To be added later.
Kevin Malady
1971 to 1972, I studied Isshinryu Katate in Buffalo, NY at a local college
1973 to 1977, I studied JKA, Shotokan Karate Mr. Singiru Takashina at the University of Miami and at his Fort Lauderdale Dojo. I received my Shodan rank in May of 77. I was on a task force to teach weapon defense to the Coral Gables police department. They were having a problem with gang using nunchaku and tonfa as their weapon of choice. During this year I took advantage of my instructor's knowledge of Kendo to learn a little of its movements and basics. Although I have never taken weapons as a formal instruction, we would work out after class regularly with him if we wanted to, I never missed an opportunity.
1977 to 1979, Started karate classes while teaching at Oak Grove-Coburn.
1979 to 1983, I was the head instructor at Richard Dick's dojo. During the last two summers there, Richard brought in a fourth degree JKA instructor for summer camp. Mr. Tanaka, was great. I went to every class (even the lower belt classes) attending 12 hours of karate a day for the 5 days. I tested with him, and recieved my Nidan rank. In 1983, I parted ways with Richard.
1983 After leaving Richard Dick's dojo, I would work out in the school gym and try to keep my skills up. When I told former students of my training schedule, the first night 25 people showed up. That's how Toh Mo Noh Kia started (the translation of our Karate club meant "we are family because of Karate) That is why I never charged for lessons, the club existed as much for my improvement as for their's During that time we became friends with John Jenkins and had him up for two summer camps at Oak Grove. This where I improved my weapons techniques the most.
1995 to 2002 I began training with Nelson Vaughn in Brunswick, just to improve my kata and practice with a more knowledgable person.
Ken Walsh
Shihan Ken Walsh began his Martial Arts studies in June of 1986 as Master Javier Dais Piscil’s student practicing Shudokan. Ken developed his foundation in the art practicing with Master Dais for seven straight months, six days a week before Javier left the States to go back to Mexico. In December of 1986, Ken continued his practice and began Club Naha at the New Rochelle Boys & Girls Club of New Rochelle, New York. He started teaching the art to the Club’s youth members and their parents. In February of 1987, Ken was approached to study with the Head Instructor of WonHwa-Do, Kensaku Takahashi of Japan in the Tarrytown Dojangs. Ken practiced with Kensaku’s Black Belts until 1992 receiving his Black Belt on January 29, 1989. Ken incorporated the Wonhwa-Do system and the Shudokan system in the Naha Club. In the late 80’s, he also developed relationships and practiced with Tommy May, Isshin Ryu, Sifu Bonnie Lim — Ngo-Chu, Ken Parker — Judo, Dennis Campo — Tae Kwon-Do and Professor Vee Veearnis. Some of the techniques are now incorporated within the study of Club Naha.
As the relationships with other styles continued, after confirming with Master Tommy May and Ken’s students Dennis Racanello and Bob Grubert, he developed the Hensan-Ryu system to be the style of Club Naha, which incorporates all of the above styles but predominantly Shudo Kan and WonHwa Do.
Sensei Walsh moved from New Rochelle, New York and accepted the job as Executive Director of the Waterville Area Boys & Girls Club in Waterville, Maine. He brought the Hensan-Ryu system to the Club and opened his second Club Naha school. Meanwhile, his first promoted Black Belt, Dennis Racanell directed the school in New Rochelle. In Waterville, Club Naha opened its doors in March of 1992 with six students. It has grown to hundreds. Ken continues to explore and practice with other Martial Artists and travels each year to Puerto Rico to practice with Master Dr. Michael Panzardi — a Black Belt Hall of Famer and student of Bruce Lee.
Sensei Craig Sargent has also taken the lead along with Sensei Bob Hartley in exploring other styles and has incorporated the new studies in Club Naha classes. Some of which are You Li Long Zhi Doa, Kickboxing, Aikido, Tang Soo Do and Shoto Kan.
Dana Vaillancourt
Seventh Dan
Tang Soo Do Moo Duk Kwan, GM Jae Joon Kim
For more information, visit his website at: http://vkoreanmartialarts.com/index.html
Wes Andrenyak
I am the chief instructor for the Aikido Class at the Waterville Boys and Girls Club. The program has been ongoing here in Waterville since 1997. I am also the chief instructor for the Mid Coast Aikido Club in Brunswick, Maine which has been in existence since 1988. I took over as chief instructor there in 1994. I have studied Aikido beginning in 1976 at Hwang's Martial Schools in Connecticut, achieving the rank of 2 kyu under Sensei Ted Tine, up until I moved to Maine in 1987.
I found Doug Fletcher Sensei, who was teaching at the Brunswick Naval Air Station and began to study with him. I was promoted to 1st Dan in 1994 and took over the class from him when he was deployed overseas. The club at the Naval Air Station moved out into the community and became the Mid Coast Aikido Club in 1997. We maintain a great relationship with Fletcher Sensei and consider his school in Jefferson, New Hampshire as our sister school. I have worked in the field of corrections for 30 years and was responsible for helping redesign the unarmed self defense instructor and basic corrections school programs in both Connecticut and Maine.