Ilene J. Smoger Sensei, the director of training for the Club, who has been training since 1975, holds the rank of  Rokudan, 6th dan black belt, given to her directly by Eizo Shimabukuro O'Sensei in the Shorin Ryu Karate system. O'Sensei also awarded her the rank of Sandan, 3rd dan black belt, in Toei Jujutsu. Smoger Sensei also holds the rank of Godan, 5th dan black belt, in the Shudokan Karate system given directly  to her by Shibucho Walter Todd when he was alive and in 2005 she was awarded Shichidan, 7th dan black belt, in Shudokan Karate by the Todd family at the expressed wishes of the late Shibucho Walter Todd.

Smoger Sensei began her martial arts training in Ann Arbor, Michigan, in 1975 under Garrick Hu Sensei, the Director of Training at the Asian Martial Arts Studio.  She was also instructed there by Karl Scott III Sensei, who is currently  Co-Shibucho in the U.S. Shudokan Karatedo system.  Smoger Sensei continued her training with Barbara Christensen Sensei from Ann Arbor, Michigan. Smoger Sensei was Christensen Sensei's first student.  Barbara Christensen Sensei, who holds the rank of Rokudan, 6th dan black belt by Shimabukuro O'Sensei, Yondan, 4th dan black belt, by Todd Sensei and the rank of Shodan, 1st dan black belt, in Aikido, continues to be Smoger Sensei's primary instructor. 

Smoger Sensei teaches martial arts all over the country. She has instructed at  Pacific Association of Women Martial Artists (PAWMA) and at many of the Association of Women Martial Arts Instructor's (AWMAI) conferences. In 2007, she was co-coordinator of the AWMAI conference.  In 1997 she was honored by the World Martial Arts Hall Of Fame as "The Woman Of The Year In The Martial Arts".  In 2004, she received the Sensei of Merit award at the International Martial Arts Symposium in South Carolina.

Under Smoger Sensei's leadership, OKCD is one of Dallas' oldest traditional dojos and the Club has promoted over 48 black belts over the years.  Additionally, there are several affiliated dojos with OKCD in the cities of Atlanta, Arlington, and San Francisco.

Smoger Sensei is a personal injury attorney at the Smoger Law Firm.  She can be reached at  ilene - at - okinawankarateclub.com.

  You can reach Donna at donna - at - okinawankarateclub.com

Sean Deuby has practiced and taught Okinawan Shorin Ryu karate for more than half his life. He holds the rank of godan (5th degree black belt) in Shobayashi Shorin ryu. The late Walter Todd personally conferred the rank of yondan in his Shudokan style to Deuby Sensei in 1998. He also studies under hanshi (10th dan) Seikichi Iha, Director, North American Beikoku Shido-kan Association (Shorin Ryu), whenever possible. Hanshi Iha was Deuby Sensei's original instructor in 1979 until the rank of nidan (2nd degree), which he granted in 1984.  He is co-founder of the Okinawan Karate Club of Dallas, where he has taught since its inception.

Sean is a technical services architect for Intel Corporation, where he focuses on the strategic direction of its worldwide Windows infrastructure. He is an MVP (Most Valuable Professional) for directory services, a distinction awarded by Microsoft to only 70 professionals in the world.  He is also a Contributing Editor for Windows IT Pro Magazine, the author of articles and a book on Microsoft's Windows 2000 & 2003 Server operating systems, and speaks at conferences both nationally and internationally on the topic. He is also the primary webmaster of this site. You can reach Sean at     sean - at - okinawankarateclub.com

Sean has also picked up only his second hobby in 25 years, recurve target archery.

A careful observer will also notice he's married to Sharon Knox Deuby, below.

Brian McCauley, Sempai of the dojo, joined the Okinawan Karate Club of Dallas in 1986, where he began his training in the martial arts. McCauley Sensei was awarded the rank of shodan in Shorin Ryu and Shudokan karate in 1989. Since then, he has taught the adult classes at Okinawan Karate Club of Dallas and currently teaches an intermediate class. He also gives special seminars at the club with a particular interest in teaching bunkai.  McCauley Sensei currently holds the rank of Godan in Shobayashi Shorin Ryu and  Shudokan karatedo.

