Our Coaches

The Madison Fencing Academy is proud to offer instruction and guidance from the coaches listed below. All MFA coaches are Professional Members of USA Fencing and have completed a rigorous background investigation by the National Center for Safety Initiatives. Moreover, all MFA coaches are members of the United States Fencing Coaches Association, the certifying body for fencing coaches in the United States.

Michael Garrison, Prevot d'Armes

Mike is the Owner and Head Instructor of the Madison Fencing Academy.

Mike is a Prevot d'Armes (Prevot certification in all three weapons) through the United States Fencing Coaches Association and an International Member of the British Academy of Fencing.

Mike's very active in the fencing community as a Head Examiner for the United States Fencing Coaches Association.

At the Midwest Conference Championships on 3/7/10 at Notre Dame University, Mike was honored as the Midwest Conference Coach of the Year; a distinction voted on by other conference coaches. This honor is a first for a Wisconsin fencing coach.

Mike teaches foil, sabre, and epee at all levels.

Brian Duckwitz, Moniteur d'Armes, Prevot d'Epee

Brian coaches foil, epee, and sabre at MFA.

In addition to his coaching work at MFA, Brian is a freelance writer and game designer for the tabletop role-playing game and video game industries. He previously taught English as well as fencing at UW-Rock County in Janesville for 20 years. While there, he organized numerous tournaments and clinics. He was the camp director for the UW-Whitewater Fencing Coaches Camp in 2019 and 2022. He has attended the Madison Fencing Academy since 2008.

Brian is a member of the United States Fencing Association and a credentialed member of the United States Fencing Coaches Association through which he earned his Prevot d'Epee and Moniteur d'Armes certifications.

In addition to private lessons, Brian teaches weekly fencing classes and lightsaber classes.

Nick Cahill, Moniteur d'Armes

Nick is an Instructor at the MFA and a former foilist for the University of Wisconsin Fencing Team. After graduating with a degree in biochemistry, Nick began working as a scientist for a local pharmaceutical company. Nick competes in all three weapons, but most seriously in foil.

Nick is a member of the United States Fencing Association and a credentialed member of the United States Fencing Coaches Association through which he's earned his Moniteur d'Armes certification.

Nick is available for instruction in all weapons.

Brianna Love, Moniteur d’Foil

Bri is an Instructor at Madison Fencing Academy, coaching foil.

She fenced foil four years at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, also serving as

President and Tournament & Event Coordinator for the club.

Following her graduation with a degree in Life Sciences Communication, Bri joined

Spectrum Brands, Middleton, WI, where she is an Associate Editor and Videographer on

the Digital Consumer Experience team. A Madison resident, she has attended MFA since

2021.

Bri is a member of the United States Fencing Association and a credentialed member of

the United States Fencing Coaches Association, through which she earned her

Moniteur d’Foil certification.