Meet Our Instructors

Sensei Anita Katzberg

Sensei Anita Katzberg

X
Sensei Anita Katzberg

Sensei Anita Katzberg

Name: Sensei Anita Katzberg
Position: Head Instructor
Martial Arts Credentials: 3rd Degree Black Belt

Reason You Started Martial Arts: I chaperoned my little sister to Japan for her fight. I was so impressed when she walked out, I saw so much determination in a powerful, strong and skilled woman. At the same time, she was such kind and soft lady, I was truly inspired. I also joined for fitness and to lose weight.

Words to Live By: Integrity, Courage, Loyalty, Discipline.
“you have not lived today until you have done something for someone who can never repay you!!” -John Bunyan

Other Hobbies: Reading, movies, tennis, music, spending time with pets, sewing, dancing

Favorite Technique: Spinning Back Kick, Side Kick

What It’s Like Working In A Martial Arts School: Rewarding and empowering. One can change peoples lives by educating them on attitude, confidence and setting goals.

Sensei Chris Hanna

X

Sensei Chris Hanna

Name: Sensei Chris Hanna
Position: Instructor
Martial Arts Credentials: 3rd Degree Black Belt

Reason You Started Martial Arts:To train and motivate my children. Inspired by Bruce Lee.

Words to Live By: “Feed it and it will grow”.

Other Hobbies: Boating and skiing

Favorite Technique: Spinning back kick, sweeps

What It’s Like Working In A Martial Arts School: It’s very cool, you get to meet lots of people, all ages. As an instructor you become a mentor to some, a role model to others, you draw inspiration from everyone and share with all. It makes me a better person. Being fit is a great feeling.

joel zapata

Sensei Joel Zapata

X
joel zapata

Sensei Joel Zapata

Name: Sensei Joel Zapata
Position: Instructor / Fight Team Coach
Martial Arts Credentials: 3rd Degree Black Belt

Reason You Started Martial Arts:3rd Degree Black Belt.

Words to Live By: Respect, Love, Honesty, Humility, Integrity, Courage.

Other Hobbies: Soccer, Basketball

Favorite Technique: Spinning back kick, Round kick

What It’s Like Working In A Martial Arts School: Great environment, Friendly people. It’s great to train after a long day of work.

Sensei Sia Kaskamanidis

X

Sensei Sia Kaskamanidis

Name: Sensei Sia Kaskamanidis
Position: Instructor
Martial Arts Credentials: 3rd Degree Black Belt. Been Training for almost 20 years, teaching for 13 years. Competed in 8 tournaments. Competed in 5 ring fights.

Reason You Started Martial Arts: To be less shy. To challenge myself. To learn that I am worthy.

Words to Live By: “Seek your purpose to live and never stop. In the process you will motivate others to do the same”.

Other Hobbies: Reading books that are inspiring. Road trips that are adventurous. Renovations. Spending time and walking my new dog.

Favorite Technique: Jump Spinning Hook Kicks, Leading Jump Spinning Hook Kicks, Helicopter Kicks

What It’s Like Working In A Martial Arts School: It does not feel like work. It is like getting paid doing a hobby. Seeing the positive impact, it has on people inspires me to never stop working. Serving the public to empower them through our program is so rewarding I feel complete. I cannot imagine not doing this.

Sensei Shirin Dordar

X

Sensei Shirin Dordar

Name: Sensei Shirin Dordar
Position: Instructor, Personal Trainer, Cardio Instructor
Martial Arts Credentials: 3rd Degree Black Belt, she has earned multiple gold medals from full contact Karate fights. She is the representative for all female SKF martial artists in Iran.

Reason You Started Martial Arts: When we are young our visions are quite different from wen we are older. Though I have been on an amazing journey from the age of 15, I haven’t put faith in number when it comes to age. I am very much deeply involved in my journey and this has made me very confident in who I am and what I have to share with everyone. As in most sports, I believe that there is a championship in life. Considering how frequently we encounter obstacles that require courage, self-discipline, self confidence, knowledge and will power, it is a process of victories and defeats. We all want victories in our lives, so we should learn to face the obstacles that lay before us without hesitation. Of course I started martial arts at the age of 15 under the influence and instruction of my brothers, Grand Master Farhad Dordar and Master Farid Dordar!

Words to Live By: “To accomplish great things, we must not only act, but also dream. Not only plan, but also dream”.

Other Hobbies: Weight lifting, rock climbing, professional make up artist and hair dresser, salsa dancing, playing musical instrument’s, hiking, bicycling, swimming.

Favorite Technique: Jump Side Kick, Spinning Hook Kick

What It’s Like Working In A Martial Arts School: Every day I get to meet fantastic kids and adults who are seeking something. Its different for everyone to improve their lives. I keep track of student’s attendance and every individuals progress in their training. Everyone here is like family to me.

Angela Oldknow

X

Angela Oldknow

Name: Angela Oldknow
Position: Instructor
Martial Arts Credentials: Low-Black Belt

Reason You Started Martial Arts: I wanted my (at the time) 6-year-old son in martial arts. I found both my 3-year-old and I could also train at the same time.

Words to Live By: “Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard!”.

