Chief
Instructor, Marty Callahan, Fifth Dan. Sensei
Callahan began his training in 1970 at the
University of California at Riverside and was
promoted to the rank of Fifth Dan in 1993.
A “B” ranked judge with ISKF/JKA,
in 1997 he also earned his Instructor's Certificate
from the Japan Karate Association, and in 1998
he qualified as a certified JKA Examiner. He
has been Chief Instructor for ASK since 1981
and served as Director of the ISKF Northwest
Region from 1984 until February of 1998. As an
adjunct faculty member of Santa Rosa Junior College
, he also teaches karate classes through the
Department of Physical Education.
Jennifer Kruszynski, Third Dan, Senior
Instructor.
After beginning her training
at Santa Rosa Junior College in 1988, Ms. Kruszynski
earned the rank of Third Dan in May of 1999.
She began her teaching at ASK as an assistant
for the youth classes, and has since taught both
youth and adults. A spirited competitor, she
has won awards at numerous regional and national
meets.
Ann Chung Hollinger, Third Dan, Senior
Instructor.
Ms. Chung has been training
at ASK since 1991. A lawyer and graphic arts
student, she lives in Santa Rosa with her husband
Gary and their German Shepherds, Fritz and Ubi.
Eric Metz, Third Dan, Instructor.
Mr. Metz began his training
under Sensei Callahan at the local YMCA. As a
youth he competed in many tournaments, locally
and nationally and began assisting and teaching
as well. As managing instructor of ASK he is
in constant contact with the other instructors
discussing ways to expand and advance the training.
Karen Mac Donald, Second Dan, Instructor.
Ms. Mac Donald, a native of
Ontario , Canada , began her training at in 1984.
After moving to California she started training
at ASK Karate in 2001. She currently teaches
the Saturday morning kids class and as a certified
instructor for the Martial Arts for Peace Program,
she teaches about non-violent conflict resolution.
Samantha Buckwalter, First Dan, Instructor.
Ms. Buckwalter is a recent
graduate of ASK's instructor training program
and at 16 years old is already and experienced
instructor and competitor. She started her teaching
at ASK over two years ago, and is currently assisting
Ms. Kruszynski in her youth classes. In 2003
she took a first place (kumite) and a second
place (kata) at the ISKF nationals, just weeks
before competing at a national tournament for
swing dancing.
Jafet Contreras, First Dan, Associate
Instructor.
Mr. Contreras started helping
out with the kids classes over two years ago
and continues to assist the kids and youth classes
regularly. He just recently received his Shodan
in December of 2003.
Bruce Hiner, Second Kyu, Associate Instructor.
Bruce has been teaching a program
at North Valley School for over three years now.
Bruce has conducted many studies on the effects
of Shotokan karate as well as the effects of
the Martial Arts for Piece programs, for which
he is a certified instructor.
Cogen Bohanec, Second Kyu, Associate
Instructor.
Cogen started his training
at the Santa Rosa Junior college , and although
he has some experience training in other martial
arts, he thinks Shotokan is the best!. Cogen
has been teaching the Monday kids classes for
many months now, and is currently teaching classes
at the Kids Street Learning Center after school
program and the R.L. Stevens Cool School after
school program.
Al Fassio, First Dan, Assistant Instructor.
Mr. Fassio is currently assisting
in the Tuesday 5:30 class, and is often seen
helping students with their Kata's before and
after class. He will be testing for his Associate
Instructor certificate this year, and is also
training hard to take his Nidan test in December.
Jeff Frost, Third Kyu, Assistant Instructor.
Jeff is currently helping with
the Wednesday kids classes as well as assisting
in some of the beginning adult classes. One of
his goals for 2004 was to get better at instructing,
and he is well on his way to teaching his own
class.
Matt Morel, Third Kyu, Assistant Instructor.
Amidst his extremely busy schedule,
Matt finds time to assist and teach the Saturday
morning kids class with his wife Ms. Mac Donald.
Matt feels that his experiences teaching have
been valuable, and the kids love him.
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