|
Hiroshi Ikeda, 7th Dan, Boulder Aikikai
Hiroshi Ikeda is the founder and chief instructor of Boulder Aikikai. He began studying Aikido in 1968 as a student at Kokugakuin Univeristy in Tokyo, where Mitsugi Saotome Sensei was an instructor. Ikeda Sensei moved to Florida in 1978, where Saotome Sensei had relocated. After training two years in Sarasota, he moved to Boulder and founded the Boulder Aikikai. He currently holds the rank of 7th Dan through Saotome Shihan and Aikido World Federation (Honbu Dojo).
|
|
Kevin Choate, 6th Dan, Chicago Aikikai
Kevin Choate is a sixth dan and student of Mitsugi Saotome Sensei and Hiroshi Ikeda Sensei. He has been chief instructor at Chicago Aikikai since 1981 and has earned a reputation for high-quality instruction, always demanding the best from his students as well as himself in his own training. Choate Sensei teaches as a senior instructor for Aikido Schools of Ueshiba (ASU) and travels frequently to conduct Aikido seminars across the country and overseas. He has trained thousands of Aikido students in the Chicago area, including classes for senior citizens, youth, actors, and dancers. Choate Sensei is also a Certified Instructor of the Russian Martial Art Systema.
|
|
Maureen Browne, 5th Dan, Fox Valley Aikikai
As a student at NIU, Maureen began training in Aikido and Kodokan Judo. In 1975 she continued her Aikido training as one of the founding members of the Midwest Aikido Center, under the direction of Akira Tohei Shihan.
In 1978 Maureen moved to Tokyo, Japan. At Hombu dojo she met and trained with T. K. Chiba Shihan.
Maureen began teaching Aikido at MATS in 1992 and established the Fox Valley Aikikai. In 1994 the Fox Valley Aikikai affiliated with T. K. Chiba Shihan.
Maureen currently holds the rank of 5th Dan, Shidoin in Aikido from Birankai North America and 7th Dan, Professor in DanZan Ryu Jujitsu from the Shoshin Ryu Yudanshakai.
|
|
Hawk Durham, 3rd Dan, Ravenswood Aikikai
Kenneth Hawk Durham began practicing Aikido in 1987 with Hiroaki Izumi Sensei at Texas Tech Aikido Club. In 1990, he moved to Chicago and trained at the Midwest Aikido Center for four years before returning to Texas, where he established the Lubbock Aikido Club with Read Fowler Sensei. Hawk returned to Chicago again in 1999 and took on a permanent class schedule at the Midwest Aikido Center in 2000. On several occasions, he received instruction there from Hayato Osawa Shihan and Shoji Seki Shihan with whom he continues to study to this day. In January 2007, Hawk established the Chase Park Aikido Program and its outreach partner the Ravenswood Aikikai to help build community access to traditional Aikido. He teaches there currently and holds the rank of San Dan.
|
|
Bob Garza, 5th Dan, Sosei Aikido Kyokai
Instructor Roberto (Bob) Garza began his Martial Arts training in 1977 while serving in the United States Marine Corps. In 1990, he joined the Aikido Association of America and was instructed by Shihan Fumio Toyoda and his various instructors. While a part of the Kenshusei program, several black belts left Soshinkan Dojo. Garza Sensei left the Kenshusei program to take over the kids program at Soshinkan Dojo as a 2nd Kyu and has continued teaching ever since. Many of his kids have grown up in the dojo and have gone onto college and also into the military. Some have called the Dojo from Afghanistan and Iraq to thank sensei for his leadership, teachings but most of all his friendship.
|
|
Lisa Tomoleoni, 5th Dan, Aikido Shimboku Dojo
Lisa Tomoleoni holds the rank of Go Dan, received directly from Moriteru Ueshiba, Aikido Doshu. She spent 13 years in Japan training at the Aikido World Headquarters and teaching Aikido professionally at a dojo in Tokyo. She also has yudansha ranking in Judo and Iaido and is a member of the Kenshukan Dojo in Tokyo.
|
|
Art Wise, 6th Dan, Evanston Aikido Center
The chief instructor of the Evanston Aikido Center, Art Wise, is a certified instructor of the USAF. Mr. Wise is one of the founding members of the Midwest Aikido Center in Chicago where he studied Aikido with Akira Tohei Sensei, 8th dan, for twenty- five years. He is an instructor at the Midwest aikido Center, and continues his study of Aikido under the direction of Yamada Sensei.
|
