Find a Mahjong Teacher Near You
Browse our independent directory of mahjong teachers. All styles, all experience levels. No brand requirements.
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197 teachers found
Teacher Spotlight
ElisaH.
Northern NJ, New Jersey
“Elisa J. Hirsch, your FairyMahjMother, began teaching as a way form friendships and build community. A teacher for 12 ye...”
Guide: How to Choose the Right Teacher
What Mahjong Lessons Cost
Lesson prices vary based on format and location. Here are typical ranges:
| Format | Price Range |
|---|---|
| Private (1-on-1) | $50-70 per hour |
| Small Group (4-6) | $25-40 per person/hour |
| Large Group (7+) | $20-30 per person/hour |
| Series Package | $175-400 for 4-5 sessions |
Note: Some teachers charge travel fees for in-home lessons. Online lessons are often more affordable.
How Long Does It Take to Learn?
Typical beginner course
4-10 sessions
Most instructors recommend 4-6 sessions for basics, up to 10 for confident play
Session length
1-2.5 hours each
Shorter sessions (1-1.5 hrs) for focused learning, longer (2-2.5 hrs) to include practice games
Total learning time
8-20 hours
Depends on how quickly you want to progress and how much practice time is included
Feel confident playing
3-6 months
After lessons, regular play (weekly or more) builds comfort and strategy
Online vs In-Person: Which Is Right for You?
| Aspect | Online | In-Person |
|---|---|---|
| Convenience | Learn from home, no travel time | Requires travel to lesson location |
| Tile Handling | Virtual tiles, can feel less tactile | Real tiles, learn proper handling technique |
| Social Connection | Video chat connection, good for remote friends | Face-to-face interaction, builds local community |
| Cost | Often more affordable, no venue costs | May include travel fees or venue rental |
| Recording | Sessions can often be recorded for review | Typically not recorded |
| Best For | Refreshers, strategy coaching, remote learners | Complete beginners, hands-on learners |
Recommendation: Complete beginners often benefit from at least a few in-person sessions to learn tile handling. Online works well for subsequent lessons and strategy coaching.
What to Look for in a Teacher
1Teaches Official Rules
Uses NMJL rules as written, not modified 'house rules'
Teaches Official Rules
Uses NMJL rules as written, not modified 'house rules'
2Structured Curriculum
Has a clear lesson plan that builds skills progressively
Structured Curriculum
Has a clear lesson plan that builds skills progressively
3Gets You Playing Quickly
Layers complexity gradually rather than front-loading all rules
Gets You Playing Quickly
Layers complexity gradually rather than front-loading all rules
4Patient with Different Speeds
Adapts to your learning pace without rushing or frustration
Patient with Different Speeds
Adapts to your learning pace without rushing or frustration
5Provides Follow-Up Resources
Gives materials to practice between sessions and answers questions
Provides Follow-Up Resources
Gives materials to practice between sessions and answers questions
6Clear Communication
Explains concepts in multiple ways until they click
Clear Communication
Explains concepts in multiple ways until they click
Practical Questions to Ask
Before your first lesson, here are the logistics to sort out:
Do I need to own a mahjong set to take lessons?
Most teachers provide sets for lessons. You don't need your own to start learning.
What should I bring to my first lesson?
Usually just yourself. Teacher provides tiles, racks, and often a loaner NMJL card.
Where do lessons take place?
Clear options with addresses or Zoom link provided in advance
What if I need to reschedule or miss a session?
Reasonable policy (24-48 hour notice), makeup sessions offered
Can I bring a friend to learn together?
Yes, and often at a reduced per-person rate for small groups
When should I buy my own set and NMJL card?
After 2-3 lessons when you're committed. Teacher can recommend sets for your budget.
Understanding Teacher Certifications
Certification isn't required to be a great teacher. Many excellent instructors are self-taught through years of play and teaching experience. However, programs like Mahji Mentor and The Flutter indicate formal training in teaching methodology.
Compare certification programs →Frequently Asked Questions
All Teachers by State
Browse our full directory of 197 mahjong teachers across the United States.
