STUDENT REVIEWS
What women are saying.
Real reviews from real students who came to the table nervous and left feeling confident. The good news? You'll be one of them soon.
3,000+
Students taught
★ 5.0
Average rating
150
Lessons in 2025 alone
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
If you want to learn Mahjong in a way that actually makes sense, you have to take a class with Gaia. She makes the game approachable and fun. She's incredibly patient, explains the rules clearly (especially Jokers!), and creates a positive, encouraging learning environment. I left feeling confident and excited to play. I truly can't recommend her enough.
— WENDY
More from the table.
Five-star reviews from students across Tampa Bay.
★★★★★
“Thank you so much for the beginner lesson! We had the best time and learned so much. I felt very confident after your session and can't wait to begin playing. I highly recommend Gaia as a teacher. Her lesson is well planned and the notes provided are invaluable!”
KIM
★★★★★
“Gaia is a wonderful teacher! Also, she is the epitome of a welcoming hostess at every open play setting.”
BONNIE
★★★★★
“Gaia was very knowledgeable, patient, and exceptionally encouraging of brand new players. I'm hooked. You really do leave the first class with enough information to play a game. Highly recommend!”
BETT
★★★★★
“Gaia is a wonderful instructor with great open play sessions around town! Highly recommend!”
SARAH
★★★★★
“Gaia was a superb teacher of Mah Jong to true beginners! She was patient, kind, and broke things down in a way that made it simple to learn. Most of all, it was FUN!!!! I'm inspired to go back to my home in Iowa and start my own Mah Jong group!”
JACKIE
★★★★★
“Wonderful open play. Gaia is great and has expanded the MJ world in Pinellas.”
KATHERINE
★★★★★
“We were absolute beginners and Gaia gave us a wonderful introduction to the game with our private session. We booked a lesson for the two of us at her home and our time with Gaia gave us the confidence to continue with enthusiasm. Plus it was a delight to meet her! Gaia had come highly recommended by a friend who also took a private lesson to learn the basics and now I will do the same. I heartily recommend her!”
SUSAN
★★★★★
“Gaia is a great instructor. She knows the game, is enthusiastic, and patient. Highly recommend.”
TRICIA
★★★★★
“Gaia is an amazing, fun, professional, dynamic teacher and leader.”
MARGIE
★★★★★
“Gaia was knowledgeable, patient, and an excellent instructor. Would recommend her to anyone looking to learn how to play Mahjong!”
KELLY
★★★★★
"It was a delightful and FUN experience! Gaia is a wonderful, patient instructor. She persevered with four novices who now are hooked!"
CINDY
★★★★★
“I took a private lesson with Gaia. She was so inviting and easy to learn from. As a beginner, Gaia gave me more confidence with her tips and strategies.”
JANEV
★★★★★
“I’ve taken two lessons with Gaia thus far and she has been an incredible teacher. Her personality is so warm and welcoming and she makes the game of mahjong easy to learn and enjoy. Not only does she instruct us well during class but she follows up with helpful emails with additional information, links for local meet ups and the like. I’m looking forward to more and more mahjong games!”
LORI
★★★★★
“Gaia was such a great mahjong teacher and made it so enjoyable! She explained the game so well and did it at a great pace. Very excited to attend another session with her and continue to learn the game!”
KATIE
★★★★★
“If you are new or want to learn how to play or even brush up on your skills of American Mahjong, then you Gaia is your instructor. She is patient, warm and friendly and it extremely knowledgeable. Thank you for relieving some of my anxiety. Can't wait to play more!”
MARYKAY
★★★★★
“Gaia was such a great instructor! Her way of teaching the core basics of Mahjong made the game so much easier to understand and really helped everything click by the end of the class. I highly recommend going to Gaia as an instructor if you want to truly learn and enjoy Mahjong!”
KIERSTEN
★★★★★
“Excellent teacher. She explains the game very well to beginners and makes it not so overwhelming. Highly recommend as a coach!”
ANITA
★★★★★
“Gaia is a great instructor. She is fun, detailed and easy to follow along and learn.”
JOSIE
★★★★★
“Gaia was a fantastic instructor! Mahjong can be so intimidating for new players, but after the intro class, I felt much more at ease & confident I can play intro games!”
KAITLIN
★★★★★
"Gaia is a great teacher! She made learning mah jongg easy and fun! Highly recommend her classes!"
LEE ANN
★★★★★
“Gaia could not have been a better teacher for my first time playing Mahjong. Playing Mahjong for the first time is not easy and she has a way of breaking it down to help you get started off right. She is warm, encouraging and inviting to new players. If you want to learn Mahjong, 100% recommend starting with one of her classes.”
