(Head adult instructor)

Sensei Charlie graduated from West Seneca East High School 1989 , joined the United States Air Force in November 1989 and was operational during Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm.  Following discharge from active duty, Sensei Charlie continued as a firefighter in the Air National Guard for 3 years while going to nursing school at D’Youville College. There he met his long time friend and now wife, Kathy. Following Nursing school, Sensei Charlie spent a little time working in St. Petersburg, Florida and Binghamton, NY before deciding to go back to college for his master’s degree as a Family Nurse Practitioner at Niagara University.  After finishing his degree, he joined Dr. Robinson Family Practice in Hamburg, N.Y. and has been treating patients since 2000.

In January 2001 Sensei Charlie decided he needed something more in life and started taking martial arts as exercise and something fun to do. Since that time he has lost 50 pounds and has achieved much more than he thought possible both mentally and physically. Sensei Charlie attained his first-degree black belt (Shodan) in May of 2004 which was one of the toughest and most gratifying achievements in his life. With dedication and continued training over the next 4 years he was promoted to (Nidan) second-degree black belt in January 2008. 

Following his achievement he decided to take the next step in his life, owning and teaching Karate in his own school with his partner Sensei John Lutz. The prospect of being in martial arts for the rest of his life and making further advancements in the arts is very appealing to him.

Self discipline, mental, physical and spiritual growth are all things Sensei Charlie finds in the arts. He is very passionate about helping others find and achieve their goals in life. This has helped me in my daily life and in my job as a healthcare provider.  I have chosen to live by the principles of black belt, modesty, courtesy, integrity, self-control, perseverance, and indomitable spirit!!!!

Sensei John Lutz graduated from Lackawanna High School in 1974 excelling in football and several other sports. After graduation, he joined Alcor Envelope in 1975 as a die cutter and through the years eventually advanced to Plant Manager. Sensei John managed six supervisors and over 80 employees. Six years after the company was sold to National Envelope, he decided to retire. Today, Sensei John owns and operates North Boston Liquors with his wife Karen.  They have four children and seven grand children, four of which are involved in the martial arts.

 Shihan Valerie: Chief Instructor,Yamanoshita Suenaka Aikido (Godan)
 

Shihan Valerie is a 5th. degree black belt (Godan) in Suenaka-ha Aikido, and a student of Wadokai Aikido founder Sensei Roy Y. Suenaka. Suenaka Sensei was a direct student of Morihei Ueshiba (O'Sensei), the founder of Aikido. Shihan Valerie began studying Aikido in 1992 at Aikido of Richmond, Virginia. She established a dojo in Seattle,WA in 1999, and taught in Charlotte, NC while living there. In addition to leading the Yamanoshita dojo, she teaches classes at Kin-Tora Martial Arts in Buffalo.

Her first martial art was Judo, which she began practicing in 6th. grade with her father, Jesse Wang (a national-level Judo referee). She also practices Bakbakan Kali Illustrisimo as taught by Punong Guro Peter Lewis.

Shihan Valerie believes that with sincere, consistent, and mindful practice, combined with good teaching and determination, almost anyone can learn to defend themselves and others with Aikido. And that along the way, students will develope physical coordination, awareness, strengh of character, and compassion that will help them in everyday life.

Sensei Bailey is our first junior instructor at Crossroads Martial Arts.
Bailey started martial arts at the young age 3, he is now 12 years old and is sensei John's number 1 student. Bailey is a great example of what a child can accomplish with hard work and dedication.  Bailey attends Frontier middle school and is currently on the honor roll. He also enjoys playing the saxaphone in the school band.
Bailey enjoys helping teach and is becoming a great asset to our DoJo. Bailey presently holds the rank of Jr Black belt with a red stripe, this is our highest Jr belt ranking. Bailey knows all the Isshin ryu hand kata's and several weapons kata's, he has also begun training in Aikido.  Sensei Bailey is also Sensei John's Grandson.

 

                                                                                                                                                                                                             Sempai Dave                                                           
 Dave started his formal training in martial arts in 1989 in Okinawa Japan while in the United States Marine Corps. He trained directly under Shorinryu karate Grandmaster Eizo Shimabuku. Concurrently Dave was also training in Muay Thai. In 2006 Dave met Sensei Eric Joseph and started training in Wadokai Aikido under founder Sensei Roy Suenaka and is currently training with Sensei Mike Hawley. Dave also is training in Judo under Sensei's Sal Barone and Bill Gugino. In 2009 Dave started his Isshinryu Karate training at Crossroads Martial Arts under Sensei Greg Ahrens. Dave Has been asked By Sensei Charlie and Sensei John to help with training in our childrens Judo and Grappling programs. Dave brings a vast amount of knowledge to the program and is an important part of our team.

                                                                                                                                         

Julie francis 

Hi, I'm julie francis and I love teaching Zumba classes. The reason is simple: Every class feels like a party! Come join me and you'll see what I mean. You don't even have to know how to dance. Just move your body and follow my lead. It's easy! Currently, I'm licensed to teach . Check out my class schedule. Or click below to send me an e-mail and I'll get in touch with you. Come try it, I guarantee you will have a blast! I look forward to meeting you!

jaw.jaf@verizon.net