William N. Valavanis (born September 3, 1951), is a Greek-American bonsai master who carries on Yuji Yoshimura's tradition of teaching Japanese techniques and aesthetics to enthusiasts in the West.
The following year Valavanis graduated from The State University of New York Agricultural and Technical College at Farmingdale, Long Island, NY with a degree in Ornamental Horticulture.
A degree in Floriculture and Ornamental Horticulture from Cornell University followed in 1976 on the heels of several months study at Yuji Yoshimura's School of Bonsai in Briarcliff Manor, New York.
[5] Workshops and teaching Beginning in 1981 and running through 2011 Valavanis hosted a two- to four-day long annual seminar/workshop in September on a given type or style of tree.
Valavanis has made TV appearances in North America, Japan, Korea, Italy, and Australia as part of his well-prepared workshop and lecture presentations.
This latest show had the exhibition area and room for 30 vendors occupying the equivalent of two football fields, 55,000 square feet of space.
[13] In 2012 he authored the large format book Fine Bonsai: Art & Nature (NY: Abbeville Press, ISBN 978-0789211125), which has 596 digital color photos (including 4 gate folds) by Jonathan M. Singer.