MAIN INSTRUCTORS OF THE KOBUKAN
Lawrence Vellucci
Lawrence Mark Vellucci has 40 years experience in the martial arts. He spent eight years training in the Far East and is currently the President of the Kobukan Karate Federation with the rank of Hanshi, 8th Degree Black Belt.
He holds the following martial arts ranks: 8th degree Black Belt in Matsumura Shorin - Ryu Karate and Okinawan Hakutsuru White Crane Karate (Hanshi), 4th Degree Black Belt in Okinawan Kobudo, and1st Degree Black Belt in Chinese Kenpo. Hanshi Vellucci has a Masters Degree in Ancient and Classical History and a Masters in Education.
Hanshi Vellucci has published ten books and 15 martial art videos and is a noted seminar speaker. He is a former Marine Officer with several years experience in law enforcement.
Matt Hogan
Sensei Matt has 30 years of experience training in martial arts starting with Okninawan Shorin Ryu at the age of 13. Matt currently holds the rank of
4th degree Black Belt (Yondan) in Matsumura Orthodox Shorin Ryu and Nidan In White Crane. Over the course of his training, he earned rank in a number of different styles including green in Shotokan, 3rd brown in Chinese Kenpo, 1st brown in American Kenpo, and 1st brown in Okinawan Kempo. Additionally, he has trained in Muay Thai and BJJ. Matt has competed in full contact karate and point sparring, having been sponsored by KFC to compete in AAA rated tournaments throughout the North East.
Matt founded the Crane Karate Academy to serve the needs of undeserved populations and to continue sharing the physical, spiritual, and mental benefits of learning martial arts within his community.
Ray Pollard
Ray Pollard began his study of martial arts in 1973 at the age of 21. He studied in numerous schools on Long Island, in Manhattan, and in Chinatown New York City. He spent 3 to 4 years each in schools of Kenpo, Aikido, Eagle Claw, Lama, Hsing-I, Pa Kua, and now White Crane. He also spent more than 15 years actively studying and teaching T'ai Chi, concentrating primarily on Push-Hands practice. Sensei Ray currently holds a 4th Dan in Okinawan White Crane and his dojo is located in Deer Park, NY.
Florianus Josopandojo
Sensei Florianus is originally from Indonesia, he lives and works in Germany at the moment. Martial arts has been a passion for him since middle school which turning into a lifestyle. Florianus likes to explore many kinds of martial arts for his own study and development. In the past he has tried many martial arts. But his main focus of study are Pencak Silat (Indonesia), Allkampf Hapkido (Germany) and mainly Shorin-Ryu Karate and Hakutsuru at Kobukan Karate Federation (USA). He currently holds black belts in Allkampf Hapkido and a Nidan Shorin-Ryu Karate., and Shodan in White Crane
Ferdie (left)
Fritz (right)
Sensei Ferdie, has been serving in the South African Army for 20 years, and has over 30 years experience in the martial arts. He is a 2 time Kickboxing champion in South Africa and holds the following ranks:
Matsumura Shorin Ryu Karate, 3rd Dan; Tenshi Goju NCMA 6th Dan; Shotokan GMAU 2nd Dan; Kickboxing WAKO 3rd Dan.
Sensei Fritz is a 2nd Dan in Shorin Ryu and the owner of Kenpo Kai Karate in the Kannaland area in South Africa . Practicing Martial Arts since 1991. Earning a Shodan in All Styles Kickboxing under Pat Carney. He holds a Nidan in Matsumura Shorin Ryu & is a Certified Muay Thai personal Trainer with Muay Thai USA & a Nesta Certified Muay Thai Fitness Instructor. He also holds a doctorate in Ministry and is a former United Taekwondo Alliance Grand National World Champion.
Marcelo Candido
Sensei Marcelo operates the Kobukan Shorin Ryu Dojo in Petropolis, Brazil. He has over 30 years experience in the Martial Arts and studied Kung Fu ,Quankido, Kendo, Aikido, Krav Maga, Pencak Silat and Shotokan. He currently is a 2nd Degree Black Belt in Matsumura Shorin Ryu. He is married with three children and works as a Fierfighter.
Brando Collins
Sensei Brando Collins has been a professional self-defense instructor for nine years. He has over 20 years’ experience in the martial arts. Sensei Brando holds the following ranks and certifications:
First-degree black belt Manabimasho Jujutsu; Level three self-defense certification, Gendai Goshen Jitsu; American Womens' Self Defense Certified specialist Second Degree (Nidan) black belt, Okinawan White Crane.
