Lecture/Demonstrations (Fri.-Sun.)
Workshops (Sun. pm)
Masterpiece Bonsai Exhibit - Expanded Display Area (Sat. - Sun.)
Bonsai Critiques( Sat.)
Raffles of Demo Material (Sat. - Sun.)
Silent Auctions (Fri.-Sun.)
Banquet & Bonsai Auction (Sat)
Large Bonsai Vending Area (Fri. - Sun.)

Charles Ceronio started growing bonsai in 1968. He is the President and was co-founder of the Pretoria Bonsai Kai. In 1981, Charles and a small group of South African bonsai growers attended the 25th Anniversary of the California Bonsai Society on the invitation of John Naka. Charles was Mr Naka’s assistant in Pretoria during his numerous visits to South Africa. Charles has been a John Naka disciple ever since. Other great masters who had an influence on Charles are Ben Oki and Roy Nagatoshi. Charles gave a talk on "The Winds of Change to Indigenous Bonsai Styles for South Africa" at the first bonsai convention held in Cape Town in 1980. At that convention, he introduced South African bonsai enthusiasts to six new African styles that he had created. Charles' favorite bonsai style is, surprisingly, not the Pierneef or Baobab styles, but rather forest plantings. In 1999, he published his book Bonsai Styles of the World. Regarded as the bonsai bible on styles, a second edition was published in 2004. During 1999 and 2000, two of Charles's trees were selected as being among the 100 best trees in the world in the JAL World Bonsai Contest held under the auspices of the Nippon Bonsai Association. He was a headliner at the 2005 World Bonsai Convention in Washington, DC. At present, Charles is working on a book on indigenous plants suitable for bonsai in Southern Africa. He will present two lecture/demonstrations, one on Saturday and one on Sunday. Also on Saturday, Mr. Ceronio will conduct a critique of the exhibit trees, and on Sunday he will conduct a bring- your- own tree workshop.

Michele Andolfo is a bonsai professional known for the artistic approach he has promoted in his work and teaching for more than 10 years. In 1996, after obtaining his IBS (Italian College of Bonsai and Suiseki) instructor degree, he began his teaching and bonsai development activities, holding workshops and bonsai courses in Italy and abroad. In 1999, he co-authored the first European book on bonsai aesthetics entitled “Bonsai Culture and Aesthetics Project,” which was followed by “Bonsai Basic Course,” which was recognized for facilitating the teaching of bonsai to children and beginners. His work has won him important prizes and recognition. He has been published in the most prestigious magazines in the field of bonsai, first in Italy, then in Europe generally, and more recently, in the USA, Canada, Taiwan and Japan. He is also cited in European, Chinese and American bonsai books. When not doing hands-on bonsai work, his administrative duties include: Secretary and Head of Teaching of the IBS; adviser on the board of directors of the Italian National Association UBI for 10 years, and President of the Bonsai Club Martesana for 13 years. In 2003 he founded the Andolfo Bonsai Studio School, which has about 100 students in five centers in Italy, Switzerland, and Quebec. He will present two lecture/demonstrations, one on Saturday and one on Sunday. On Saturday Mr. Andolfo will conduct a critique of the exhibit trees; on Sunday he will conduct a workshop utilizing yews.

Michel Phaneuf, born in the Montréal area, studied sculpture and painting at the Montréal Fine Arts School. He graduated from UQAM University with a degree in graphic concept and design. He has his own marketing company. Michel started bonsai in 1992. After a few years of training with David Easterbrook, he worked with many bonsai specialists from Europe, Japan and the USA. His involvement in the Société de Bonsaï et de Penjing de Montréal includes serving as a teacher, eight years on the board of directors, and four years as president. Michel has travelled to Europe to continue his training and give lectures with French and Italian masters, such as François Jeker, Michele Andolfo, Salvatore Liporace and others. Michel was one of the founding members of the Karamatsu Study Group in 1998 which meets in Montreal. He was a featured teacher at the American Bonsai Societies’ 2008 Learning Seminars in Texas. The titles of his lessons at this event were, “Shape and Movement (creating a bonsai),” “Initiation to Dead Wood for the First- Timer,” and “Dead Wood Tools and Techniques.” He has also given lectures and demonstrations to many United States bonsai organizations. In bonsai design what Michel loves most is creating bonsai with a lot of expression. He will present two lecture/demonstrations, one on Friday and one on Saturday. Also, on Saturday Mr. Phaneuf will conduct a critique of the exhibit trees; Sunday he will conduct a workshop utilizing Shimpaku junipers.