Location, Location, Location

Location, Location, Location

By Nick Evangelista

Once upon a time, as the story goes, I had a problem with the internet. I was dogged by an incorrect reporting of my fencing school’s location. It was not of my doing. As a matter of fact, I have no idea how this particular information managed to be listed, or who posted it. Since 2002, I have only reported to the world that I am located in Springfield, Missouri. I have left my exact address open for reasons that I will explain. This being said, trusting the internet, you would believe, if you hit on your favorite search engine that my school address was: 637 W. Tampa St., Springfield, MO 65802. This, I must tell you now was and always has been, WRONG!!!!!!!!

Unfortunately, for nearly eighteen years, I tried at various times to get this canard expunged from the public record without success. Hence, it became the “official” non-location of the Evangelista School of Fencing.  Of course, I had never taught at this address. In fact, I had never even been to 637 W. Tampa until I decided to visit the location out of curiosity. It was easy to find. It was right in the middle of the industrial section of town.  I thought from the outside it looked like an abandoned liquor store. But, as it happened, it was occupied, and being occupied it turned out to be a Head Start Center for preschoolers. I can only wonder how many millions of people had gone to this place over the years expecting to see fencing, only to leave thinking my school must have gone out of business, mainly due to the commercial awfulness of where it was situated.  Or maybe because I was an incompetent teacher of fencing. I will say, though, there was plenty of parking space.

Occasionally, I would get emails from individuals asking if it would be alright to visit my “fencing school” on Tampa, to which I reply, “Not if you ever plan to meet me.” I’d then explain the above scenario, which made me sound, I think, screwy at best. At the very least, it may have been suspected I was lying to them in hopes of avoiding creditors. Or maybe I was in the witness protection program. Especially since I did not then, and still do not, publicly identify my location in Springfield, as a matter of course.

The question then becomes: why didn’t I, and still don’t, pinpoint where my school could be found? The answer is quite simple: my fencing studio is located in my home, and so I discourage foot traffic and drop-ins. I offer private instruction set up by appointment only. With this in mind, I don’t want people showing up when I am eating dinner or taking a bath, or when I am sleeping. Nor do I want curious people intruding on my private lessons.  Family members and friends are welcome if the student so wishes, but this is my only deviation from private. Private means private.

The reason for my choice is school locations to me is simple. Many years ago, when I was fencing my way through Europe, I much enjoyed those tiny salles that were situated in some fencing master’s home. They were warm and friendly, unlike the large, impersonal venues where I could easily be ignored or viewed as an outsider. Never was I treated with anything but kindness in any fencing master’s home studio. This must have made a strong impression on me, because many years later, when I began teaching on my own, no matter where I was living, this was where I set up shop. Even when I lived on a farm, I immediately made a space for giving fencing lessons. To me, fencing and home are one and the same.

Anyway, not long ago, with much perseverance, and maybe astounding luck—and I’m not exactly sure what/why/how/when I did what I did--I managed, happily, to have this advertising curse exorcised. Therefore, if you want to get in touch with me, don’t be looking for me on Tampa St. among the running, screaming, jumping tots (no, I don’t mean sport fencers). Send me an email here from my website, and ask me about lessons. Once we hammer out a day and time for your lessons, I will give you my address, and directions, and we’ll take it from there.

I generally respond to inquiries immediately.