Brian is the president of Spartan Manufacturing, which processes the silk screen and embroidery of garments.

(That's Hayes Sensei's fist in his solar plexus.)  Brian can be reached at brian - at - okinawankarateclub.com.

Izzadoust Sensei originally studied Shorin Ryu under the Shorin Ryu Kobayashi System as taught by Yamashita Sensei.  After moving to Dallas, he joined our dojo.  He currently holds the rank of  of sandan (3rd degree black) in Shorin Ryu and sandan (3rd degree black belt) in Shudokan.  

He instructs the Sunday class which emphasizes sparring.  Izzadoust Sensei is usually referred to as "Fast Al".

He graduated from Baylor University Dental School and now he is a practicing dentist.  You can read Al at
al - at - okinawankarateclub.com

John Mascio Sensei began studying the martial arts while an undergraduate at Kent State University in 1982. John's first style was Isshin ryu, which he studied in Ohio under Senseis Cerny and Pittak.  While working on his MA/Computer Science, he achieved the student rank of shichikyu.  With Isshin Ryu being his first seriously studied style, it has greatly influenced his martial arts training.  Relocating to Dallas, John began training at OKCD, and was overjoyed to find another school with the same supportive atmosphere and love of learning that his original school had.  He was awarded his Shodan in Shudokan by Shibucho Walter Todd and his Shodan in Shorin Ryu from Smoger Sensei in 1994. On March 24, 2001, John earned the rank of Nidan in both Shorin Ryu and Shudokan karate.  He currently holds the rank of Sandan in Shorin Ryu Karate, Shudokan Karate and Toei Jujutsu.  John has also studied other martial arts styles, including Isshin Ryu, Kung Fu, Tae Kwon Doe, Jujitsu, Aikido, Aiki-jujitsu, Tai Chi, Judo, Jeet Kune Doe, and Wing Chun.

John works for HR Smart, a talent management software company, as a Senior Systems Administrator.     He attributes much of  his success in life to the discipline and training he has received in the martial arts, as well as the support of his wife and family, who encourage his studies.

He lives with his wife, Charrie Mascio, another yudansha at OKCD, and their five cats.   You can reach John at  john - at - okinawankarateclub.com  

Todd Sherry Sensei joined the Okinawan Karate Club of Dallas, along with his son Cale in 1995. Todd was exposed to karate in his teens, when he trained in Shito-Ryu Karate under Sensei Fred Givens.

He has earned his Shodan in 1999 in both Shorin Ryu Karatedo and Shudokan Karatedo and is currently a Sandan.  He was given one of the last Shodan certificates under the late Shibucho Walter Todd.  Todd's son Cale is a shodan at OKCD.

Todd enjoys karate as a source of personal energy and balance in his life. Todd instructs the youth karate classes where he enjoys seeing the growth of body, mind, and spirit within his students.

Todd is an aircraft maintenance technician and crew chief for EDS Corp. He and his wife Christine along with their children Megan and Cale, live in Farmers Branch, Texas.  You can reach Todd at todd - at - okinawankarateclub.com.

Wayne Murphy was first introduced into the Martial Arts at a young age by his father John Murphy, a seventh Dan in Shorin Ryu Okinawa Karate Do., as well as a direct student of Grand Master Eizo Shimabukuro.

In 1989 Wayne became involved with an organization known as Ampgard. It was within this organization Wayne became familiar with the principals of close quarter combat. He spent the next ten years actively practicing with many different types of melee weapons and weapon combinations through full speed one on one and multiple opponent combat using simulated weapons in an effort to understand how each weapon could be effectively applied.

In January of 1999, wanting to further his understanding of martial arts, Wayne came to the Okinawan Karate Club of Dallas to study the original Shobayashi system. Wayne became an avid student and received his Shodan in June 2001 directly from Shimabukuro O'Sensei, his Nidan In July 2003 and his Sandan in 2008. Additionally, through his association with Ilene Smoger, Sensei and the OKCD, Wayne has been fortunate to have trained with many world-renowned instructors and martial arts practioners. He continues to study the Martial Arts and its associated principles.  

Wayne teaches the youth and adult classes on Wednesday nights. 

