All of our members are volunteers, including instructors. Our instructors are merely students who have studied hard and spent a lot of time practicing, have proven to their peers the ability to convey the knowledge of our art to others, and have chosen to take the role of leading our practices.

Johanus Haidner

Founding the Academy in 1994, Johanus Haidner, BA, BEd, MBA, PBA, has Provost ranks in longsword, arming sword, and unarmed combat, with additional ranks in knife, staff, Messer, and pole-arms. He has been studying Western Martial Arts before the term became popular, and before HEMA was called HEMA. A former champion in Greco-Roman wrestling, he won medals in open martial arts tournaments across Alberta for both weapons and unarmed divisions, as well as a plethora of medals in various HEMA events.

“It is my strong belief that training is a life-long pursuit, and that martial arts has much more to offer than most people realize. It’s not just a matter of fitness, it’s a way of discovering yourself and learning true interaction with your whole being that is offered in no other way — mind, body, and spirit. Our European heritage has so much to offer us that people don’t begin to comprehend. While I encourage cross-training, I believe that no other martial heritage has as much to offer, nor is as rich and diverse as that of Europe.” (J. Haidner)

Reme Rudyk

Reme started with the AES in 2002. He worked his way to his Savant in longsword and was well on to his way to getting his junior instructor when other life events and interests took precedence. After a few years hiatus from the school doing other things and studying with Academie Duello, where he got his instructor certification for rapier, he returned to the AES where he was welcomed with open arms. Reme quickly completed his Junior Instructor certification is working on furthering the AES curriculum for rapier, with the assistance of other students and instructors.

Zach Swimmer

Zach began studying HEMA at the age of 14. At 18 he became the youngest instructor the AES ever had, qualifying for his Junior Instructor Certification. Zach enjoys researching into Meyer and the Italian schools of HEMA and is eager to share what he has learned with students new and old.

Eric Edmonds