Alabama
- Anna Ford— Huntsville
- Elizabeth Burgreen— Huntsville
- Jeannie Allen— Montgomery
- Julie Andrzejewski— Fairhope
- Kate Heyer— Birmingham
- McCauley Adams— Birmingham
- Sabrina Alexander— Mobile
- Trudy Nelson— Madison
Arizona
- Andrea Korff— Scottsdale
- Cynthia Adams— Tucson
- Daron Barness— Scottsdale
- Donna Huisinga— Phoenix
- Jane Lane— Green Valley
- Joan Sitver— Phoenix
- Susan Weiner— Phoenix
Arkansas
- Kimberly Anderson— Little Rock
- Kristi Dannelley— Benton
California
- Carol Cohn— San Diego
- Catherine Freemire— Walnut Creek
- Deena Holcomb— San Diego
- Donna Eschen— Santa Maria
- Erin Conlon— Los Angeles
- Grace Decker— San Diego
- Henny R.— San Jose
- Jan— Los Angeles
- Johni Levene— Los Angeles
- Judi Nachenberg— San Fernando Valley
- Karla Andersen— San Francisco
- Kim Nash— San Francisco
- Leslie Sagan— Mission Viejo
- Marc W.— Oakland
- Megan McCallister— Santa Monica
- Michele Frizzell— Online
- Ronni Rice— Los Angeles
- Sally Irwin— La Jolla
- Sandra Novack— San Diego
- Sara Lee— San Francisco
- Sara Linden— San Francisco
- Toby Salk— Berkeley
Colorado
- Barb Trotsky— Denver
- Donna M.— Boulder
- Jan Fisher— Aurora
- Janie G.— Telluride
- Karen Kent— Denver
Connecticut
- Brenda Orr— Danbury
- Giselle G.— Greenwich
- Rhonda Greif— Stamford
- Risa Vine— Fairfield
- Susan Kurtis— Hartford
Delaware
- Michelle Rahn— Lewes
District of Columbia
- DC Mahj Collective— Washington
- Mix Mingle Mahj— Washington
- Molly Hugo— Washington
Florida
- Allison Beaty Campbell— Tallahassee
- Bonnie Wise— Tampa
- Carole Maynard— Tampa
- Carrie— Jacksonville
- Debbie Barnett— Central Florida
- Dolly Worn— Sebastian
- Donna Capone— Naples
- Gaia Banovich— St. Petersburg
- Grace McGee— Sarasota
- Jamie Stacy— Pensacola
- Kim White— Cape Coral
- MariAnne Albano— Fort Myers
- Mary Ann Williams— Bonita Springs
- Meryl R.— Boca Raton
- Nancy Alberts— Davie
- Pamela Max— Lakewood Ranch
- Randy Hayes— The Villages
- Sandi Martinez— Miami
- Sandi Mason— Statewide
- Sari Edelstein— Boca Raton
- Shannon Norden— Tampa
- Sharon Barbera— Daytona Beach
- Sherry Sternfeld— Palm Beach
- Sue Prow— Naples
Georgia
- Celesta Kemerer— Atlanta
- Kay Bell— Canton
- Leslie Barron— Athens
- Robyn Bernstein— Atlanta
- Robyn Rogers Flak— Valdosta
Illinois
- Eden Siegler— Vernon Hills
- Judi G.— Chicago
- Mahj With Stacey— Chicago
- Stephanie Victor— Lake Forest
Louisiana
- Mahjong Rouge— Baton Rouge
- Mandeville Mahj— Mandeville
- Robin Carubba— New Orleans
- Sheila Moragas— New Orleans
Massachusetts
- Anne Martin— Cape Cod
- Christina Awad— Middlesex County
- Gretchen Robards— Boston
Michigan
- Carla Kennedy— Rochester Hills
- Donna Batdorff— Grand Rapids
- Jamie Auster— White Lake
- Judith Shell— Troy
- Julie Morris— Ann Arbor
- Mahj in the Mitten— Grand Rapids
Minnesota
