Lead Instructor: Mark Weinberg

Sensei Weinberg was awarded his 4th Degree Black Belt in 2008 by Sensei Paul Harris. He has been training for 22 years and teaching Karate for over 13 years. He earned his certification as a sports weaponry instructor from the International Sports Chanbara Association following his training with Shihan Dana Abbott and is currently studying Kobudo with Ms. Deb Harris. He has additional seminar training with Grand Master Ron Van Browning, Mike Swain, Tom Callos, and Dave Kovar among others.

Sensei Weinberg's unique combination of skills include a Ph.D. in Theatre and 36 years of teaching Theatre and Communications. With his wife Jenny Wanasek he founded the Center for Applied Theatre which uses theatre techniques to do problem solving work with youth and adults in schools, businesses, and service organizations. His daughter Rachel and son Noah are 3rd Degree Black Belts and have been successful as national competitors and karate instructors in the Madison area.

Sensei Weinberg's accomplishments as an individual competitor include two Diamond National Tournament divisional championships in Sparring, first place in Forms at the Capitol City Classic (Washington, DC), Open Forms divisional championship at the Cheesehead Nationals (Milwaukee), and several divisional championships from the Wisconsin Professional Karate Association. More recently he has competed as part of Team Generation (Divisional Championship in Forms at the World Cup in Green Bay). However, his most important accomplishments can be found in the positive actions, attitudes, and accomplishments of his students.

Full Instructor: Kevin Nelson

Mr. Nelson began his karate training at the age of 16 while a sophomore at Milwaukee Lutheran High School, from which he graduated in 2006. He earned his First Degree Black Belt and completed his Assistaant Instructor Training Program in 2007. Following that he trained with Shihan Dana Abbott and was certified as a sports weaponry instructor by the International Sports Chanbara Association. On June 12, 2010 Mr. Nelson was awarded his 2nd Degree Black Belt and promoted to Full Instructor at the Academy. At the moment Mr. Nelson is training to earn his black belt in the ancient art of Kobudo under the Mrs. Deb Harris.

Mr. Nelson is an avid competitor who was WPKA weapons and sparring champion as an underbelt in 2006. Since earning his black belt he has won divisional sparring championships at the Norse Warrior Open, the Greater Milwaukee Open, and Badger State Games. He has also taken first place in recent tournaments, competing with his fellow students as a member of the Academy's Team Generation.

Ari Lerner: Instructor

Ms Lerner earned her Black Belt in Karate in 2008. That same year she certified level 2 in Krav Maga, the official self defense method of the Israeli army. She is currently training to earn her Black Belt in the art of Kobudo under Mrs. Deb Harris. She worked for the Academy as program director in 2006 and completed her Instuctor Training Program in 2007.

David Bunting: Assistant Instructor in Training

Mr. Bunting earned his Black Belt in 2007 and his Second Degree Black Belt in 2010. He is continuing to take classes at the Academy and is enrolled in the Instructor Training Program.

Nick Horejs: Assistant Instructor in Training

Mr. Horejs earned his Black Belt in 2007 and will earn his Second Degree Black Belt later this year. He will begin his University education next Fall and is currently in the Instructor Training Program at the Academy.