Donny McKay: President and Lead Instructor of Sword and Buckler
Donny McKay began his HEMA training in 2017 with the Schlüssel Historical Fencing Group in Belton, TX. He has primarily studied Sword and Buckler combat, military sabre, Scottish broadsword, and Ringeck’s German Longsword. He is a history enthusiasts and likes to emphasize historical context while teaching from HEMA treatises. Donny also has 6 years of practice in Tang Soo Do Martial Arts.
Donny joined VBHF in 2018 and became President of the club in 2021. Donny also creates HEMA relevant content at funkybuckler.com. |
Ryan Atanasio: Secretary and Lead Instructor of Longsword
Ryan Atanasio began his training in 2019 at VBHF. He began by studying Meyer’s longsword but moved on to study Ringeck’s german longsword and german sidesword. Today he also experiments with rapier, sword and dagger, and sword and targa. In his free time, he enjoys rock climbing, Dungeons and Dragons, and searching for historical accounts.
Ryan became the secretary of the club in 2021. |
Lane Crabill: Assistant Instructor of Longsword and Sword and Buckler
Lane began studying longsword in 2018 and joined VBHF in 2019. He has studied longsword, sword and buckler, messer, sabre, and Montante. Lane assists in the instruction of both the sword and buckler class as well as the longsword class. Lane primarily specializes in Meyer weapon styles but also has studied other systems such as Johannes Lecküchner's messer.
Lane became an officer for VBHF in 2021 and is eager to teach Montante to all students. |
Erik Soalca: Assistant Instructor of Longsword
Erik Soalca began his journey as a fencer in the summer of 2021 when he was introduced to VBHF. Initially focusing on the Meyer system of German Longsword, he has since become an enthusiastic student of both the broader body of German longsword fencing as well as military sabre. As a former U.S. Marine, Erik strives to place an emphasis on the "martial" aspect of HEMA and encourages students to have fun and to cultivate a "warrior's mindset" as they grow proficient with the weapon of their choice.
Erik became an officer for VBHF in 2023 and currently serves as the Assistant Longsword Instructor. |