THE NASHVILLE CHESS CENTER INSTRUCTORS

 

Email Aaron for all NCC information: director@nashvillechess.org

Aaron Caveny

Aaron was born and raised in Nashville and has lived there most of his life. He graduated from Hume-Fogg High School in 2013 and Western Governor's University in 2016. He has a Bachelor's degree in Business Management and minor in Economics. Aaron spent the first 9 years of his career in various management roles with The Sherwin-Williams Co. Aaron began teaching followed by accepting the role as Assistant Director in 2023.
Aaron began playing chess in 2014 while he was in college. He was the 2016 Tennessee Amateur State Champion as well as tying for 1st in the u/1800 section at the World Open in 2018.

Aaron enjoys spending his free time with his wife Madison and their kids, Colbie & Beckham watching the Titans and the Gators, and competing in chess!

Lessons available to adult learners and some scholastic players. Email for pricing.

Email: director@nashvillechess.org

Epiphany Peters

Hi, I’m Epiphany!

I’ve been playing chess since I was four years old and am currently a USCF Expert and active tournament player. Over the years, I’ve earned a number of titles including 2012 Japan Women’s Champion, 2013 TN All-Girls State Champion, 2014 Nashville City High School Champion, and 2024 Mid-South Women’s Champion.

I began coaching at the Nashville Chess Center in 2013, and teaching has become one of the greatest joys of my life. I love helping students grow not only as chess players but also as thinkers, competitors, and people. My school teams have won the 2020 and 2025 Region III Primary Team Championships, and my private students have earned top finishes at events like the Nashville Scholastic & Girls City Championship and the Tennessee All-Girls Championship.

I grew up in Metro Detroit before moving to Nashville in 2012, and I graduated from Vanderbilt University in 2020. In my free time, I love reading, playing the piano, studying Japanese and streaming on Twitch.

You can find my Twitch stream at: https://www.twitch.tv/marichess

 

(NM) Hemi Rambha

Hi, my name is Hemi Rambha, and I’m a National Master from Nashville, TN. I fell in love with chess when I was 6 years old, and I’ve been competitively playing for 12 years now. I earned my master title in 2024, and I have 8 TN state championships and 10 Nashville City championships under my belt while also being the Barber and Denker representative for middle school & high school. Looking forward to connecting with you!

Specialties

I like to work on the middle game portion of the game, as it is overflowing with ideas and positional play. I also love looking at attacks, and I am a huge puzzle lover. Good Student Match: I like an experienced tournament player who strives to learn more about the game, as the intake of knowledge can only help, never hurt. Moreover, it would help if they have a clear rating goal that they want to reach.

Good Student Match

I like an experienced tournament player who strives to learn more about the game, as the intake of knowledge can only help, never hurt. Moreover, it would help if they have a clear rating goal that they want to reach.

Playing Experience

1. 8 Time TN State Scholastic Champion
2. Time Nashville City Scholastic Champion & 1 Time Nashville City Open Champion
3. Nationals 7th Place in Grade Nationals x2 – 4th, 5th Grade
4. Nationals 4th Place in K-12 Nationals – 9th Grade
5. Nationals 2nd Place in Blitz – 7th Grade

Teaching Method

I like to show model games of certain attacking or positional patterns so that students get a grasp of that concept and then show them more positions in that area so they can solidify their ability. I also like to play games against them and explain my thoughts behind my moves, so I can show my view of the position while I learn about theirs.

JOSH CAMPBELL

Matthew Burgett

Hi I’m Josh. Born in Australia I moved to Nashville when I was young and was raised here ever since. I learned chess at 5 and played my first tournament at 8. Since then I was a very consistent player in the Nashville scholastic chess scene and won the City Championship 5 yrs straight in Jr high and high school. I was also Team Captain for the chess team Campbell Homeschool that won multiple State Championships and had many top 5 finishes at Nationals.

Outside of chess I enjoy reading, piano, researching the financial markets, and going on adventure’s.

You can contact me about private lessons at

joshuaardencampbell@gmail.com

 A Nashville native, Matthew has been passionate about chess since he was seven years old. Over the years, he has honed his skills through competition, placing in the top 10 twice at the Scholastic Tennessee State Championship and competing in the prestigious Nashville City Championship. With a deep love for the game, Matthew has also shared his knowledge by teaching chess through the NCC at a couple different Nashville schools. He is ambitious about improving his game and plans to achieve the National Master title by the end of 2026.