Brando has also competed in judo, freestyle wrestling, folk-style wrestling, no Guy grappling, Brazilian jujitsu, and combat grappling. He has taught around the US and internationally. He currently owns and operates the Okinawan-Based Self-defense School in Chicago.
Mikey O’Donohoe
SensieiMikey has been training in martial arts for over 20 years. He holds Shodan rank in Matsumura Shorin Ryu, Matsumura Kobudo and Hakutsuru White Crane. He also holds a Nidan in Shotokan karate. He lives in Cork, Ireland where he works as a technology manager in the Life Science industry.
Kasi Vellucci
Kyoshi Cassondra Lynn Vellucci has 25 years experience in the martial arts and fitness industry. She is currently the Director of Training and Curriculum of the Kobukan Martial Arts Federation and holds the following ranks: 7th Degree Black Belt (Kyoshi) in Okinawan Hakutsuru White Crane and Matsumura Shorin-Ryu karate, and is a Certified Chen Tai Chi instructor.
She is also a certified Personal Fitness Trainer. She also instructs group fitness and Yoga to diverse populations including Seniors and Cancer survivors. Kyoshi Kasi is a certified Reiki Master and Life Coach. She has a Master's Degree in Early Childhood Education as well as a Bachelor's Degree in Human Services Counseling.
Kyoshi Kasi is also the instructor of the YoKi™ Flow Training Program.
Jason Williams
Renshi Jason has over 20 years experience in martial arts. Jason holds a 5th Dan (Renshi) in Matsumura Shorin Ryu, 3rd Degree Black Belt in Hakutsuru White Crane, and a 1st Degree Black Belt in Shudokan Okinawan Karate. Jason has had formal training in San Lok Tae Kwon Do, Combat Hapkido, and Okinawan Kobudo.
Renshi Jason owns and instructs Matsumura Shorin Ryu at the Blue Heron Karate Academy in Thompson Falls, MT. T. Jason is an Idaho Army National Guard veteran and an active member of the Sanders County Montana First Responder community serving as Fire Chief for the Plains City Volunteer Fire Department.
Mike McElroy
Michael McElroy has over 10 years of martial arts experience. Michael holds the rank of 3rd dan in both Shinja Yuuki Ryu and Shinja Buke Ryu under David Skelton. Michael holds a Sandan in Matsumura Seito Shorin Ryu and Nidan in White Crane with the Kobukan Federation. His wife is a 2nd degree black belt in Shinja Yuuki Ryu and Shinja Buke Ryu and 1st degree in Shorin Ryu. Both of his children, Payton and Liam hold black belts. Liam is ranked in Shinja Buke Ryu, Shinja Yuuki Ryu and Shorin Ryu. Liam is actively pursuing a black belt in Hakutsuru. The family that fights together survives together!
Jason Walters
Sensei Jason Walters is a retired US Army Officer and former Green Beret. He has multiple combat tours to Afghanistan and surrounding "Stans". He started his martial arts journey in 1991 in Ryukyu Kempo. His enlistment into the Army in 1992 allowed Jason to train in many different styles of martial arts. Jason holds a Nidan in White Crane, Shodan in Ryukyu Kempo, purple belt in Okinawan kempo and kobudo, and purple belt in Tae Kwon do. He is also a self defense instructor, pistol and tactical rifle instructor.
Jason Henderson
Sensei Jason Henderson started his martial arts training at age 12. His studies include: Wrestling for 36 years (10 as a coach), Karate for 25 years, Wing Chun Kung Fu for 24 years, and Kickboxing for 25 years. Other martial arts include: Tai Chi, Escrima, Brazilian Jiu-jitsu, and Traditional Jiu-jitsu. He currently holds a Nidan in Matsumura Shorin Ryu. Jason is currently working on his Master’s degree in Systems Engineering, and works as a Six Sigma Black Belt for a major automotive supplier. He enjoys spending time with his family, learning and practicing Spanish and Portuguese, and playing the guitar.
Matt Denton
Sensei Matthew Denton has been training with Hanshi Vellucci for several years and has had experience in various styles of Kenpo Karate over the last 25 plus years. He holds a 2nd degree (Nidan) in Okinawan Hakutsuru White Crane.
Gregory Poitras
Hanshi Greg has studied and trained in the martial arts for over 40 years with more than 25 years of teaching martial arts in the Western Pacific, Far and Middle East. He has instructed Military Police in Japan and U.S. Customs Air Interdiction Agents, as a Certified U.S. Customs Defensive Tactics Instructor, in advanced self-defense techniques while performing Southern Border, Central and South American drug interdiction ops.
