David MacNeill , PhD, Master Instructor

The founder of the Billiard Academy of New England, Dave is responsible for the curriculum and the day-to-day operation.

The most popular of the Academy’s programs is the Pool Player's Weekend which includes an analysis of each student’s stroke, individual goal setting, mechanics, speed control exercises, aiming methods, effects of spin and friction, cue ball control, breaking, game strategy, banking and kicking, and drills to help every area of the student’s game.

If you want to talk about bringing your game to the next level, give Dave a call at (860) 276-2438.

Dave occasionally teaches at other Academies around the country and has had the opportunity to invite their staff to the New England Academy for special programs. This cooperation among BCA Instructors helps maintain the quality of the learning environment at all BCA-accredited academies.

Dave is particularly interested in training new Instructors, and has set a goal of at least eighteen per year.

 

Walter Zincavage , PhD, Advanced Instructor

Walt has worked with three BCA Master Instructors to date. He frequently works with Instructors from other Academies, some of whom have been invited to the New England Academy for special programs. Besides teaching at the Academy, he teaches a pocket billiards course at the University of Connecticut , and has a private practice where he offers workshops to league players.

As an outgrowth of his teaching, Walt advises on equipment selection and billiard room design. A member of the International Cue Makers Association, he is sought out by many for quality cue repairs and creating custom cues.

Walt believes that, “The important goals of instruction are improving performance and increasing a player’s understanding of the principles that underlie the game. Instruction in these areas enables players to gain the knowledge needed to continuously improve their game and evaluate new playing techniques.”

Walt has won many awards for his teaching skill at the college and university levels. These skills are based on a positive approach, tailored to individual student goals which results in significant improvements in player table performance.

Roy Pastor, Certified Instructor

Roy has been an active league player for many years. Since 2002, he has operated an APA sanctioned youth league in Ayer, Ma. Roy enjoys working with young players and some of his students have competed successfully on the national level. For the past two years Roy has organized the only BCA junior qualifying tournaments in the northeast, attracting some of the best young players in the United States.

Although having taught informally for some time, Roy first attended the Billiard Academy of New England in 2005 and became a certified instructor in 2006. Since first attending the academy, Roy has designed and taught several very popular courses catering to all skill levels.

Lawrence Gendler, Certified Instructor

Larry’s favorite pastime since his youth was three-cushion billiards and pocket billiards.

Because of Larry’s reputation for being able to hold his own with some of the top players of the 1970s and earlier (including professionals), players began approaching Larry for help with their games by the early 1980s. It wasn’t long before he was enjoying teaching just as much as playing.