Paul Irizarry
Program Director & Mandarin Tutor
Paul is a Mandarin tutor based in Austin with over a decade of experience in education. He has enjoyed every second of his Mandarin learning journey, from coursework toward his degree in East Asian Studies at Middlebury College to living in Beijing for four years while working as an educational consultant supporting students and families from China applying to schools abroad. Paul has studied Mandarin extensively through the Middlebury Summer Intensive Language School and is also a proud alumnus of the CET Intensive Language Program in Beijing. Paul has also worked as a Mandarin language tutor with students in New York City, across the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, and remotely for over seven years. With his passion for teaching fostered by his M.S. in Educational Studies at Johns Hopkins University, Paul strives to create impactful moments by sharing the joy of Mandarin learning with his students. Paul founded Manhattan Mandarin Austin in 2023 after five years of working closely with Manhattan Mandarin. With a mutual vision of providing authentic language and cultural experiences to learners of all ages and backgrounds, he is excited guide others along their Mandarin journeys.
Jamie Keyte
Founder & Mandarin Tutor
Jamie Keyte is a Mandarin tutor based in New York City. Jamie founded Manhattan Mandarin in 2012. ​A native New Yorker, Jamie attended The St. Bernard’s and Trinity Schools. He graduated from Kenyon College with a BA in Internationals Studies. In 2008, Jamie studied abroad where he completed an intensive Mandarin language program at CET in Shanghai.​ Upon graduating, Jamie ran high school educational tours in both China and the United States. In 2010, Jamie decided to further enhance his Mandarin skills and completed a second intensive language program in Beijing. This led him to a job at Thomson Reuters, where he became the China Project Manager for a Thomson Reuters’ subsidiary. During this time, Jamie developed the concept for Manhattan Mandarin and co-founded IvyGate, a Beijing-based SAT tutoring and high school/college application company.​ In 2019, Jamie returned to Trinity to run the Mandarin 1 program. He continues to run Manhattan Mandarin at its new New York headquarters at 153 E 70th. He has taught 10,000+ hours of private Mandarin lessons.
Michelle Tomizawa
COO / Mandarin Tutor
Michelle was born in Beijing. She is a native Mandarin speaker and is also fluent in English and Japanese. At five years old, she began formal training in Voice and Piano in Beijing. Later, she received her B.S. in Accounting from Kean University and Rutgers University, New Jersey. Then, she moved to Tokyo, Japan with her family and studied the Japanese language at Takusoyoko University, Tokyo. After returning to New York, to continue her passion for Language education, Michelle completed the TCSOL program at Columbia University Teachers College and has since been active with language education as one of the program’s Alumni association co-chairs. Learning multiple languages has become a meaningful and skillful process for her. It has allowed her to become more efficient and expand intellectually. Languages themselves go way beyond just being tools of communication. It is the beauty and learning of the culture behind languages that enables one to develop a profound respect and understanding of all the diversity around the world. It is these experiences that Michelle has most valued and is excited to share with young children.
Anna Li
Administrator & Mandarin Tutor
Anna is a native Mandarin and Cantonese speaker from Guangdong, China. She received her B.S. in Education Studies and B.A. in Psychology from Miami University of Ohio. Through experiences in various classrooms, Anna has cultivated a deep passion for education. Then dedicated herself to furthering her knowledge of education curriculum and policy, she decided to pursue her M.A. in International Education Development from Teachers College, Columbia University. Anna strongly believes that every student has their unique way of learning. She excels at observing students' interests and habits to tailor teaching approaches that inspire self-directed learning. With enthusiasm, and patience, Anna is committed to creating a student-centered, hands-on learning environment that encourages growth and curiosity.
Yi Wei
Mandarin Tutor
Yi is an experienced Mandarin Chinese tutor and teacher in an Austin local public school with a strong passion for making language learning engaging and meaningful. She holds a master's degree in TESOL and Foreign Language Education from New York University, completed in 2016. Yi moved to Austin with her family and taught Chinese in a private school. Since 2018, she has joined a public school district, focusing on teaching Mandarin Chinese to middle school and high school students. Over the past years, Yi has had the pleasure of seeing her students grow and develop their Mandarin language skills. She has also found great joy in leading Chinese New Year field trips and hosting cultural workshops to help her students cultivate their transcultural skills. Yi believes in the power of educational technology to enhance the learning experience. By incorporating innovative tools and authentic, up-to-date materials into their lessons, she strives to make learning Chinese both interesting and relevant for her students. Yi makes sure her classes are student-centered and the language is taught in a natural flow. Her ultimate goal is to help her students speak Chinese unconsciously!
