As a traditional karate school, we have no paid instructors. All instructors volunteer their time and talents to assist the students in their progression, while they themselves are able to develop as teachers of the martial arts.
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| Sensei Kelly Freeman is the head instructor, and owner, of our dojo. His martial arts training began in Tae Kwon Do, in which he holds a 3rd Degree Black Belt. He also competed in many tournaments, qualifying to compete in Nationals. After studying Tae Kwon Do, he moved on to Daito-Ryu Aiki-Jujutsu and Rim's Hapkido in which he holds 1st degree black belts. Next, he learned the art of Ottawa Kenjutsu, in which he trained seriously for four years. During this time, he spent 18 months studying Shotokan Karate. At age 16, he began his Muay Thai training under a Laotian instructor, which continued for 2 years, as he competed on the amatuer kickboxing circuit in the Midwestern US.
Finally, in 1998, he found Kobayashi Shorin-Ryu Shorinkan Karate. He found that it encompassed much of what he had studied in other martial arts, without any techniques being "watered down." Thankfully, Kyoshi Pat Haley allowed him to begin training under him in Karate as well as traditional Kobudo. He has continued this training for nearly 17 years.
Sensei Freeman has coached numerous students who have medaled in tournaments at all levels, including nationals. He also teaches self-defense classes to many community groups in the area.
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| Sensei Debbie Freeman got her first taste of martial arts in a Kenpo Karate class in college, where she studied physics. After marrying Sensei Kelly in 1998, she, too, began training in Kobyashi Shorin-Ryu Shorinkan Karate under Kyoshi Patrick Haley of Chico, CA. 13 years and 5 children later, she achieved the rank of Shodan. Now a mother of 6, she continues to practice and love the martial arts, with particular attention to the physics and body mechanics involved. She received her Nidan in September 2015.
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| Sensei Tricia, another of our assistant instructors, began training here in 2009, earning her Shodan in 2014. Tricia is currently instructing our Saturday morning beginner class.
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| Sensei Hannah Freeman, one of our assistant instructors, began her martial arts training here at our dojo when it opened in 2008. She spends nearly 15 hours each week at the dojo, practicing her art and assisting with classes. She participated in the USANKF Nationals in 2014, and has received numerous medals in karate tournaments for kata, kumite, and kobudo. Hannah received her Shodan in June 2013. She currently assists in teaching the Monday morning homeschool class.
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| Sensei Anachel is another of our junior instructors who began her training in 2011, receiving her Shodan in September 2015. She currently instructs beginner belts in our Monday homeschool class, from which she has graduated!
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| Sensei Seth Freeman, our youngest junior instructor, began training at our dojo when it opened in September 2008, at the age of 3. He received his Shodan in December 2015. Seth currently assists with teaching our Thursday afternoon classes. He is a talented young student who has competed at the national level and has received many awards for both Kata and Kumite.
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| Sensei Sam is our newest junior instructor. Sam began training at our dojo in 2009, receiving his Shodan in March 2016. Welcome, Sam!
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