You can reach Wayne at wayne - at - okinawankarateclub.com

Greg Chesley began his training with OKCD in January of 1999. His first induction into the martial arts began in the late 1980�s studying Goshin Jitsu in Erie, PA.  He holds the rank of Sandan in Shorin Ryu Karate, Shudokan Karate and a Nidan in Toei Jujutsu.

He attributes any of his success to his valued Sensei at OKCD and special thanks to:

Deuby Sensei: For being there in the beginning and showing me a path to walk;

Mullett Sensei: For the support and encouragement to never give up;

Smoger Sensei: For letting me know that �family" can mean more than just a genetic relationship.   

Greg is also referred to as "juice man" by the younger members of our dojo because he buys them their juice.  Additionally, he has organized with Mullett Sensei the production of the new OKCD rank certificates.  Greg teaches the adult Jujutsu class and assists in teaching the children and the other adult classes at OKCD. 

Greg graduated from Mercyhurst College in Erie, PA with a B.A. double major of Finance and Marketing and a minor in Business Administration.  In 1996 he relocated to Dallas and began his career in the healthcare field as a staff accountant. He currently he works for Texas Cardiac Associates as the Chief Executive Officer and can be reached at
greg - at - okinawankarateclub.com

Sharon Knox Deuby's interest in martial arts was sparked by watching Sean Deuby (above) train and then by attending a self-defense class taught by Smoger Sensei in 1984.  She is the sole remaining student from that self-defense class (which naturally transitioned into the Okinawan Karate Club of Dallas) and is the longest practicing student at OKCD.  In 1990, she achieved the rank of  Shodan in Shorin-ryu and Shodan in Shudokan, which were awarded by Shibucho Walter Todd.   Sharon was promoted to Nidan in Shorin-ryu by O'Sensei Shimabukuro in 1993 -  perhaps the only student to achieve this while entering her ninth month of pregnancy!  Although the majority of her training has been at OKCD under Senseis Smoger and Deuby, she has been greatly and gratefully influenced by their teachers �E Senseis Barbara Christensen, Walter Todd, Kirt Butler and Hanshi Seikichi Iha.  

Sharon is an active professional clarinetist who performs with the Dallas Wind Symphony (www.DWS.org),  Arlington Philharmonic, Texas Winds and Plano Chamber Winds.  She has recorded twelve compact discs with the Dallas Wind Symphony on Reference Recordings and can be heard live with these various ensembles in concerts throughout the Metroplex.  She often notes to karate students the similarities in the hard work and discipline that are required to build and maintain your skills in both the musical and martial arts.  You can reach Sharon at
sharon - at - okinawankarateclub.com

Arrash grew up an admirer of the martial arts. As a child, he trained with  his father, who holds four black belts, learning techniques from  Kanzen-ryu, Shotokan, Taekwondo, and Judo, as well as boxing. Later, Arrash took an interest in Taekwondo, and trained privately with a Taiwanese expert. It was not until December of 1996, when Arrash joined  OKC, that he began to focus his efforts toward cultivating his martial arts training in Okinawan Shorin Ryu.  Arrash earned a 1st degree black belt in this style in May of 1999. He was awarded his Nidan in 2002.  Arrash was honored to receive this rank from Grandmaster Shimabukuro directly. 

 In addition to the training that he has received at OKC, he also  notes that he has had the honor to train under the late Master Walter  Todd, Master Iha, Shihan Nick Chamberlain, Sensei Reza Pirasteh, and  Sensei David Chen. Arrash also trains privately with Sensei Yousef in  Brazilian Jujitsu to broaden his scope. 

Paul Klotz began his training with OKCD in July of 1999. His initiation into martial arts began with training in Judo as a young teen, where he achieved the rank of brown belt. He had various brushes with informal training in karate over the years but did not become fully hooked until joining OKCD. Paul attributes getting hooked to the enormous wealth of knowledge accumulated and generously shared by the members of OKCD along with a supportive environment that allowed him to follow his own path. Paul earned his Shodan in Shorin Ryu and Shudokan Karatedo in January 2003 and in March 2005, he was awarded the rank of Nidan

Paul�s daughter Hannah, currently on hiatus from OKCD has also achieved the rank of Sankyu, brown belt and they have enjoyed many hours training together at the dojo.

