David is well known for his work with California Junipers and Black Pines. His experience includes studying under Harry Hirao, Ben Oki, Ernie Kuo, as well as Masahiko Kimura in Japan. David is well known for his skills and advanced techniques found in his signature trees and has been referred to by the GSBF, Golden State Bonsai Federation, as "Mr California Juniper II".  He travels the United States conducting demonstrations at various clubs and has been featured year after year as a headliner for many bonsai conventions.“Bonsai Jidai” Davids schoolAt Bonsai Jidai, we focus heavily on fundamentals and hands on learning. With a solid understanding of bonsai fundamentals, we can design a tree to its fullest value. Our courses include reviewing the basic concept and maintenance methods. For seasoned students, we move on to more advanced techniques including root training, heavy bending, and advanced design.  

Takashi Shimazu was born in Kumamoto, on the southern most island of Japan.In 1968 Tak immigrated to Orange County, California where he worked as a gardener. He later moved to Riverside, California and joined the Inland Empire Bonsai Society. In the 1980s he studied under Bonsai Masters John Naka and Harry Hirao. Tak continued to improve his skills through bonsai books, magazines and occasional trips to Japan to study at the Bonsai nurseries there.  In 2013 he went to Gasho-en Bonsai Nursery and studied under bonsai master, Mr. Sasaki.  He loves to share the techniques he has learned through classes and demonstrations. Tak is a member of Nampu Kai, and the California Bonsai Society.Talk workshop is on Itoigawa Shimpakuthe workshop will be learning wire and style of shimpaku and is for advanced members.

Bob Shimon first attempt with bonsai was in the mid 60' when he was in collage using the Sunset book. he was drafted out of collage and didn'e return to bonsai until 1985 when he joined Redwood Empire Bonsai Society in Santa Rosa. Mas Imazumiwas the club sensei and his first instructor. Kathy Shaner followed Mas as club sensei after Mas passed away.Beside Mas and Kathy, he has studies with Mr.Mitsuya, Mr.. Tanaka, Mr. Tokita from Japan. he also studied with Peter Tea, Marco Invernizzi, and Ryan Neil.He operates" Mendcino Coast Bonsai" collection collection native species, specializing in redwood, pygmy cypress, oaks, and sierra junipers. He also carries Chinese and Japanese pots as well as custom pots by Sara Rayner and VikkiChamberlain, and burl slabs.Bob workshop is field grown oaks. with initial styling of large field grown oaks with 4-5' bases.attendees skill level applies to all levels , novice to advance.

Shohin Japanese Black Pine: Initial styling of raw stock grown in pond baskets. Skill Level: beginner to intermediate Material: Shohin Japanese Black Pine, less than 1” dia. trunks, low sprouts for initial branch selection, trees suitable for setting initial structural yet planning for added development

Fred  Miyahara Started Bonsai on 14. He specializes in Japanese black  pines and grafting.He grafts Shimpaku and Tosho onto San Jose junipers and cork bark pines. Fred has studuedfrom many bonsai masters; starting with Mas Ishii, Ernie Kuo, Dennis Makishima, Bill Castelllon,Kathy Shaner, Boom Manakitiviport and currently with Kenji Miyata. Fred is a members of many bonsaiclubs including Nanpu Kai, Calif. Bonsai Society, San Diego Bonsai club,Kofu Kai and Dai Ichi Bonsai Kai. Fred workshop will be Japanese Black Pines and will be doing the initial design on field grownblack pines; approximately 12 years old. and the skill level is for all level of students.

Born in the Philippines and immigrated to the USA in 1983. Began studying bonsai by reading John Naka's book.Until he meet Harry Hirao in 2004. Subsequently his relationship with Harry began when he invited me to help him on his bonsai demo and continued to develop ever since. I have also studied with Tak Shimazu and Boon Manakitivipart and they introduced him to grafting trees and the art of shohin Bonsai. My shohin passion came from my energy in bring more of me into what I do best. It is simple approach that is at the heat of your process is to go beyond what you love doing the most.Having a good eye, dedication,hard work and always pushing the limits, will eventually payoff. I won best of show in StantaAnita and John Naka award with shohin display at Descanso Bonsai Society. At this point of  my bonsai career, I teach, do demos at bonsai clubs, shohin study groups, conventions workshop and continue to study more as I progress. member of Calif. Bonsai Society, Nampu Kai, Descanso, Santa Anita and Orange Bonsai Society. Shohin Rocks!!!!!workshop #1- Shohin miniature blue atlas cedar 10 year old and grafted cedar.in this workshop you will learn to create a cascade cedar miniature blue atlas cedar are slow growing and prostrate form of cedar. . It has a rich blue foliage and much shorter than regular variety. It requires fast draining soil and it likes to be fertilized every month during the growing season. Skilled level intermediate.workshop #2- twisted itoigawa Juniper shohin. Itoigawa juniper is an evergreen coniferous tree and a very popular choice foe shohin bonsai. Started cutting 10 years ago and after 3 years applied twisting method technique. Than growing using pond basket for 6 years to fattened up and fertile heavy during growing season. Skill level intermediate.

Ed first saw bonsai at the age of 15 at the state fair. He started learning bonsai  from the Sunset book on bonsai. At that time he was The propagator for the largest bear root Nursery in the valley, for 10 years and played with bonsai. 9 years ago when he retired, he started back in with bonsai. He started studying bonsai with the Fresno bonsai club and John Naka ( before John passed away)  Ray Theme, Ted Matson, David Nguy. When Ed could not find the bonsai he wanted , he started growing and propagating his own. Now his bonsai material is very sought after.And Ed owns round Valley nursery in Lindsay California. Ed will be doing a workshop on eight-year-old procumbens nana, shohin size. He will be doing this workshop with Steve Valentine.

