Meet My Co-Teachers

Jillian learned to play when she was about eight, on the 1992 card. Her grandmother hosted the weekly game, and her mom is the one who taught her. Mahjong runs in the family, her mom and her aunt both play and teach, so for Jillian the game has always been about the people first.

She runs Mahj-el Tov out of Northwest Houston and teaches both American and Siamese mahjong in a style that honors the rules without ever feeling stuffy. She is a proud member of the Mahj Life Instructor Guild, which means she teaches with real accuracy and respect for the official rules. When Jillian and I teach together, you can expect serious strategy and a whole lot of laughing.

We'll play. We'll nosh. We'll kibitz. You know, no big whoop.

Alicia is a lawyer by training, which is exactly why she is so good at making a tricky rule finally click. A friend taught her to play in 2017 and she was hooked on the tactile, gather-your-people side of the game. She has taught piano and knitting over the years, so breaking something down for a brand new player is second nature to her.

She teaches around Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky as Mrs. Mahj, in studios, homes, and clubs, and she also helps other teachers grow their own mahjong businesses. Her classes with me are warm, clear, and easy to jump into, even if you are completely new.

Mahj of Counsel.