Other Hobbies: Soccer, Gaelic Football, Cycling, Trail running

Favorite Technique: Helicopter Kick

What It’s Like Working In A Martial Arts School: Energizing! No matter what kind of day I’ve had, as soon as I walk in the door, I’m excited to see everyone here, see their improvements, see what their goals are and what they want to work on.

Sharon Taylor

X

Sharon Taylor

Name: Sharon Taylor
Position: Cardio Instructor
Martial Arts Credentials: 2nd Degree Black Belt, Champions student for 17 years

Reason You Started Martial Arts: Fitness

Words to Live By: “kindness is the language which the deaf can hear and the blind can see.” -Mark Twain

Other Hobbies: Music, Running, Reading, Pina Coladas, getting caught in the rain.

Favorite Technique: Spinning Hook Kick

What It’s Like Working In A Martial Arts School: You make great friends and are inspired by many students & peers.

Kristina Farkasova

Kristina Farkasova

X
Kristina Farkasova

Kristina Farkasova

Name: Kristina Farkasova
Position: Instructor
Martial Arts Credentials: 1st Degree Black Belt (AI3)

Reason You Started Martial Arts: I was inspired after watching a family friends testing. I have loved Martial Arts ever since my first intro lesson. I defiantly feel at my best when I am training.

Words to Live By: “Your mind is stronger than your body. Even when the body wants to give up, the mind never gives up.”

Other Hobbies: Running, Singing, Travelling & spending time with my family and dogs.

Favorite Technique: Side Kick

What It’s Like Working In A Martial Arts School: I get to work alongside some of my best friends and mentors. There are always new things to learn.

Matthew Cotton

Matthew Cotton

X
Matthew Cotton

Matthew Cotton

Name: Matthew Cotton
Position: Jiu-Jitsu Instructor
Martial Arts Credentials: Blue Belt, 6 Years training in Mauy Thai Kickboxing & Pankration. 3 Years Training Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu

Reason You Started Martial Arts: Ninja Turtles

Words to Live By: “Be careful of your thoughts when you are alone & be careful of your words when you are with people”
“All you need is love”.

Favorite Technique: Cross Collar Choke

What It’s Like Working In A Martial Arts School: It’s a sanctuary, Everything outside, problems/ stresses Disappear and I find peace of mind, fun & good people.

Sean Lindsay

Sean Lindsay

X
Sean Lindsay

Sean Lindsay

Name: Sean Lindsay
Position: Jiu-Jitsu Instructor
Martial Arts Credentials: Purple Belt, Ribeiro Jiu-Jitsu Association

Reason You Started Martial Arts: To improve my health and better myself as a person

Words to Live By: “it doesn’t matter if you are a champion on the mats if you are not a champion in your life.” -Saulo Ribeiro

Other Hobbies: Travelling, Cycling

Favorite Technique: Bow and Arrow Choke

What It’s Like Working In A Martial Arts School: It is nothing short of a privilege to be able to share jiu-jitsu with people.

Sensei Steve Read

Sensei Steve Read

X
Sensei Steve Read

Sensei Steve Read

Name: Sensei Steve Read
Position: Sparring Instructor
Martial Arts Credentials: 2nd Degree Black Belt, 15 Years of experience. 3x Gold medalist SKF 1x Gold Medalist Sport Jujitsu

Reason You Started Martial Arts: To stay fit and have fun competing in competitive sport.

Words to Live By: “Do anything with passion and amazing results will follow”.

Other Hobbies: Playing with my 2 beautiful girls and watching superhero movies

Favorite Technique: Superman Punch, spinning hook kick is a close second

What It’s Like Working In A Martial Arts School: Fun and exciting to see each student make amazing strides in their training.

Sir Irveen Estrella

X

Sir Irveen Estrella

Name: Sir Irveen Estrella
Position: Instructor
Martial Arts Credentials: 1st Degree Black Belt

Reason You Started Martial Arts: Change myself and push beyond my limits.

Words to Live By: “Trust the journey”.

Other Hobbies: Basketball

Favorite Technique: Jump Spinning Hook Kick

What It’s Like Working In A Martial Arts School:I have to opportunity to see our students grow daily. whether if they want to be more confident, stronger, or even become a better individual. Is always a pleasure to see people grow.

tonya wheatley

Sensei Tonya Wheatley

X
tonya wheatley

Sensei Tonya Wheatley

Name: Sensei Tonya Wheatley
Position: Cardio Instructor
Martial Arts Credentials: 2nd Degree Black Belt

Reason You Started Martial Arts: Originally I came for share the art week with a friend, then I was instantly hooked on the idea of being a 2nd degree black belt like the instructors. I never thought of just being a black belt…2nd degree was always my main goal.

Words to Live By: “You are only as strong as you allow yourself to be, never get discouraged, never give up, because consistency & dedication are the keys to success and your courage will fight your fears”.

Other Hobbies: Hiking, running, traveling, doing anything I haven’t done before.

Favorite Technique: Spinning back kick

What It’s Like Working In A Martial Arts School: It’s amazing to be surrounded by surrounded by like-minded motivated people…This isn’t a place of work though its my home away from and people here are my second family.