- Lisa-Marie Stienessen— Maple Grove
Mississippi
- Alison McAvoy— Oxford
- Amy Echols— Bay St. Louis
Missouri
- Lauren Sinovic— Kansas City
- Liesl Moon— Kansas City
- Marjorie Tomaso— St. Louis
- Melinda Barrett— Kansas City
- Phyllis Siegel— St. Louis
New Jersey
- Amy Dantus— Millburn
- Barbara Berger— Ocean County
- Carol Gross— Westfield
- Christine Blackford— Freehold
- Donna Gross— Randolph
- Elisa H.— Northern NJ
- Lisa Kopman— Bridgewater
- Meg Amela— Cranford
- Shanna Gottlieb— Monmouth County
- Stacy Budkofsky— Closter
New York
- Alex Pollack— Queens
- Ann Israels— New York
- Barbara Dellon— Yorktown Heights
- Bonnie Taubman— Manhattan
- Camille Palmer— New York
- Christy Duggan— New York
- Gregg Swain— New York
- Joy Chime— New York
- June Rapowitz— Rochester
- Katie Goldberg— Scarsdale
- Linda D.— Rochester
- Linda Feinstein— New York
- Linda Fisher— Queens
- Linda Fisher— New York
- Ling Maris— Manhattan
- Renee Gatta— Nassau County
- Rochelle Schattner— Brooklyn
- Stefanie Buckley— Westchester
- Wendy Meagher— Long Island
North Carolina
- Amy Straus— Asheville
- Lesley Cohen— Charlotte
- Lynn Roberts— Asheville
- Mandi McMillan— Fuquay-Varina
- Michelle Nice— Pinehurst
Ohio
- Alice Sadaka— Columbus
- Alicia Wilhelmy— Cincinnati
- Shelby Rhyne— Columbus
Oklahoma
- Kristen Coe— Edmond
- The Mahjong Social Club— Tulsa
Pennsylvania
- Lara Orndorff— Chambersburg
- Leah Friedman— Philadelphia
- Sue Perloff— Media
Quebec
- Shafrit Baum— Montreal
Rhode Island
- Dotsie Bohan— Newport
South Carolina
- Katie Thompson— Murrells Inlet
- Marlo Catroppa— Charleston
- Mary Ellen Barnwell— Columbia
- Sara Kilbride— Charleston
Tennessee
- Andrea McDowell— Knoxville
- Cassie Lazzo— Memphis
- Tracy Jackson— Nashville
Texas
- Andie Ochoa-Garcia— Austin
- Arabella Hibbert— Houston
- Barbara Wyman— San Antonio
- Carol G.— Houston
- Catharine Klepac— Richardson
- Courtney Collins— The Woodlands
- Courtney Cook— Houston
- Daniela Garduño— Houston
- Esther P.— Houston
- Hannah Vedros— Austin
- Harriet H.— Dallas
- Jillian Krohne— Houston
- Kelli K.— Fort Worth
- Kristel Powell— San Antonio
- Lacy Miclette Price— Houston
- Linda B.— Houston
- Mahj Girls— Dallas
- Mahj Y'all— Trophy Club
- Marlene Stern— Dallas
- Michelle S.— Houston
- Molly Hardy (Mahjong Molly)— Dallas
- Nicki Farris— Dallas
- Penny Sexton— Plano
- Sarah Bhatti— Dallas
- Shawna Atkinson— Abilene
- Stacey White— Houston
- Stephanie Brink— Dallas
- Susan Rutherford— The Woodlands
- Suzy Turner— Dallas
- Tall City Mahjong— Midland
- That's aMAHJzing Houston— Houston
- Tiffany Norris— Lubbock
- Tyler Mahj Club— Tyler
Virginia
- Marilyn Calabrese— Richmond
- Tori Rittinger— Arlington
Washington
- Hope Goldberg— Seattle
Wisconsin
- Candace Burrows— Mequon
- Connie Vandre— Sheboygan
- Sue Berce— Milwaukee