James L. Guinan Sensei joined the OKCD in July 1988. After a short leave to finish law school, he started training full time with the OKCD in September 1989 and has remained with the dojo ever since. He currently holds the rank of Sandan  (3rd degree black) in Shorin Ryu and Sandan in Shudokan  and teaches the Wednesday night open class.  His favorite kata is Sanchin, followed by Kusanku Sho. His favorite weapon is the bo.  In addition to Shorin Ryu karate, Jim practices Kendo and Iaido with the Dallas/Fort Worth Kendo & Iaido Kyokai. He is also a Sandan in these styles. Before Shorin Ryu, he practiced Pun Gai Non Ryu with Nishiuchi sensei in Omaha, Nebraska, where he is ranked as yonkyu (4th degree student rank). He has a straightforward martial arts philosophy: Everyone is your teacher but yourself.

Jim is an attorney and partner with the law firm of Guinan & Guinan. He's a trial attorney whose primary area of practice is criminal defense cases. You can reach Jim at jgu364@airmail.net .

Frederic, who has been training since 23 years, holds the rank of Sandan, 3th dan black belt, given to him by Sensei JC Vitrac 6^th Dan Shito-Ryu in the European  Shito-Ryu system (also ranked in Judo, Aikido and Iai-do). Frederic also holds the rank of Nidan, 2nd dan black belt, in the all Ryu Jury official World Karate-Do Federation ranking (WKF)

He began his martial arts training in Paris, in 1978 instructed by Tade Halwcezick, 5^th Dan Shotokan Ryu and Kobudo under supervision of Taiji Kase Sensei, 9th dan black belt Japan Karate Association . Frederic prepared and obtained Shodan, 1st dan black belt, thanks to Gerard Guerrero 5th Dan Shotokan Ryu in Arles France and Sensei JP Lavorato 7^th Dan Shotokan Ryu. Frederic prepared and obtained Nidan, 2nd dan world federation black belt thanks to Sensei JC Vitrac 6^th Dan Shito-Ryu and Frederique Vitrac 4th Dan Shito-Ryu in Paris. He worked in France under supervision of Sensei Nakahashi 7^th Dan Shito-Ryu and K.Mabuni Sensei 10^th Dan, head of Shito-Ryu . Same time he was trained in Chi-Kong and Kobudo basis. Frederic got the chance to prepare  kata (technical) and kumite (fighting) competition sparring with champions such as Jacques Tapol winner of heavy category in 1986 world championship, 6th Dan Yosekan-budo and Wado-Ryu Karate-do.

Frederic is in addition on request of Sensei Vitrac, studying Kumdo (Kendo) and Iai-do in Irving with Sohyun Michelle Johnson, Black-Belt 7^th  Dan in Iaido and 6^th Dan in Kumdo, in Irving, Texas.

Michele Elefante began studying at OKCD in Feb.'99. Prior to that, while in Europe she studied the Lung Fa (Dragon Fist) system under Kelvin Covington Sensei for 3 1/2 years where she was the primary instructor for the children's class, as well as Wing Chun, Jui-Jitsu, under George Ordonio Sensei. She is also privileged to have trained with the late Walter Todd Sensei.

Michele cites Smoger Sensei's dedication to the arts and her students as a driving factor in obtaining her Shodan, which she was honored to have received directly from Grand Master Shimabukuro, completing a childhood dream. In 2003 she was honored to have received the rank of Nidan.

She used to teach  the youth program at OKCD where she was  very proud of the younger karateka’s spirit. It is a constant reminder that karate should be studied with enthusiasm, an open mind & heart and never in anger or arrogance.  You can reach Michele at maelefante@yahoo.com.

We are waiting for Michele to find Bay Area Okinawan Karate dojo.

"Karate is like a creative and intense dance. It is a movement of energy that is beyond thought. A place in time where you can be completely present in the moment." (Eric)

Steven Ragsdale began his martial arts training at OKCD in 1999 after graduating from college and moving back to Dallas. He first learned of the Okinawan Karate Club while practicing Kendo and Iaido with Jim Guinan Sensei who is a member of both OKCD and the Dallas / Fort Worth Kendo & Iaido Kyokai. Steven has attended many martial arts seminars including one in North Carolina led by O’Sensei Shimabukuru and one by Grandmaster Kise.

Cale Sherry started Karate at the Okinawan Karate Club of Dallas when he was 6 years old. He studied under Ruben Garza Sensei, and a few months later his father Todd also joined. In January 2002, at the age of 13, Cale earned his black belt in Shorin Ryu Karatedo and Shudokan Karatedo under the instruction of  Ilene Smoger Sensei. At this time, Cale is currently unable to attend Karate regularly because of band and other extra curricular activities.

Ronne Peterson began her martial arts training with OKCD in 1991 with the encouragement of her sister, who is a shodan in Shudokan Karate in Lewiston, Idaho. Ms. Peterson holds the rank of Shodan and is currently on a leave of absence.  Ms. Peterson works in the field of real estate, as an independent abstractor. She and her husband, Charles, buy, refurbish and sell houses in Dallas and surrounding areas.

