Mahj Life Instructor Guild > Teaching FACE-TO-FACE and ONLINE, nationwide!

Joy first discovered American mahjong in 2023 with a mix of curiosity and confusion (“Wait—what’s a Charleston?”), but quickly fell in love with the game’s strategy, challenge, and community. Since then, she’s hosted regular games, taught countless beginners, and built a growing circle where laughter and learning go hand in hand.

Now, Joy brings that same energy to the classroom at Vanderbilt’s Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI), creating a fun and relaxed space where new players can build skills, gain confidence, and fall in love with the game, just as she did. Her favorite part? That “aha!” moment when a new player clicks with the rhythm of the tiles. As she puts it: “All it takes is one game to get hooked—and I love helping people get there.”

Joy is a member of the Mahjong Instructors’ Guild and an Oh My Mahjong teacher. Before becoming a full-time mahjong hobbyist, she served as a physician assistant in geriatric medicine, a corporate leader at Johnson & Johnson, and a global health advocate for women and children.

Student Skill Level: Beginner

Online Lesson Size: Up to 4 players

In-Person Lesson Size: Up to 16 players

In-Person Guided Play Size: Up to 12 players

Microcredentials:

First Principles Promise: I promise to teach you the first principles of mah jongg using the official rules, giving you a strong foundation and the confidence to play with anyone, anywhere.

Variations Awareness Pledge: I pledge to distinguish house rules from the official rules and help you understand their impact so you can confidently adapt and enjoy the game anywhere.

Pride In Excellence Initiative