Skills: Woodworking, Leadership/teaching
I’ve been passionate about woodworking since elementary school. What started as after-school and summer camps soon evolved into teaching at those very same programs. After moving to Los Angeles midway through high school, I set up a full woodworking shop in my garage to continue honing my craft. In the summer of 2020, when most camps were shut down due to COVID-19, I launched my own neighborhood summer camp — teaching local kids how to design and build their own woodworking projects right from my garage.
The wooden mouse shown above is typically the first project I have beginners build. It incorporates a variety of techniques and hand tools, while remaining approachable for those just starting out. I first learned woodworking using only hand tools, and I teach with the same philosophy — emphasizing precision and technique as essential foundations. As students gain confidence, I have them design their own projects and create original blueprints, rather than following mine. Once I see they’ve mastered the basics, I introduce power tools and teach how and when to use them safely and effectively. I’ve taught over 20 students in my own summer camp, and more than a hundred through the after-school and summer programs where I worked.
Above is the first advanced project I completed in middle school. I built it entirely by hand without using a single power tool, designing and fabricating all components myself — including the eyebolts, sails, and metal parts. After mastering the fundamentals of woodworking through this and similar projects, I began exploring RC airplanes, boats, and more complex builds. I continue to use my woodworking skills regularly for personal projects and school projects, and I spend a lot of time machining and woodworking when I’m home. I now design and build essentially all of the furniture for myself and my family.