The Mahjong Mingle was created to make Mahjong feel welcoming, social, and fun for players at every level.
Through lessons, leagues, events, and curated gatherings, we bring people together around the table to learn, play, connect, and enjoy the game in a relaxed and stylish way.
Our Story
The Mahjong Mingle began with a love for the game and the community it creates.
Mahjong has a special way of bringing people together. It gives friends a reason to meet, strangers a reason to talk, and players a reason to keep coming back to the table.
What started as a simple way to gather has grown into a community built around learning, laughter, friendly competition, and connection.
Today, The Mahjong Mingle offers lessons, leagues, themed events, retreats, and social Mahjong experiences designed to make the game approachable, beautiful, and fun.
At every table, our hope is the same: that players leave feeling more confident, more connected, and excited for the next game.
Meet the Team
Dawn
Founder, Instructor
Dawn is the founder of The Mahjong Mingle and the heart behind the brand. She loves creating Mahjong experiences that feel welcoming, organized, and full of personality. Her favorite part of the game is watching people connect around the table and seeing new friendships form through Mahjong.
Lynzie
Assistant
Lynzie helps keep The Mahjong Mingle running smoothly behind the scenes and at events. She loves Mahjong for the way it brings people together and creates such a fun reason to gather. From player communication to event support, Lynzie helps make every experience feel thoughtful, friendly, and easy to enjoy.
Amy
Instructor
Amy is part of The Mahjong Mingle teaching team and loves helping players build confidence at the table. She brings a patient and encouraging style to every lesson. Amy enjoys Mahjong because it blends strategy, tradition, and connection in a way that keeps the game fun every time you play.
More About the Founder
Hi, I’m Dawn, the founder of The Mahjong Mingle and your soon-to-be favorite Mahjong-obsessed friend.
My love for Mahjong began with a simple desire to spend more time with friends. What started as a casual biweekly game quickly grew into a deep appreciation for the strategy, the traditions, the laughter around the table, and, of course, the beautiful tiles and accessories that make the game feel a little magical.
As our biweekly games brought together old and new friends, I felt inspired to expand beyond my own table and grow a wider Mahjong community, one rooted in connection, warmth and shared joy. The Mahjong Mingle was born from that passion.
I’m based in Northville, Michigan. I serve the surrounding area, and yes, I also travel to teach! I can’t wait to introduce you to the world of Mahjong and help you discover a new favorite way to connect with friends and family.
When I’m not teaching, planning events, or dreaming up the next Mahjong gathering, you might find me practicing calligraphy, drinking coffee, or heading out on my Harley for a cross-country motorcycle ride.
A Place for Everyone at the Table
The Mahjong Mingle is built on approachability, confidence, and connection. We teach in a welcoming way that helps new players feel comfortable while making returning players feel right at home. Our hope is simple: after a Mahjong Mingle experience, you leave feeling more confident, more connected and ready to play again.
Our Mission
Our mission is to create Mahjong experiences where every person feels welcomed, supported, and excited to be at the table.
Through lessons, leagues, events, and community gatherings, The Mahjong Mingle uses Mahjong as a way to bring people together, build confidence, and create meaningful connection.
We believe the best part of Mahjong is not just the tiles. It is the laughter, the learning, the friendships, and the moments that happen around the table.
A Game with History, Beauty, and a Little Bit of Magic
American Mahjong is a distinct version of the game, with its own set of rules and a fascinating history shaped by a diverse range of groups, including Chinese Americans, Air Force officers’ wives, and Jewish American suburban mothers. As early as the 19th century, Chinese immigrants were playing Mahjong in the U.S., often tweaking the rules to better suit their families or social circles. Many of these variations have endured, but the most prominent versions of American Mahjong began to take shape in the 1920s.
During that time, the game was often played according to the rules in the booklet that came with the Mahjong set or the rulebook bought at a local store. Though many of these early variations have since faded into obscurity, two major versions have stood the test of time. The first was developed by spouses of Air Force officers stationed at Wright Field in Ohio. This variation, known as the Wright-Patterson approach, spread to military families worldwide. The second, and perhaps most enduring, was created by the National Mah Jongg League (NMJL) in 1937. This version became particularly popular among Jewish American women, and in the decades surrounding World War II, it became an important social tradition in Jewish communities across the U.S. and beyond.
Today, the NMJL version is known as the “American Version” or “American Mahjong,” and is widely played across various communities in the United States and abroad.
One of the most remarkable things about Mahjong is its ability to transcend borders and cultures, evolving into countless variations around the globe. Each version brings its own unique characteristics to the game, yet all share the same enduring spirit of skill, strategy, and connection