Hanshi Poitras holds the following ranks: 8th Degree Black Belt (Hanshi) in Matsubayashi Ryu, and a 7th Degree Black Belt in Matsumura Shorin Ryu and Hakutsuru White Crane, in He is a 25 year retired Navy Veteran who has served as a Combat Air Crewman serving more than 17 years in the Western Pacific and Middle Eastern Theaters of Operation. He is currently serving as a Commissioned Federal Law Enforcement Officer with U. S. Customs and Border Protection.
T.J. Gentry
Professor Gentry is a southern Illinois native who began training martial arts in 1984. He holds Hachidan ranking in Renzoku Ju Jitsu, Godan ranking in Budoshin Ju Jitsu, 5th Degree Black Sash ranking in Shaolin Five Animal Kung Fu, Sandan ranking in Kan Shu Kenpo, Shodan ranking in Hakutsuru White Crane Karate, Shodan ranking in Taiki Ryu Judo, and 1st Degree Black Belt ranking in ATA Taekwondo. T. J. is the founding instructor of the sanctioned arts of Shinshi Ryu Ju Jitsu (named Soke in 2001) and Zhan Shi Kung Fu (named Sijo in 2005), and is a certified Tai Chi and Quigong instructor. He is a retired Army Chaplain, and has been in pastoral ministry for over three decades. In addition to his work as a pastor, he also teaches as an adjunct professor at Carolina University's Piedmont Divinity School.
Kurt Fairbank
Sensei Kurt began his career in martial arts at a young age. He started out studying Kempo and was able to become proficient in the Bo staff and Nunchaku; while he worked to achieve a black belt. Life circumstances caused him to interrupt training for years until he discovered a dojo in Plains, MT.
Sensei Kurt then continued his journey in martial arts, this time studying Shorin Ryu under Sensei Jason Williams. Sensei Kurt currently holds a Sandan in Matsumura Shorin Ryu and a Nidan in the White Crane. Kurt and his wife have since taken over ownership of Blue Heron Karate Academy in
Thompson Falls, MT.
Shawn Clapp
Sensei Shawn Clapp has extensive experience in the Martial Arts and began his training in 1982. He currently holds the following ranks, Sandan in Okinawan White Crane, 4th Degree Black Belt in Tai Kung Fu, as well as rankings in Kenpo and Goju Ryu karate. Sensei Shawn is a former Marine with experience serving in US embassies overseas. He also has over 15 years’ experience in Law Enforcement as a Police Detective, Air Marshall, and Special Agent for various Federal agencies.
Sensei Shawn currently resides in Anchorage Alaska where he operates a fitness gym and martial arts school with his wife. He is also a ISSA certified Powerlifting coach and fitness trainer.
Matt Thornburg
Sensei Matt has trained with Hanshi Vellucci for 13 years. He hods a 4th Degree in both Matsumura Shorin Ryu AND Okinawan Hakutsuru White Crane, which is a significant accomplishment. He has bee training in Martial Arts for nearly 40 years and currenly resides in Lancaster, CA.
Scott Bendell
ensei Scott Bendell is a Licensed Acupuncturist and Daoist Medical Qigong Practioner in the state of NJ for the past 17 years and has been studying martial arts for over 26+ years and teaching for the past 17 years. Scott has studied many martial arts over this time but has focused on the internal arts of Hakutsuru (Okinawan White Crane), Daoist Primordial Taijiquan, and Mt. Qingcheng Baguazhang. He also teaches Meditation, Qigong and Neigong learned from two Grandmasters in order to promote health and healing of mind, body, and spirit.
Sensei Scott currently holds a 4th Dan (Yondan) in Hakutusuru, Sifu/teacher levels in Taijiquan and Baguazhang, 1st Dan in Matsumura Seito Shorin Ryu, and 1st Dan black belt in TaeKwondo/Hapkido, Mt. Qingcheng Daoist Medical Qigong teacher and Practitioner.
Ulf Nilsson
Sensei Ulf has been involved in martial Arts since he was a teenager. In his youth, he focused on Taekwondo and Hapkido, but also has experience in Aikido, JKD, and Wing Chun. Sensei is also ranked in the art of Baguazhang. He has a first degree Black Belt in Hakutsuru White Crane and he finds the art deep, fascinating and especially effective art. He currently resides in Landskrona, Sweden.
Rodney Robertson
Sensei Rodney Has been studying Martial arts for 40 years. He is holds the following ranks: 1st Dan Okninawan White Crane, 7th Dan in Hapkido,7th Dan in Mudukwan Tae Kwon Do. He also holds brown senior in kobudo and has been traing in Tai Chi for 10 years. He owns and operates a dojo in Orlando, FL with his wife who also teaches yoga.