About us

Hong De Wu Guan

Caiyun Zhou, “Nickola”/Executive Director:

Caiyun Zhou/Nickola is a dedicated educator with an extensive background in teaching Chinese language and culture. Born and raised in Sichuan, China, Caiyun met her husband Adrian while he was living in China and learning about the culture. In 2006, they moved to Minnesota where they have been raising their family ever since.

With over 20 years of experience in education, Caiyun has held various teaching and leadership positions throughout her career. From 2003-2006, she served as an assistant principal at Xinyu Day Care in China, where she developed curriculum and advised teachers. Currently, Caiyun is the Executive Director of Hong De Wu Guan, a Chinese culture organization based in the Twin Cities.

Caiyun has been teaching Chinese language and culture in Minnesota since 2006, and has been an active member of different Chinese culture groups in the area such as Minghua Chinese School, Minghua Choir, Qi Pao Society, and Chinese Lion Dance. She is currently a full-time Chinese teacher at Language Sprout where she is a leader teacher, training new teachers and providing quality education to her students.

Caiyun’s passion for teaching is evident in her commitment to her students and her profession. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Education from Beijing Institute of Business School and has continued her own education by studying Tai Chi with Sifu Genquan Chen in Foshan, whose Sifu is from Henan Cchen village. In 2011, she also joined the Southern Wind Gong Fu Institute.

Caiyun’s teaching style is highly regarded by her students and peers. She has excellent management skills, a great rapport with students, and a deep understanding of Chinese language and culture. Caiyun’s dedication to education and her community make her a valuable asset to any organization.

Garrett Glaser/Board Member

Garrett Glaser brings to the Hong De Wu Guan Board over 30 years of experience in theater, photography, and video production as a performer, fabricator and designer. Garrett currently works with Target Corporation as a designer of photo and video sets as well as interactive marketing experiences for stores and events. 

Garrett’s early exposure to the infectious magic of live performance has led him to a life enriched by the collaboration, energy and drive for excellence inherent in crafting a powerful performance, and those qualities have influenced how he approaches all aspects of his life and work. He strongly believes the Hong De mission of outreach to elementary-age students will offer many children the opportunity to learn and embody these invaluable skills and core values that they may not encounter otherwise. He joins the board with a drive to ensure that Hong De’s impact will be as broad as possible and as meaningful to those it reaches as the experiences which shaped his own life.

Benjamin To/Treasurer/Board Member

Forever a kid-at-heart, despite passing the Minnesota Bar and CPA Exams, Ben is proud to lend his financial acumen to the board of Hong De Wu Guan.  Because almost nothing impresses Ben more than to see someone achieve excellence at a young age, Ben is fully committed to Hong De’s mission of empowering and enriching Minnesota’s youth.  Ben has a long history of giving back to the next generation from working as a camp counselor to being a middle/ high school teacher before turning to law and accounting.  As a recent, but ardent convert to Chinese martial arts, Ben has personally reaped the benefits of this practice.  From strengthening one’s mind and body to opening up fields of potential, Ben knows that the benefits of a program like this are immeasurable.  Moreover, as an American-born Chinese who self-describes as knowing little about Chinese culture, Ben has found the program’s offerings on lion-dance traditions and other aspects of Chinese culture to be richly rewarding. 

Ben is a native New Yorker but has called Minnesota home since 2009.  He’s been a member of the MN Bar since 2009 and attained CPA licensure in 2012.  Ben currently works as a senior revenue accountant at the software company Anaplan.

Lela/Secretary/Board Member: 

Qi Zi Rui Zhou is a dedicated member of the board of directors for Hong De Wu Guan, Inc. As a sophomore pursuing a bachelor’s degree in Computer Science and Art, she brings a unique perspective and fresh ideas to the organization. She is passionate about making a positive impact in her community, and is involved in various organizations that provide support and opportunities to youth. Qi Zi Rui has experience in mentoring and teaching, and understands the importance of providing positive role models and guidance to help youth thrive. In addition to her community involvement, she has been involved in Chinese Martial Arts and Lion Dance for a majority of her career, and is excited to bring her dedication and commitment to the organization. Qi Zi Rui is eager to explore new ways to engage and inspire the local community with Hong De Wu Guan.

Adrian Stockman/Board Member:

Adrian Stockman is a Minnesota native, born in St. Paul. Currently he serves as one of Hong De Wu Guan’s head instructors. His time is spent providing classes in Taiji, Kung Fu from both Northern and Southern China, and Traditional Lion Dance. He is a member in good standing with several international groups; Whirling Tiger Kung Fu Studio, USA; Foshan Hung Sing Guan, PRC; Hung Sing Liang Guan, PRC; Huanan Chen Style Taiji Quan Studio, PRC; Southern Wind Gung Fu Institute, USA; and IMANA Hall of Fame, USA; and The Shaolin Eagle Claw Gymnasium.

While pursuing a Bachelors in Anthropology at the University of Florida, he had his first encounter with traditional Chinese Martial Arts when he found his want into a Kung Fu studio in the summer of 1995. This experience provided him with both physical and cultural education, and ignited his passion for learning and teaching the positive and rewarding aspects of martial arts. That drive led him to spend his junior year living in China.

After returning to Florida to graduate, he made the decision to return to China.  This would turn into a five year journey of traveling, training martial arts, teaching English, and learning everything that he could about Chinese culture and customs. It was during this time that he met his wife Caiyun Zhou.

In 2004 ,while living in China, he and his wife welcomed their first daughter into the world. reconnecting with his extended family became more of a priority.. This is when an idea began to form, to share what he had learned about the world, himself, and others in a way that could open the eyes of youth to the boundless possibilities not only around them but within them!

Upon arriving in the Twin Cities in 2006, Adrian and his wife Caiyun, were welcomed into the local Chinese community and have kept ties to the various groups in the Metro Area that share interest in promoting the culture.

David Skaurud/Board Member

David Skaurud is a Design Engineer by profession and a member of the board of directors for Hong De Wu Guan. With a passion for teaching, creative thinking, and physical arts, David brings a creative background to the organization and provides a critical eye for planning.

For over 10 years, David has volunteered with another non-profit organization teaching metalworking skills, primarily blacksmithing, to a wide range of people, primarily kids and young adults, but also folks learning new skills in their retirement. In that time, David has served as a teaching assistant, primary teacher, and lead instructor. He has also helped to develop new classes and programs for the organization in that time. David’s experience in teaching and his passion for helping kids to develop their skills and self-confidence make him a valuable member of the organization.

David hopes to help educate and teach kids through the programs offered by Hong De Wu Guan, particularly in traditional Chinese arts which have played a big role in shaping his life. It helped develop physical abilities and, more importantly, mental skills such as focus, discipline, and perseverance.

Through Hong De Wu Guan, David believes in providing an opportunity for kids to develop as individuals while also teaching important social skills and creating a community. He is excited to be part of an organization that is working to support a wide range of kids from all ethnic and social backgrounds.