Angel Leveston’s interest in a game she learned in 2025 has turned into something much bigger.
The Hinsdale resident began playing American Mahjong that year, and it didn’t take long for her to become a fan.
“I fell in love with the game almost immediately, not just because of the strategy, but because of the community it creates,” she said.
Her positive experience prompted her to create the Hinsdale Mahjong Society earlier this year.
“I had fallen in love with American Mahjong myself and kept hearing from people who wanted to learn, but didn’t know where to start or didn’t have a group to play with,” Leveston said “What began as lessons quickly grew into something much bigger: a community centered around friendship, laughter, and spending time together around a table.”
The creation of the Hinsdale Mahjong Society led to the opening in June of the HMS Mahjong Studio in Westmont.
“To my knowledge, it’s the first dedicated mahjong studio in Chicago’s western suburbs,” Leveston said.
She was hopeful, but not sure what the interest level would be in the area, as she was bringing mahjong to the western suburbs and thinking about opening the mahjong studio.
“I started by offering lessons and open play events, and they consistently sold out,” Leveston said. “Waitlists began forming, and I kept hearing the same thing from people: ‘I wish there were more opportunities to play.’ Listening to that feedback ultimately led me to open the studio.”
Hinsdale resident Katie Jump said she initially came across an Instagram account, Hinsdale Cultivate and Grow, which aimed to bring local women together through different events. For her, that was a Mahjong 101 lesson in January that Leveston hosted in her home, prior to the studio opening.
“I really enjoyed the game and wanted to play regularly,” Jump said. “I have two young kids and was working at the time, which meant my personal time was on the back burner. Playing regularly gave me the opportunity to schedule that time for myself.”
Jump said she has been attending HMS pretty much weekly since March.
“Angel has thoughtful table placements — considering players’ skill level, speed, and even common interests,” she said. “I think that’s what sets Angel and the Hinsdale Mahjong Society apart — she is focused on connection and truly gets to know everyone who comes through the door. I’ve built friendships and enjoy the conversations with new people at my table each week.”
Clarendon Hills resident Natasha Nudel said she started playing mahjong six months ago when Leveston began offering lessons in her home.
“I joined because I have friends in North Carolina and Kansas City who mentioned recently about learning how to play mahjong,” Nudel said. “I wanted to know what the hype was about. Plus, after years of signing up my kids for all sort of activities, mahjong gets to be a hobby of my own.”
Nudel said playing mahjong was incredibly perplexing at first for her.
“But once I got the hang of it, I enjoyed the challenge of learning something new and thinking differently,” she said.
Now, Nudel comes to the mahjong studio most weeks to play.
“I love the regularity of playing mahjong at HMS because it’s a chance to get better at the game, but also to socialize with neighbors and new friends, whom I might not otherwise see,” she said.
“I highly admire Angel’s commitment to not only spreading the joy of mahjong, but to creating a space for people to meet. She’s connecting our community, and we’re individually, and as a whole, better for it.”
Since launching the Hinsdale Mahjong Society, the group has welcomed hundreds of players through lessons, events, and open play, Leveston said, adding that the new membership program continues to grow.
“Our classes, sessions, and special events regularly sell out,” she said. “I’m excited to keep expanding opportunities for people to play.”
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Multiple opportunities to play are offered throughout the week, and the HMS attracts players of various experience levels.
“One of the things I pride myself on, that has truly become a hallmark of HMS, is intentionally matched tables according to play level,” Leveston said. “Some members have never touched a mahjong tile before their first lesson, while others have played for years. One of the things I’m most proud of is how welcoming experienced players are to newcomers; we truly have such a wonderful community.”
Leveston said everyone is welcome to play with the HMS, and members come not only from Hinsdale and nearby towns, but also from throughout the Chicagoland area.
“People have been willing to travel because they’re looking for both high-quality instruction and a welcoming community,” she said.
So far, the Hinsdale Mahjong Society has exceeded Leveston’s expectations.
“Summer programs sold out, fall programs are selling quickly, waitlists formed, and watching complete strangers become friends around the table has been incredibly rewarding,” she said. “Seeing people leave saying, ‘I can’t wait until next week,’ is exactly why I started this.”
Additional Information and registration are at hinsdalemahjongsociety.com.
Chuck Fieldman is a freelance reporter for Pioneer Press.