Dr. Bo Liu
Mandarin Tutor
Dr. Bo Liu, Assistant Professor of Instruction at the University of Texas at Austin, specializes in teaching Chinese language and culture to diverse student groups. With a Ph.D. in Curriculum and Instruction, his expertise encompasses foreign language education, including motivation, teacher training, curriculum design, and teaching pedagogy. He has published in esteemed journals, such as Foreign Language Annual, CSL Journal, Chinese Literature Today, and Overview of Higher Education in the United States. In addition to his scholarly work, Dr. Liu actively contributes to the profession. He serves on the board of CLTA-TX and reviews conference proposals for ACTFL and research manuscripts for FLA and JNCOLCTL. He also leads the STARTALK Chinese program in Minnesota, promoting Chinese language education beyond academia. With over five years of teaching experience in K-12 and college settings, Dr. Liu fosters a learner-centered approach in his classrooms. He prioritizes creating a supportive environment and utilizes multimedia resources and technology to enhance learning. Advocating for personalized learning content, he tailors instruction to meet individual student needs, making language learning enjoyable and engaging.
Peggy Kao
Mandarin Tutor
Peggy is an experienced educator in Austin with over a decade of expertise in education and Mandarin instruction. Born in the United States, she grew up in Taiwan, pursued her education in Canada, and earned a Master of Arts in Organization and Leadership from the University of San Francisco. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Social Science with a concentration in Linguistics and Economics from the University of Victoria, which has deepened her understanding of the challenges language learners face and shaped her effective teaching methods. As a native Mandarin speaker with a multicultural background, she has served in various teaching and administrative roles, including as a Mandarin instructor, program manager, and curriculum designer. She has worked extensively in both the U.S. and Taiwan, developing customized lesson plans and training programs for educators. In her leisure time, Peggy enjoys cooking, baking, and traveling, always seeking new experiences that inspire her both personally and professionally.
Daisy Su
Mandarin Tutor
Daisy is a dynamic Mandarin Chinese tutor and experienced educator with a passion for immersive language learning and cultural exchange. Holding a Master’s in TESOL from the University of San Francisco and a Bachelor’s in Broadcasting, she combines linguistic expertise with engaging teaching methods to make Mandarin accessible and fun. With over five years of teaching experience, Daisy has taught beginner to advanced students in both classroom and one-on-one settings, including roles at Kaixin Language School and the University of San Francisco. She specializes in customized lesson plans, interactive small-group classes, and personalized tutoring, ensuring each student progresses at their own pace. Her background in radio and television—including internships at China National Radio and Inner Mongolia Television—brings a unique flair to her lessons, incorporating real-world media examples, conversational practice, and cultural insights. Daisy believes in a student-centered approach, blending educational technology with authentic materials to foster natural language acquisition.
Chris Li
Mandarin Tutor
Chris is a highly experienced Mandarin tutor based in Austin, Texas, bringing over four years of expertise as a senior Mandarin instructor at CET Academic Programs in Beijing. As a Mandarin Chinese teacher in Austin, Chris has successfully supported over 100 students, ranging from beginners to advanced learners, through tailored instruction and immersive language experiences. His role at CET included overseeing and developing training for new Mandarin tutors, ensuring high-quality teaching standards. Additionally, his work as a residential advisor allowed him to mentor students in both academic and social settings, further enriching their language learning journey. Chris’s dedication to teaching makes him an exceptional choice for anyone seeking a skilled Mandarin tutor in Austin.
Candice Leow
Mandarin Tutor
Candice is a Mandarin tutor in Austin from Singapore with a bilingual upbringing in Mandarin and English. She holds a communications degree from the Nanyang Technological University, and was an exchange student and intern in China, immersed in the cultural capitals of Beijing and Chengdu. She has worked in editorial and marketing roles in Singapore, as well as the non-profit sector in Southeast Asia. While pursuing an anthropology masters at the National Dong Hwa University, she lived on the scenic East Coast of Taiwan for about two years. Being bilingual has enriched her life in so many ways, enabling her to take on Mandarin teaching and translation responsibilities. Based in Austin now, she is committed to helping students discover the beauty of Chinese language and culture.