JESSICA
★★★★★
“Highly recommend Gaia! She's a patient, concise, and calming teacher. What a fun game!”
ASHLEY
★★★★★
“Gaia has been amazing in coordinating and teaching mahjong. I sooo appreciate the time she puts into coordinating play and leagues. Thank you Gaia for creating a robust community of mahjong players!”
PAIGE
★★★★★
“An amazing class with a wonderful teacher!!! Learned so much!!! Gaia kept everything fun and easy. Our whole group had a great time. She followed it up with so many wonderful resources. I have been practicing for a couple of days and feel I can now play an actual game.”
MB
★★★★★
“Gaia hosted Ooh La Mahjong at Mademoiselle Cafe this last Wednesday and I had a fabulous time. I am only 2 months in to learning Mahjong and I felt very comfortable playing at this social. Everyone is very supportive and helpful. I highly recommend Master Your Mahjong!”
GINA
★★★★★
“Had such a great experience!!”
TYLER
★★★★★
“Lovely evening with Gaia! Seven of us all playing for the first time. Gaia made it fun, clearly she is well versed in not only all things Mahjong but also very skilled at teaching. We’re a festive group and Gaia rolled with it but kept us on track. We look forward to playing more! Thank you!”
ELLEN
★★★★★
“Fun 2.5 hours with excellent instructor Gaia.”
ANN
From corporate partners.
Growing the mahjong communities, one table at a time.
★★★★★
“I have had the pleasure of working with Gaia Banovich for over a year. During that time, we have partnered on countless successful events, including twice weekly Mahjong Open Play sessions, monthly Mahjong 101 and Mahjong 102 beginner classes, private events, and after hours gatherings.
When we first introduced mahjong at Pour & Decor, I never anticipated how quickly it would grow. Thanks in large part to Gaia's instruction and enthusiasm, the response from our community has been overwhelming. The success of these events has even led us to launch a dedicated mahjong membership program, which continues to grow.
I have personally taken Gaia's beginner class and can confidently say she is an exceptional instructor. She explains the game clearly, thoroughly, and with patience, making it approachable for complete beginners while keeping the experience fun and engaging. I have watched people of all ages discover a new hobby through her classes, many of whom have become regular players and active members of our community.
Beyond being an excellent teacher, Gaia is organized, professional, reliable, and a true pleasure to work with. She consistently creates a welcoming environment that encourages people to learn, connect, and build confidence.
I highly recommend Gaia Banovich to anyone looking for a knowledgeable and engaging mahjong instructor. She has been an invaluable partner to our business, and I have no doubt she would be an asset to any organization or event.”
GABRIELLE CUCCARO-WATSON, OWNER POUR & DECOR
★★★★★
“I can't recommend Gaia highly enough. She is an incredible instructor - patient, organized, engaging, and able to meet players at every skill level. Whether someone is learning Mahjong for the first time or looking to sharpen their strategy, she creates an environment where everyone feels welcome and confident.
Beyond teaching the game, Gaia has helped us build something even more meaningful: a true sense of community. Our Mahjong gatherings have become a place where people connect, laugh, and form lasting friendships. If you're considering working with Gaia, I have no doubt you'll be just as impressed as we have been.”
MEREDITH RHEIN, DIRECTOR OF COMMUNITY RELATIONS, LIVETRENDS DESIGN GROUP
★★★★★
“It is my pleasure to recommend Gaia Banovich with Master Your Mahjong. Over the past three months, we've had the opportunity to work with her at Paloma House, where she has led our Mahjong programming and quickly become a valued part of our community.
From day one, Gaia has been incredibly reliable, communicative, and professional. She is consistently punctual, well-prepared, and brings an enthusiasm to every lesson that makes people excited to learn. Whether introducing complete beginners to Mahjong or helping experienced players sharpen their skills, she naturally makes the game approachable, engaging, and fun for all ages and experience levels.
What stands out most is the care she puts into every interaction. She creates an encouraging, welcoming environment where participants feel comfortable asking questions, building confidence, and genuinely enjoying the learning process. It's clear that she is passionate about sharing her knowledge and helping others discover a love for the game.
I would recommend Gaia without hesitation to anyone looking for an exceptional Mahjong instructor or collaborator. She is knowledgeable, dependable, creative, and a true asset to any organization or community she works with.”
MELISSA DARR, CO-FOUNDER, PALOMA HOUSE
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Beginner-friendly lessons across St. Petersburg and Tampa Bay - private, group, and Zoom. The fastest path from "I'm not sure" to "I love this game."