Paul now teaches the Thursday night adult class and on Tuesday nights he teaches an introduction to Karate class at Executive Fitness in Highland Village. Paul�s focus in class is on learning and improving basic techniques, form, awareness and practical application.

Marcus Guthery joined the OKCD in August 2002. He began martial arts training at the age of 6 and continued throughout high school. Marcus was awarded the rank of shodan in Shito Ryu karate in 1994, under Sensei Robert Zepecki 5th Dan. He has had the honor to train under Ricky Adams, 6th Dan Seito Shito Ryu and the late Richard Ballargeon, 8th Dan Shito Ryu. After and extended layoff from karate while attending college, he felt the desire to resume his martial arts training and came to the OKCD.  In 2005, Marcus earned his Shodan in Shorin Ryu and Shudokan Karatedo.

Marcus characterizes his time at OKCD as most fulfilling.  He believes that his success in training at OKCD is centered on the wealth of knowledge possessed by the OKCD instructors and their desire to share that knowledge.  Marcus believes that Karate is not only a supplement to one�s daily life, but is a blueprint for how daily life should be approached.  He attributes all personal success to hard work, focus, determination, and the pursuit of perfection.

Marcus was born in northeast Arkansas and lived there until going to the University of Missouri.  Marcus moved to the Dallas area in 2001 when he began working as a financial analyst for Arbor Commercial Mortgage, LLC. He currently works in the same industry for Amerisphere Multifamily Finance, LLC. Ariel Guthery, Marcus�s wife, has also been training at OKCD since late 2002.   She is currently a Brown Belt and fully supports her husband�s Karate training. You can reach Marcus at
marcus - at - okinawankarateclub.com

Michael Longfellow joined the OKCD in April, 2003. He began martial arts training in 1989 in San Diego and trained under Grandmaster Jerry Devine. He trained and assisted junior classes in Wa Shin Ryu Karate until 1994. This school focused on philosophical and cultural aspects of karate do as well as a blend of Japanese forms. He left San Diego as a nikyu and moved to Sherman in 1995. In 1999, he began training in Tae Kwan Do with Rick Arnold, 6th dan in Sherman, Texas and was awarded a shodan in 2001.

Michael works in the Dallas area with New Horizons Computer Learning Centers as a Principal Instructor in graphics and Internet classes. He has been married 28 years to his wife Marcy and they have a 12 year old daughter, Chanan in Sherman, Texas.  You can reach Mike at mike - at - okinawankarateclub.com

Constance An joined OKCD in January 2001. Prior to joining, she worked part time for 5 years as a Personal Trainer and Spin Instructor for the YMCA and a private gym. She had always wanted to do martial arts since elementary school but was not allowed. Throughout her youth, any martial arts was forbidden so she secretly checked out Karate books at her school library. As a New Years Resolution she enrolled at OKCD and learned that no karate book can can compare to having actual OKCD instructors show you the way. Satisfying a long yearning for martial arts, she has found her home here at the OKCD. Constance received her Shodan in Shorin Ryu and Shudokan Karatedo in March, 2005.

Having an engineering and fitness background, Constance enjoys breaking down karate movements into basic physics, biomechanics and efficiencies.

Constance works at Resources Global Professionals, a multi-national consulting services company.  When she is not practicing karate, she enjoys weight lifting, running, cycling. She also enjoys reading and investing in real estate and the stock market. You can reach Constance at constance - at - okinawankarateclub.com

Charrie Mascio, after taking a Karate Aerobics class for a couple of months, finally decided to join OKCD in May 2001.  Growing up in a Philippine community with a large number of Chinese, she became fascinated with the martial arts.  During her anesthesiology residency, she was recruited to move to the U.S. as a physical therapist, and eventually met her husband, John, who exposed her to Judo and Okinawan Karate.  In 2006, Charrie earned her Shodan in Shorin Ryu and Shudokan Karatedo.

Since becoming a brown belt, she has developed an interest in weapons, with the bo being her favorite, especially bo kumite.  She wants to expand on her knowledge of the bo, as well as some other weapons not practiced currently at OKCD.  Charrie also has somel background in Judo.