Beyond chess, Matthew is currently studying Electrical Engineering Technology at Nashville State and will graduate in May 2025. When he’s not playing chess, Matthew enjoys working out at the gym and cheering on the Tennessee Titans. He also has a strong interest in business and finance, with plans to launch his own ventures in the near future. If you’re looking to sharpen your chess skills with a passionate and experienced coach, Matthew is ready to help take your game to the next level!

For private lessons please contact Matthew at mburgett.1963@gmail.com

Suneil Avirneni

Hi, I’m Suneil. I’m a dedicated chess coach and a student at Vanderbilt University with a passion for helping players improve in a structured and practical way.

I began playing chess at 13 after discovering the game online, and because it didn’t come naturally to me at first, I had to build my understanding from the ground up. That experience shapes how I teach today. I focus on breaking down complex ideas into clear, simple concepts so that students can truly understand why moves work, not just memorize them.

My coaching emphasizes strong fundamentals first, supported by structured lessons, game analysis, and practical decision-making. I work with a wide range of students, including scholastic players, adult learners, and group lessons. I particularly enjoy working with players who are motivated to improve and willing to think deeply about their games.

Whether you're looking to build a solid foundation or sharpen your competitive play, I aim to make each lesson engaging, clear, and tailored to your goals.

Lessons available both online and in-person.
For pricing and availability, please contact: savirneni03@gmail.com

 

Sabrina Hoja

Hi, I’m Sabrina! I’m a competitive chess player from Nashville and I’ve been passionate about the game since I played my first tournament at age 9. Over the years, I’ve built a strong track record in both local and state competitions, including:

· 5-time Nashville All-Girls City Champion

· 2-time Tennessee K-12 All-Girls State Champion

· Tennessee representative at the Ruth Haring Tournament of Girls State Champions  

· Tied for 1st place – Tennessee Winter Open 2025

· 1st place – High School Regionals 2024

· Tied for 2nd place – Tennessee High School State Championship 2024

Outside of chess, I love reading, studying biology, listening to music, traveling, and playing the viola. I'm always looking to grow, compete, and connect with others who share a love for chess! Reach out to lessonsbysabrina@gmail.com for private lessons. At the moment, I am currently only offering online lessons.  

Hourly Rate: $30

Robert Catlin

Coach Catlin believes the Nashville Chess Center is the best thing since sliced bread. He has long been fascinated by the art and science of chess—especially how it parallels life through strategic planning and tactical execution. While he wishes he had taken the game more seriously earlier in life, he now finds that making the right move, both on and off the board, opens the door to countless opportunities.
After graduating from Stratford High School, Coach Catlin joined the U.S. Army to "Be All You Can Be." He gained extensive experience across a wide range of military occupational specialties, making him an essential asset during the post-9/11 global war on terrorism. His overseas service taught him that "combat is a team sport," whether in a military theater or a game of chess. Understanding the strengths and weaknesses of each player—or teammate—is critical to achieving the mission. Coach Catlin feels deeply honored to have served his country and is now dedicated to supporting the safety and success of the next generation.
Since retiring from the armed forces, he’s committed to mentoring young minds and helping guide their futures through chess and character development. He and his wife, Kimberly, have been married for 34 years. They are proud parents to Alexandra (and her husband, Matt) and Robert Jr., and are blessed with a grandson, Jonathan.

KAYLA WEISHAAR

Kayla grew up in East Tennessee before moving to Nashville about 15 years ago.  Kayla and her two younger siblings (Luke Weishaar and Rachel Weishaar) were homeschooled through high school and played chess competitively in tournaments for about 5 years.  Kayla reached a peak USCF chess rating of 1650.  She also helped run a homeschool chess club in Crossville, TN for several years.  Currently, she just plays chess for fun and enjoys teaching kids who are new to the game

Kayla’s other hobbies include playing ping pong and hiking.  Kayla has an associate degree in business and currently works for Southeast Financial specializing in recreational lending for boats and RVs.

You can contact her about private lessons at kayla@sefinancial.com

 

(NM) Rory Wasiolek

Rory was born in Houston Texas and moved to Nashville after graduate school.  He began playing competitive chess in middle school and played for the Duke chess team, going to the final four collegiate tournament twice.  He earned his national master (NM) title while studying statistical genetics at UCLA.  Rory began teaching chess in his junior year of high school, and has recently resumed doing so.

Private lessons available for students of all levels

email: redw16@gmail.com