Black Belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu / Submission Wrestling under Professor Brian Wade Caldwell.

Scott had trained in MMA, Muay Thai Kickboxing, and Boxing under Professional MMA fighter Ray Shawdee for many years, and privately under UFC Bantam Weight fighter Rob Font.

In total, Scott has over 40 years of training in multiple martial arts, traditional and sport combat, and has devoted more than 25 years to teaching various martial arts. Scott continues to apply and teach a practical approach to sparring where he integrates his sport combat experience and traditional martial arts concepts.

A graduate of Salem State College, Scott holds a B.S. in Psychology with a double minor in Sociology and Human Biology, along with a M.Ed in Special Education.

Scott spends his free time at studying Japanese Language, Culture, and History in Japan some summers, as well as researching fitness, martial arts philosophy and fighting strategy. Scott is also very dedicated to his church, his daily training of fitness / qigong / meditation, as well as spending time with his wonderful wife and children.

Scott is a Special Education Teacher at Haverhill High School where he has taught for nineteen years while specializing in English Literature and US History.


Favorite Quote: "We all have inner demons to fight; we call these demons Fear, Hatred, and Anger. If defeated, then a life of single day is a triumph; if not, then a life of a hundred years is a tragedy."

Sifu Thomas Butzen  (Ving Tsun Instructor)
Thomas Butzen is a 3rd degree Ving Tsun instructor and has been studying Ving Tsun for many years. Thomas also studies Modern Arnis and Chin Na. Thomas is a friendly and technical Instructor for our Ving Tsun Kung Fu program who is always ready to share his experience and skills with others, Thomas can be found generously sharing the art from a technical perspective and with a smile.

Sifu Winston Wong  (Ving Tsun Instructor)
Sifu Winston is a polite and courteous Ving Tsun Kung Fu Instructor for our Ving Tsun program. Winston has a wealth of knowledge and experience in Choy Li Fut, Shaolin, Ving Tsun, Modern Arnis, Taijiquan, Chin Na, Sanshou, and Submission Wrestling. Winston can be found helping others with a quick wit and a smile.

Sarah Zeigler  (Ving Tsun Assistant Instructor)
Sarah Zeigler proudly represents our school as an Assistant Instructor for Ving Tsun and Modern Arnis. Sarah has been training for many years at Wuxia and has experience in Ving Tsun, Shaolin Kung Fu, Sanshou, Taijiquan, Modern Arnis, Chin Na, and BJJ/Submission Wrestling. Always quick to help out, Sarah's dedication shines through on a daily basis.

Paul Kerstein  (Ving Tsun Assistant Instructor)
Paul is a fun loving and humble Assistant Instructor for our Ving Tsun program. Paul loves to work with beginners to help build strong foundations for the art. Paul holds a Black Belt in Shaolin Kempo Karate and has extensive experience in Ving Tsun, Modern Arnis, Chin Na, Taijiquan, and BJJ/Submission Wrestling. Paul can be found analyzing techniques and sharing his knowledge methodically with a smile.

Ian Dellea (No Gi Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu / Submission Wrestling Assistant Instructor)

Ian is a friendly and patient Assistant Instructor for our Submission Wrestling program. Ian loves to work with beginners to help build strong foundations for the art. Ian holds a Black Belt in Kempo Karate and a Purple Belt in Brazlian Jiu-Jitsu / Submission Wrestling, and has extensive experience in Ving Tsun, Modern Arnis, Chin Na, Shaolin Kung Fu, Taijiquan. Ian can be found on the mats always ready to share his experience and knowledge.

Grandmaster Brian Zawilinski
Grandmaster Brian Zawilinski is our Modern Arnis Technical Consultant who conducts seminars 2-3 times per year at Wuxia.

Personal student of Modern Arnis Grandmaster Remy Amador Presas the “Professor” from 1982 until he passed away on 8/28/01. There are less than a handful of people worldwide that started training with GM Presas in the early 1980’s and remain active to this day. Brian was awarded the title of "Master of Tapi Tapi" in October, 2000 and was granted worldwide ambassador status in Modern Arnis.
Personal student of Professor Lee Lowery (Kenpo Karate) for over 20 years starting in 1981.

Awarded the title of “Senior Professor” in Kenpo Karate by the New England Martial Arts Teachers Association (NEMATA).

Brian’s efforts and his system of TAWA were recently recognized as its own system by the elite World Head of Family Sokeship Council.

Master of Tapi Tapi – (“Tapi Tapi”- a phrase coined by GM Presas that means counter for counter) a title separate from and above rank, awarded by GM Presas only to those individuals having achieved the highest level of proficiency in Modern Arnis. There are only 7 people worldwide that have received this title from GM Remy Amador Presas.
In addition to his training under his primary Instructors, for over a quarter century, Brian has continuously expanded his studies by attending seminars taught by Grandmaster Wally Jay (Small Circle Jujitsu), Grandmaster Ed Parker (American Kenpo Karate), Senior Depasquale (Jujitsu), Sifu Richard Roy (Yang style Tai Chi, Qigong, Bagua Palm), Grandmaster Ron Van Browning (mixed martial arts), Chen style Taiji Master Zhang Zhaoxun as well as numerous world champions.
Brian continues to teach private lessons, local classes and seminars in central, CT, as well as continuing to travel and teach wherever the arts take him.

For the past 16 years, Brian has traveled, taught seminars, camps, conducted workshops, and given exhibitions throughout the United States, Puerto Rico, Canada, Germany, and Southeast Asia. He continues to uphold the wishes of the “Professor” by spreading the martial arts and serving as a worldwide ambassador of Modern Arnis and FMA. Brian has written numerous articles and assisted fellow martial artists in writing articles for numerous martial arts publications and books.


Rank, title, status, fame, fortune, and politics are of no concern to Brian. The chances of anyone seeing him actually wearing a belt are quite slim. For those that train with him, he prefers to be called “Brian.” Regardless of skill or longevity, if you are genuinely interested in learning the martial arts, then you will quickly realize that you have a lot in common with Brian as he shares his passion, experience and knowledge of the arts with you.


Brian often gives public praise and thanks for the opportunity to have been one of Professor Presas’ personal students for nearly 20 years. Another cornerstone in Brian’s training is his original instructor, Professor Lee Lowery (retired), who started training Brian at the young age of 13.
There are literally only a handful of people in the world that started their training under the Professor in the early eighties and remain active to this day. Brian is enjoying an incredible journey in the arts as he continues to travel, teach, learn, make “connections” and most importantly “give back” through the arts all over the world...

Professor Brian Caldwell 

"Coach" Brian Wade Caldwell a 4th degree BJJ Blackbelt is our technical consultant for Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Submission Wrestling. Coach Brian helps us to refine details and keep us looking sharp. A former marine and Ohio State wrestler, Coach Brian was the first American to earn the rank of Black Belt under the renowned Brazilian Top Team. Brian has competed on numerous occasions and earned gold medals all across North America in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Wrestling.

Currently Brian has coached high school wrestling for more than ten years and produced many champions. Brian holds a 4th degree Black Belt in BJJ and continues to train under renown BJJ Professor Anderson Silverio, a top level BJJ teacher in New England. Coach can always be found on the mats with a smile, extreme technical prowess, and a helping hand!

For more information about the WUXIA MARTIAL ARTS CENTER staff or training programs, please contact us at 978-340-1059 or by clicking here.