Susan joined the OKCD in 1993. She is currently a Shodan.  She began practicing karate because she thought martial arts would be interesting. Her brother, currently a shodan, was also practicing karate in Lubbock, Texas. She continued practicing because karate is fun, interesting and good self-defense training. Ms. Bartol grew up in Lubbock and moved to Dallas to attend Southern Methodist University (SMU). She has a BBA degree in MIS and a Masters in Business Administration from SMU. She was a business systems analyst with Freddie Mac. Prior to Freddie Mac, she worked for CompUSA in the corporate information systems department. Ms. Bartol and her husband, Doug, live in Plano and have been married for several years and just had their second child.  Susan is presently on a leave of absence.  .

(Susan is showing the result of seiken against armor.)

Tammy, a native Texan, began her martial arts training with OKCD in March of 1993. She became interested in martial arts as a way to work the body, as well as engage the mind. She has found that the personal benefits have far exceeded her initial expectations. Since becoming a brown belt in September 1996, she has participated in instructing lower ranking classes. Tammy is currently a Shodan in Shorin Ryu and Shudokan.  She is presently on a leave of absence.  Tammy is a degreed accountant working with Panda Energy International, Inc. since spring 1994. She is the Financial Manager for all operational domestic projects for this independent energy company.

David Fulton (in Austin)

David ( left) and Patrick

Patrick  McGehearty, Ph.D.    (in Austin)

Patrick McGehearty, Ph.D. began his OKCD martial arts training in 1994 to share an interesting     activity with his (then) teenage son Eric McGehearty.   John Mascio was his first sensei.  Classes met at the fitness center of Convex in Richardson, Texas.  After a time, John changed jobs and Patrick and Eric started attending the main OKCD dojo.  Patrick has attended several Michigan martial arts weekends, including one led by O'Sensei in 1999.  He received his Shodan March 24, 2001. 

Edi Peterson began her martial arts training at OKCD in April of 2001..  She had been looking for a fitness activity that would fulfill several criteria:  first, it had to have both strength and cardio aspects; secondly, it had to be mentally and intellectually stimulating. It also had to have practical applications and, lastly,  it had to offer some respite from daily stress.  Martial arts certainly seemed to fit, and OKCD turned out to be the perfect match for her. In March 2005, she was awarded the rank of Shodan in both Shorin Ryu and Shudokan Karatedo.

As a mental health professional, she was particularly drawn to the mental and psychological aspects of the training.  Attaining the rank of Shodan was not something she set out to do, in the beginning.  In fact, many times she wondered if she could do any of it at all. But, with the support, encouragement and guidance of all of the instructors and students at OKCD, reaching this goal has surpassed all other personal goals.

If you ask her what is her favorite part of training, asides from the people, it’s WEAPONS.
edi - at - okinawankarateclub.com

Karrie Walters began training in the martial arts in 1992.  She found her way the Okinawan Karate Club of Dallas in 1993 and spent a year and a half training there.  After going away to graduate school, Karrie continued to train off and on in Shorin-Ryu karate, earning her shodan in Mok-Ken Shorin Ryu in 1995, and in Kobayashi Shorin-Ryu in 1999.  

Blending her passions of psychology, education, and the martial arts, Karrie has kept herself busy over the years developing martial arts programs for a wide variety of special needs youth, including youth on probation and children on the autism spectrum, as well as incorporating bully-prevention and conflict education programs into martial arts curriculum.   Karrie is a member of NWMAF, AWMAI, and MAPP (www.martialartsforpeace.com), a non-profit organization promoting the concept of peaceful solutions to conflict. She is absolutely thrilled to once again be training at OKCD.

Noelle Barcenas began her martial arts training in 1994 along with her brother Jon-Paul. She trains with her brothers, Jon-Paul and Christian-Jude. She earned her black belt in Shorin Ryu Karatedo and Shudokan Karatedo last January 2002. She assisted with the youth classes.

She graduated with Magna Cum Laude honor from Ursuline Academy of Dallas (high school). At Ursuline, she was the Student Body Treasurer (2001 - 2002) and has served as her class treasurer (1999 - 2001). She was an Honor Roll Student, on the Academic Dean’s list and National Honor Society member. She was a member of the Ursuline Academy’s Varsity Swim Team for 4 years.

Noelle is currently at a university in the west coast, majoring in Biology (Pre-Med) and minor in Business.

Sachiko Matsumoto began her training at OKCD in June 2003.  Her original training started in 1985, when she was in Tottori, Japan. She was originally trained in Shotokan-style, and received her shodan in 1989.  She came to the US for college and graduate education, and it took her more than 10 years to find the right dojo. 

In addition to Karate, she also practiced Zen Archery (Kyudo) for 3 years. 

She received her Ph.D. in Experimental Psychology from the University of South Carolina, and now works at CitiGroup as a statistical modeler. 

She is very excited about being a part of OKCD and training in a new style.  She also enjoys practicing with her partner, who encourages her to further her training.

Sachiko can be reached at sachiko - at - okinawankarateclub.com