Samuel Zhao
Mandarin Tutor
Samuel is a multilingual Mandarin tutor with a strong background in business analytics and cross-cultural communication. A native Mandarin speaker fluent in English and French, he holds an MBA from UT Austin’s McCombs School of Business and a Master’s in Economics, blending data-driven teaching methods with real-world corporate experience. His structured, goal-oriented approach is ideal for professionals and students seeking Business Mandarin, conversational fluency, or test prep, all tailored with measurable progress. Passionate about cultural exchange, he incorporates psychology and mindfulness techniques into lessons, ensuring an engaging and effective learning experience. Outside teaching, Samuel enjoys swimming, meditation, and volunteering with international organizations.
Elizabeth Suh
Mandarin Tutor
Elizabeth is a Mandarin tutor in Austin with a minor in Chinese language at the University of Texas at Austin. She has been studying Mandarin from a young age in order to better communicate with her Taiwanese grandparents and relatives, and she is extremely passionate about continuing to learn more about Taiwanese and Chinese culture. Elizabeth loves sharing her love of language and culture learning with students. Elizabeth is also a CET Taiwan alumna, where she studied Mandarin Chinese and completed an internship at an environmental nonprofit, named the Homemakers United Foundation. In addition to learning Mandarin, Elizabeth loves to play piano and oboe and is learning how to play the guqin, a traditional Chinese musical instrument.
Zac Amundson
Mandarin Tutor
Zac, a Texas native, and a proud graduate of The University of Texas at Austin, is a passionate Mandarin tutor in Austin, Texas. With a strong background in Mandarin studies, Zac is enthusiastic about sharing his language learning journey with students of all ages. As a Mandarin Chinese teacher in Austin, Zac goes beyond language instruction by incorporating cultural elements into his lessons, such as teaching how to play Mahjong and exploring the diverse world of Chinese tea. His deep appreciation for Chinese culture makes him a valuable resource for anyone looking to gain a comprehensive understanding of both the language and traditions. Zac’s engaging and culturally rich approach to tutoring sets him apart as a top Chinese tutor in Austin.
Yanqing Liu
HSK Specialist & Mandarin Tutor
Yanqing earned her Master's degree in TCSOL at Shanxi University in China and completed a one-year TCSOL program at the Teachers College of Columbia University. Because of her passion for enriching students with Mandarin language skills and Chinese cultural knowledge, Yanqing started teaching in 2012 and has enjoyed more than 10 years of gaining valuable teaching experience. She also spent two years teaching at a middle school in Indonesia. Besides teaching at Manhattan Mandarin, Yanqing is also a Teacher Assistant in the Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures at Columbia University.
Natasha Skergen
Mandarin Tutor
Natasha is a Mandarin tutor in Austin who graduated from The University of Texas at Austin. As a child, Natasha attended Chinese school on Sundays, where she learned traditional characters from Taiwanese instructors. During the summers of high school, she attended a Chinese camp where she immersed herself in Chinese culture for a week each time and loved it. These experiences led her to take advantage of the opportunity to study abroad in Taiwan with CET. at National Taiwan University. Natasha looks forward to getting to know you and helping you learn Mandarin.
Ivy Song
International Programming Liaison
Ivy Song is a UK Certified Accountant with an ACCA (Association of Charted Certified Accountants) Certificate. After graduating from university, she spent several years with Fidelity Beijing’s Venture Capital Office. With Fidelity, Ivy focused on TMT and traditional deal research, and she developed a passion for entrepreneurship. She founded IvyGate Consulting in 2013, which specializes in educational and business consulting. Ivy has also utilized her strong Chinese government connections to serve as a PR consultant for international companies within China. Ivy has an exhaustive understanding of how to launch marketing events in China, such as workshops and forums. She can also secure and maintain the continued participation of government leaders, market experts, and media staff in multinational ventures.
Margaret Wardrop
Business Development Specialist
Margaret has been a student of Mandarin for over 15 years and is a proud alumna of the Middlebury C.V. Starr study abroad program (Hangzhou / 2010). Following college graduation, she moved to China to develop a career in the hospitality industry. Among the companies for which she has worked in China are Starwood, Marriott, and the National Basketball Association. Now based in Austin, Margaret's pastime is to spread the joy and opportunity in studying Chinese! One of the ways she does this is by connecting Manhattan Mandarin to schools, tutoring programs, corporations, and organizations throughout the Austin area. In addition to offering 1:1 tutoring services, Margaret is a great resource for exploring career paths and travel adventures in China.