About Our school

Our Mission

Warriors of Ash is a Historical European and Dark Ages Martial Arts School that revitalizes martial techniques developed over centuries by weapon masters of their time. As a 501(c)3 educational non-profit, we aim to make this obscure martial art accessible to all, creating an inclusive environment that embraces diversity regardless of race, faith, gender, sexuality, or nationality. Our instructors apply historical source material, body mechanics, and modern combat attitudes to create a community with the freedom to learn the art together.

Volunteer Powered

None of our Board, staff, or instructors are compensated for their services. 100% of membership dues and donations go toward expanding our curriculum and improving our students’ experience. To get things done, we have several established committees comprised of senior “Patch Holder” members. These members choose a committee to work with based on their attributes and affinites. Our current committees are:

  • The Arborists - Research, Curriculum & Instruction

  • DEI Committee - Ensuring inclusive policies, creation of scholarships, HR

  • The Vanguard - Community Outreach, Events, & Fundraising

  • The Builder’s Guild - School construction projects & maintaining our Armory

  • Merch Committee - Designing Merch and other aesthetics

  • The Medics - Ensuring physical safety in the school and at public events

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Our Instructors

  • Lochlan Koulouris (He/him)

    Founder, Head Instructor

    Lochlan is the founder of Warriors of Ash (est. 2015) and a U.S. Army veteran of the 101st Airborne Division. Over the past decade, he has taught a wide range of historical weapons—from daggers to polearms—and competed in local and regional tournaments across multiple disciplines.

    While Loch primarily teaches longsword, if you ask him to choose a favorite weapon, he’ll tell you, “all of them.” His classes emphasize the martial application of swordsmanship over sport fencing, with a focus on realism, intensity, and growth. Expect his training to be demanding—but deeply rewarding—for those serious about walking the path of the blade.

  • Ziggy Lindsey (he/him)

    Council Co-Chair, Spear/Staff Instructor

    Yo ho! If swashbuckling and general rascalry are your wish, then Ziggy has the class for you. He focuses on single-handed cutting weapons like the dussack, messer, and cutlass. The study spans the ages from the 15th century up to the Golden Age of Piracy in the 18th century. His fencing motto is “See ‘em in hell or send ‘em to hell if you can, but either way enjoy the fight.”

  • Bren Mcanney (he/him)

    Longsword Instructor

    Bren has been a foil sport fencer for 30+ years, including collegiate club at Northwestern University, and began training HEMA and Longsword at Warriors of Ash in 2019.  Noted footwork enthusiast.

  • David "Professor" Henderson (he/him)

    Council Secretary, Rapier Instructor

    David teaches rapier at the Tuesday night Singles Mixer class. He also teaches philosophy and environmental thought at Western Carolina University. Born in Texas, he and his family have lived in Western North Carolina since 2008. He has a background in several martial arts, including Filipino stick and knife styles. But these days he focuses on Italian longsword and Italian and Iberian rapier. When not at class, look for him in the pathless wilderness.

  • Layla Anderson (she/her)

    Dark Ages Combat Instructor

    Layla Anderson teaches Dark Ages Combat on Thursday nights and focuses on long axe and polearm instruction. Born and raised in Mississippi, Layla moved to the Asheville area in 2019 and has been with the Warriors of Ash ever since. She’s passionate about reconstructive combat and developing WoA’s “house style” of fighting with boss-grip round shields and various types of axes. When not hitting people with axes, she loves playing video games where you hit people with axes, running D&D games where people get hit with axes, and throwing axes competitively (the targets get hit with axes).

  • Parker Townsend (he/him)

    Longsword Instructor

    Parker Townsend teaches early Italian longsword on Friday nights. Among his interest in Fiore dei Liberi’s works, he is also obsessed with various niche (and some not so niche) video games, as well as his sidekick Captain Kitty Meow pictured above.

Council & Strategist

  • Claire Hickein (they/them)

    Council Co-chair

    Claire joined Warriors of Ash in September 2024 and became a member of the Council in March 2026. They're still trying out different weapons, but spear is their current favorite. They enjoy developing merch, planning events, and above all, improving the DEI initiatives of the school. Their ultimate goal is for WoA to be a diverse, equitable, and inclusive community for all who want to be a part of it. Outside of WoA, they are a chocolatier, vampire enthusiast, and drag king performing under the name Damien Reid Romance. 

  • Zack Pamfilis (he/him)

    Council Member

    Zack Pamfilis is an Asheville native, a UNC Chapel Hill graduate, and a dual wielding enthusiast. He is one of the instructors for the Singles Mixer class, specializing in 19th century military saber, and has been with Warriors of Ash since 2023.

  • Heather "Raven" Banther (She/her)

    Council Treasurer

    Heather serves on the Warriors of Ash Council and has been training with the club since 2023. She prefers sword and shield for its versatility, but also enjoys working with dagger. Outside of HEMA, she works in community development and enjoys being part of organizations that bring people together. When not working or sparring, she enjoys fitness, getting lost in a good book, or heading off on an outdoor adventure.

  • Ziggy Lindsey (he/him)

    Council Co-chiar, Spear/Staff Instructor

    Yo ho! If swashbuckling and general rascalry are your wish, then Ziggy has the class for you. He focuses on single-handed cutting weapons like the dussack, messer, and cutlass. The study spans the ages from the 15th century up to the Golden Age of Piracy in the 18th century. His fencing motto is “See ‘em in hell or send ‘em to hell if you can, but either way enjoy the fight.”

  • David "Professor" Henderson (he/him)

    Council Secretary, Rapier Instructor

    David Henderson (he/him) teaches rapier at the Tuesday night Singles Mixer class. He also teaches philosophy and environmental thought at Western Carolina University. Born in Texas, he and his family have lived in Western North Carolina since 2008. He has a background in several martial arts, including Filipino stick and knife styles. But these days he focuses on Italian longsword and Italian and Iberian rapier. When not at class, look for him in the pathless wilderness.

  • Lyndsey E.L. Tate (She/They)

    Council Committee Admiral

    Dagger enthusiast and lifetime WNC native Lyndsey Tate began studying with Warriors of Ash in March 2024. This was an incredible decision, and has changed her life for the better in myriad ways, including but not limited to a newfound wealth of sword knowledge and a community that she wouldn’t trade for the world. In March of 2026, she was offered a position on the Council, and took it with the hope of better serving and caring for her fellow Warriors. Outside of WoA, Lyn is a dedicated nerd and hobbyist, and enjoys playing D&D, World of Warcraft, as well as gardening and spending time in the sun.

  • Mads Mirassou (she/they)

    Strategist (Executive Director)

     Mads began their journey with Warriors of Ash in 2017. They began as a longsword fighter and have since switched to focus on rapier and dagger. A sustainable agriculture enthusiast, Mads holds an Environmental Studies degree from Warren Wilson College and is on the board of directors of Organic Grower’s School. They are passionate about non-profit service and community building.