Instructors

Hometown: Winnipeg, Canada

What brought him to TD: “The opportunity to direct Tahoe Donner’s tennis programs.”

Favorite thing to do in TD or favorite season/amenity at TD and why: “Besides playing tennis, I love the bike trails and rock climbing areas all around the Tahoe Donner area.”

Background: “I started teaching tennis 20+ years ago in the Palm Springs area. I have worked at La Quinta Resort since 2001 and at Tahoe Donner since 2008. I have called the Tahoe area my summer home since 2005, and I always look forward to time at the beaches, lakes, trails, restaurants, shops and all of the other wonderful things that Tahoe Donner and the surrounding areas have to offer.”

Hometown: Los Angeles, CA

What brought him to TD: “I love the people, the courts, the setting, and the robust programming.”

Favorite thing to do in TD or favorite season/amenity at TD and why: “Mountain bike, SUP on the lakes, ski the mountains, rock climb, and all the amazing activities Tahoe offers.”

Background: “Started teaching tennis in Tahoe in 1999. Have worked at several tennis centers in the area, as well as La Quinta. Just returned from running a club in Florida pan handle for one year. Happy to be back in Tahoe Donner!​”

Hometown: East Brunswick, New Jersey

What brought him to TD: “My family bought a house in Tahoe Donner in 2009. I’ve gradually spent more time here each year before making the move to my favorite place full-time in 2024.”

Favorite thing to do in TD or favorite season/amenity at TD and why: “Whether I’m playing or teaching Live Ball, exploring the Euer Valley on my bike, jumping in the lake, or scarfing down a Caesar and burger at The Lodge, I love how every day here offers endless opportunities to be active and connected to nature.”

Background: “I grew up playing tennis and competed on my high school varsity team. After more than 20 years working in real estate investments and development in NYC and LA, I found myself drawn back to the courts—especially after spending the summer of 2023 playing almost every day at TD. In 2024, I joined the TDA team as the Pro Shop Supervisor and Tennis + Pickleball Pro. I’m passionate about this vibrant, welcoming community and love sharing the joy of tennis and pickleball with players of all levels. I’m a dedicated mindfulness practitioner who finds peace and clarity through long silent meditation retreats.”

Hometown: Keokuk, Iowa

What brought me to TD: “The combination of great people and top-notch facilities. The vibrant tennis/pickle community at TD is the best in Tahoe.”

Favorite thing to do in TD or favorite season/amenity at TD and why: “All of them! I enjoy staying active in different ways all year long. Tennis and pickleball fill my summers and fall. In the winters you’ll find me strength training at the gym, or sneaking in some morning laps at Alpine.”

Background: “I grew up playing competitive tennis in the Midwest. I went on to play singles and
doubles for Quincy University in Illinois. After becoming PTR certified at age 19, I taught tennis
across the country. Including The Meadow Club of Southampton, NY, Four Seasons in Lake of the Ozarks, and most recently Northstar here in Tahoe. I am excited to join Ian and the crew of seasoned pros here at Tahoe Donner. Teaching tennis has always been such a rewarding experience for me.”

Hometown: Livermore, CA now in Reno, NV

What brought me to TD: “While raising my kids in Truckee I had the opportunity to coach the Truckee High School boys team. I am excited to have the opportunity to return to teach this summer with the wonderful Tahoe Donner Tennis Center Staff.”

Favorite thing to do in TD or favorite season/amenity at TD and why: “The opportunity to sit on the dock and enjoy Donner Lake, bringing much peace to life!”

Background: “I started playing tennis at a young age, played through the junior circuit and eventually for Southern Illinois University in Carbondale. I have taught in Livermore, Grass Valley, Truckee and Reno over the years. I love to start the young down their journey of tennis, developing players of all ages and bringing families together on the court.”

Hometown: Nevada City, California

What brought me to TD: “The wonderful community and opportunity to teach pickleball in such a beautiful area.”

Favorite thing to do in TD or favorite season/amenity at TD and why: “There’s a plethora of options for adventure but to keep it to a few, I love the mountain biking and trail running systems throughout TD, some of the best I’ve ever been on.”

Background: “I started teaching tennis 13 years ago and fell in love with coaching. My love for racquet sports continued when I started to play and compete in pickleball. I look forward to bringing my passion and knowledge to TD!”

Hometown: Redwood City, California

What brought me to TD: “My family has a cabin here.”

Favorite thing to do in TD or favorite season/amenity at TD and why: “Going for walks and smelling the fresh air/trees.”