Kusamono and companion plantsyou will have fun with accents, Participants will learn how to crate 4 individual plantings using Lucy's"I Love Lucy" pots, plus how to make and care for a moss ball. a prepared kit will include all materials.(gloves optional)

Bob Hilvers first took up the art of bonsai more than forty years ago as a hobby. After retiring from a 35year career in public safely, his love of bonsai morphed from a hobby in an avocation and finally to a professional endeavor.in 2001 he, along with Bill Clark, co-founded the bonsai collection at the Clark Center for Japanese Art and Culture.In 2014 he facilitated the transfer of the ownership of the Clark bonsai Collection to the Golden State Bonsai Federation.Bob then supervised the design and construction of a brand new bonsai exhibit facility and relocation of the nowGSBF Clark Bonsai Collection to the Shinzen Friendship Garden in Fresno.Bob is past president of the Golden State Bonsai Federation ans continues to serve on that organization's Board of Trustees.

He is a charter member of the National Consortium of Bonsai Curators and is currently serving on the Board of the Shinzen Friendship Garden in.. He is beginning his 18th year as Curator of what has come to be considered to be one of the finest public bonsai collections in the US.Bob workshop is with 6 field grown Twisted Pomegranates that can ultimately be developed into excellent chuchin size bonsai. Trunk diameters at the soil level range from3-41/2 inches.the workshop will address scars from old "field cuts" of former branches, make decisions on basic branch structural and perhaps secondary branch wiring. We will not be performing and root work.workshop attendees should have intermediate to advanced wiring skills. in addition to the normal set of bonsai tool, attendees should bring a sharp knife for reducing old field pruning scars and cut paste. Small power tools are acceptablebut classroom conditions may require attendees to go outside to make use of the power tools.

Ann Erb moved to California from Minnesota several years ago. She was President of the Minnesota Bonsai Society before moving to California. Ann takes her bonsai seriously; she is a member of the prestigious California Bonsai Society and until recently regularly taught bonsai classes at SBCC Adult Ed. She continues to conduct workshops and presentations for many clubs. Ann and her husband John Kopp also make beautiful bonsai display stands.Workshop: Cedar Atlantic, very nice trees, grown in the ground 10 years in 2 gallon cans’Prostrate growers, can be worked in to semi cascade or wind sweep Skill level intermediate to advance.

Internationally known and recognized for her excellence in the art form, Shaner began bonsai in 1983 in California. After ten years of study she obtained a 5 year apprenticeship with Sensei Yasuo Mitsuya, highly regarded Master of Gendai (contemporary form) bonsai training. She is the first non-Japanese and the first woman certified by the professional bonsai grower's branch of Nippon Bonsai Association. During her apprenticeship, she published a series of articles in Golden Statements magazine chronicling her training and adventures in Japan. Upon completion of her apprenticeship in 1994, Ms. Shaner has worked in bonsai on a full time basis. She has lectured and conducted seminars and workshops, at many National and International Conventions, while also working on many private collections throughout the United States. Ms. Shaner uses her knowledge and ability to find the "soul of the tree." Then, using creative and specialized techniques, she teaches her students the art and culture of bonsai in a clear and understandable way. Her critiques are filled with positive ideas about how to improve each tree. In addition to her teaching and private collection work, Kathy Shaner is the curator of the Golden State Bonsai Collection-North at Lake Merritt in Oakland, California, which opened in the fall of 1999. Kathy will be doing workshop and a seminar, critiques and working with the headliners.

Lindsay Shiba stated bonsai at his family nursery in 1070 at the age of 11 years old.Katsomi his father, began teaching him In 1973 Lindsay began formal instruction under his Sensei Kahm Komai. He was awarded a bachelor’s degree in Ornamental Horticulture from Cal Poly Pomona in 1081, and began teaching the same year. Other Masters he has learned from were Harry Hiro, John Naka. Lindsay has demonstrated for two world bonsai conventions, and throughout the country including, Hawaii, Puerto Rico and Mexico.

Mike began his journey in Bonsai at the age of fourteen when his grandfather got him interested.Mike continued to advance his knowledge of the art by joining Fuji Bonsai Club a year later.There he studies Bonsai for many years under Sensei Jimmy Inadomi. Mike helped Jimmy with work at his home and at their annual shows. Overt he years, Mike has raed many books on Bonsai and has studied Bonsai with several other prominent artist to increase his skill level. Mike has studied with boon Manakativipart and is amember of Bay Island Bonsai Club.

Mike is also a member of Mirai Live which provides continuous instruction by Ryan Neil. Mike enjoys working on traditional Bonsai species such pines, juniper, and maple. Mike's favorite species of tree is the sierra juniper as he has been collecting yamadori for years. mike has written any Bonsai related articles for both GoldenStatements as well as Bonsai Focus, a nationally published magazine.Mikes workshopBring your own tree workshop, you will be leaning wiring and raffia application.workshop will focus on how to property wire and apply raffia. Many different techniqueswill be taught. Juniper are ideal for this workshop.

I am the chairman of Bonsai Basic. I was a GSBF Trustee. I have studies with Roberta Walters, Kathy Shaner, Ryan Neil and Ron Anderson. I am working closely with the Bonsai Artist effected by the tragic Camp Fire. My home club is Chico Bonsai Society.I will be conducting a Bonsai Basic Seminar at the convention. This is a program to help members become GSBF teacher’s certification. Skill level advanced