Our Instructors
Owner and Head Instructor: Erlinda V. Lopez
Chief Instructor: Robert Walker, (6th Degree Black Belt).
Sensei Erlinda V. Lopez has been studying the martial arts since she was 18. Her first style and school was Taekwondo with Bill Clark on Beach Blvd. She had to quit when she went into the Marine Corps. When she returned she attended FCCJ. During that time Sifu Erlinda took Judo and Kenpo Karate. Once she received her AA degree from FCCJ she went to Gainesville to the University of Florida to pursue her degree in Journalism. While at UF she took Isshinryu Karate in which she joined the Isshinryu karate brotherhood organization and Shotokan Karate. After graduating from UF, Sifu Erlinda went to UNF to get her second bachelors in Psychology. While at UNF she took Cuongh Nhu and Nido Jutsu Karate. Currently Sensei Erlinda holds a 2nd Degree Black Belt in Tatsu Te Ryu Karate Systems, Green Belt from Cuongh Nhu, and a 4th Degree Black Belt in Jeet Kune Do Concepts. She is a certified instructor for Jeet Kune do. She belongs to The World Jeet Kune Do organization, The International Martial Arts Union and The World Elite Black Belt Society. Sensei Erlinda believes that the Martial arts are not only a self defense but a way of life. The philosophy of Martial arts is more important to Sensei Erlinda than the physical aspect of it. Her martial arts hero is Bruce Lee and like Bruce Lee, Sensei Erlinda has studied philosophy formally at school and tries to incorporate the philosophy in her martial arts and in her day to day living.
Renshi Robert Walker came to Japanese Karate from a Chinese Kung Fu background in which he studied for 3 years until his Sifu closed the school to move out of Jacksonville. In 1996, Robert Walker began training in Nido Jutsu Karate under Shihan Larry Nichols at Beauclerc elementary school’s community education program. In 1999, Robert Walker advanced to First Degree black belt in Nido Jutsu. Sensei Robert Walker began teaching in the community education program where his currently teaches today at Neptune Beach elementary. Sensei Robert Walker advanced to rank of Third Degree black belt in 2002. In 2004 Sensei Robert Walker tested and was advanced to fourth degree black belt by Master Kang Rhee and Shihan Larry W Nichols Jr. In 2008, Sempai Sensei Robert Walker tested and was advanced to Fifth Degree black belt by Grand Master Geofrey Spohn under the World Elite Black Belt Society. Renshi Robert Walker currently holds a Sixth Degree Black Belt.
Master Rose Raffaniello started her karate training in Taekwondo with Bill Clark. In 1999, Sensei Rose Raffaniello began her training in Nido Jutsu with Shihan Larry Nichols at the main dojo in Arlington. Sensei Rose Raffaniello advanced rapidly. Sensei Rose Raffaniello advanced to First Degree black belt in 2002 as an assistant instructor. Sensei Rose Raffaniello tested in the summer of 2004. Sensei Rose Raffaniello tested and advanced to second-degree black belt instructor, by Master Kang Rhee under Shihan Larry W Nichols Jr. In 2008, Sensei Rose Raffaniello tested and advanced to Third Degree black belt Sempai Sensei by Grand Master Geofrey Spohn under the World Elite Black Belt Society. Master Rose currently holds a Fourth Degree Black Belt in Tatsu Te Ryu Karate- Jutsu