Background: “I grew up playing junior tournaments all around the SF Bay Area. I went to USC for college and was hitting partner and manager for the NCAA Division I National Championship-winning team in 2014. After college, I worked on and off with a pro player, even coaching him at the 2017 U.S. Open. Since then, I’ve been coaching privately around the LA and SF area. Fun fact is that I am a longtime (10+ years) coach to TV Talk Show Host, Dr. Phil, and also President of the Tennis Channel, Ken Solomon. Another fun fact is that I have a win (years ago in the juniors) over a current pro player with a career high of 37 in the world (and he is still currently in the top 100!).”

Hometown: Duderstadt, Germany

What brought me to TD: “Listening to Ian Mindell, who always spoke so highly about TD. And he was right…”

Favorite thing to do in TD or favorite season/amenity at TD and why: “Besides Tennis and Pickleball, I love the Golf Course in this area. And swimming in Donner Lake after a workout is just fantastic.”

Background: “I started teaching tennis when I was 16 years old. After working with kids, I became a coach for juniors, adults and high performance teams in Munich. Since I came to the US in 2016, I’m working for La Quinta Resort & Club as a Tennis and Pickle Ball Pro. And since 2017 I’m happy to spend my summer in the beautiful Tahoe area.”

Hometown: Hampden, Maine (30 minutes inland from Acadia National Park)

What brought me to TD: “I was first introduced to Tahoe Donner’s Tennis facility, in my Tennis days, playing on the 4.5 men’s team with Ian, Malcolm and others. I’m excited now to share my love and knowledge of Pickleball in the hopes of helping to grow the program in TD.”

Favorite thing to do in TD or favorite season/amenity at TD and why: “I love chasing Ian around on the amazing TD trails on mountain bikes in the summers, wake surfing on Donner Lake and then occasionally suffering to the Drifter hut on XC skate skis in the Winter. The Tahoe Donner amenities are so well maintained, the views are amazing and the staff are always so nice and welcoming.”

Background: “Breaking away from a baseball-family mold, I found tennis on my own organically around the age of 10 and started playing and winning a few tournaments that first year and the years to follow around Maine and New England. I was hooked and never looked back. I went on to help lead our high school team to multiple state championships and then went on to play Division II college tennis for Saint Michael’s College in Vermont, while also teaching summers back home in Maine at a local summer camp throughout my college years. In 2003-2004, I moved to San Diego and taught at the Rancho Arbolitos Swim and Racket Club in between surf sessions, as well as the Convention Center Downtown and the Hyatt, before moving to Tahoe in 2005-2006. I traded the rackets out for some ten years for snowboards until I met Malcolm and Ian, who re-ignited my love for racket sports. Fast forward now to the last three years, Pickleball has me feeling like that 10 year old kid again who was banging groundstrokes against the garage door for hours, as I continue to work on improving my own skills, play tournaments, and share my love for the game with all of you.”

Hometown: La Quinta, California

What brought me to TD: “Ian invited me to teach this summer. I worked here a few years ago and fell in love with the place, so I would like to take this opportunity to do this again.”

Favorite thing to do in TD or favorite season/amenity at TD and why: “TD is my favorite place for perfect summer weather. One of the best places to go hiking, enjoy outdoor activities and scenery.”

Background: “I’m an Elite Tennis Professional for PTR & RSPA and a Certified Pickleball Professional for PPR. I’ve been teaching both tennis and pickleball for the last 7 years at La Quinta Resort & Club.”

Hometown: Coachella, California

What brought me to TD: “All the talks about this place and Ian Mindell. It was a new opportunity offered to me, also who wouldn’t like a small getaway from palm trees to pine trees.”

Favorite thing to do in TD or favorite season/amenity at TD and why: “This would be my first year here, but I’m sure just experiencing something new and a new environment will be pleasant!”

Background: “Currently a Tennis and Pickleball pro at La Quinta Resort and club! Going on to my 6th year teaching there. I played high school tennis and College tennis and was part of Nike Tennis and Pickleball camps year round. ASICS model.”

Hometown: Coachella, California

What brought me to TD: “Ian Mindell and Markus Vorwald spoke highly about TD and its amazing program. It was an opportunity I could not pass up.”

Favorite thing to do in TD or favorite season/amenity at TD and why: “Besides tennis and pickleball, I love to golf or perhaps go for a nice, relaxing bike ride.”

Background: “I began teaching Pickleball at La Quinta Resort and gradually began teaching Tennis. I look forward to Tahoe as an opportunity to further expand my teaching, surrounded by amazing coaches and its one-of-a-kind Director, Ian Mindell.”