Her other interests include Pilates, languages and reading.  She attributes much of her power to the core strength that Pilates develops.

Charrie is a contract physical therapist and works in various facilities around the D/FW metroplex.  She is also a registered massage therapist.

Charrie is married to John, who is also a black belt at OKCD; and lives with him and their seven cats in a north Dallas suburb.

Kevin Guzman, has been studying and practicing karate at OKCD since he was 5 years old.  Kevin earned his Shodan (1st degree black belt) in two different sytles of Okinawan karate. Shorin Ryu as handed down by Grandmaster Eizo Shimabukuro, 10th dan and Shudokan as taught by the late Walter Todd, Shibhucho, 8th dan. He was the 6th student under the age of 18 to have obtain this ranking in the first 22 years that the OKCD has existed.

Kevin is the oldest of four boys (Brian, Jason and Sylvan). Brian and Jason are both students of OKCD as well. Sylvan, the youngest will begin karate as soon as he reaches 5 years of age. Kevin's parents, Jose & Sylvia Guzman are strong supporters of their sons' karate training and can often be seen in the dojo.

One of Kevin's favorite drills in karate is kicking.  You will often see him teaching kicking to the younger members of the dojo. 

Frank Gannon first studied martial arts in college, at the Vanderbilt University Tae Kwan Do Club in Nashville, Tennessee. Over the next several years, he "dabbled" in various martial arts, but did not take things seriously until coming to the Okinawan Karate Club of Dallas. As Frank puts it, "Before coming to OKCD, I had a very nice collection of yellow belts."

Frank first visited OKCD during a Tuesday night class in August 2002 and was sold immediately. The combination of serious martial arts training under skilled and experienced instructors in a fun and friendly environment was exactly what he was looking for. Frank has been training at OKCD ever since.

In addition to Karate, Frank also studies Toei Jujutsu with Sensei Greg Chesley and Sensei John Mascio, and studies Arnis with Guru Bruce Jenkins. Frank also assists with the kids� classes.

Frank received his Shodan in Shobashi Shorin Ryu and Shudokan Karate as well as Toei Jujutsu.  He also obtained the rank of  Technical Adviso in Arnis.

Frank�s favorite aspect of the study of martial arts is the way that it blends athletics, self defense, philosophy, and the arts all into one. Frank believes that the emphasis martial arts places on courtesy, hard work, and persistence in the face of adversity is a lesson of value to anyone that is willing to listen.

Outside of the dojo, Frank enjoys golfing, weight lifting, and playing guitar.

Frank is a licensed attorney practicing law in the Dallas-Fort Worth area.

You can reach Frank  at  frank - at - okinawankarateclub.com.

Sean Robinson, with his interest in the arts peaking in late December of 2002 (and based on the explicit instruction of his father), sought out a school which taught the Shorin Ryu system of karate. He soon thereafter began training with OKCD on January 2, 2003. In the absence of any significant training, he received sporadic exposure and insight throughout his childhood, adolescent and young adult years, primarily through discussions with his father; who holds the rank of Yondan in the system of Goju Ryu Shoreikan, and is the direct student of Seikichi Toguchi (who himself leaned Goju Ryu under the direct guidance of the Goju Ryu founder, Chojun Miyagi).  In January of 2008, Sean received his Shodan in Shobayshi Shorin Ryu Karate and Shudokan Karate.

Prior to martial arts, Sean�s athletic yearnings were primarily expressed in his two other passions: football (where he was voted to the All-Central Texas 1st Team as a high school senior) and track (where he competed in the Texas High School State Track & Field Championships prior to training as a member of the University of Texas Track & Field squad as a college freshman). 

He considers his affiliation with OKCD to be valuable beyond concise expression, and he considers the overflowing and selfless generosity of its members (in and out of the dojo) to be a rare and true treasure. 

Sean earned his undergraduate degree from the University of Texas at Austin McCombs School of Business (Accounting), where he also earned his Masters degree from the university�s McCombs Graduate School of Business. He currently works for Cardiology Consultants of Texas as the Chief Financial Officer.

 You can reach Sean at  seanr - at - okinawankarateclub.com.

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* Active Instructors at OKCD

SHODAN

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