I began in the martial arts when I was 4. I studied Tae Kwon Do for a few years before beginning my career in Shaolin Kempo Karate. I have studied kempo under Sensei Ray Cooney for just over 15 years now and was a chief instructor under him since I was 18. I recently opened up a school of my own in Center Moriches. Besides training with Sensei Ray, Ive also trained with and participated in various seminars with Oleg Tatarov, Grand Master Professor Kimo Ferreira, Master Thomas Ingargiolla, Professor Nick Cerio, and various other martial arts practitioners.

A few years ago I took my martial arts to the next level and began figting competatively. I was successful in a number of boxing and kickboxing bouts in DE, NJ, and PA. After graduating college I returned to NY with the hopes of fighting more frequently, but unfortunately tore my shoulder while training for my first fight in my home town, a fight which I still took. I look forward to returning to the ring after rehabilitating my shoulder.

Over the years I have dedicated myself and my time toward improving the community around me in whatever ways possible. I have taught kempo at enrichment programs to underprivelaged youth in Wilmington and Newark, Delaware, as well as in various school districts throughout Long Island. I have offered women's self defense clincs and spoken in schools about bullying. I am also a graduate of the University of Delaware. I hold a bachelors degree in elementary education and am currently completing my masters degree in secondary math education at C.W. Post.

3rd. Degree Black Belt Shaolin Kempo
3rd. Degree Black Belt Kempo Jutsu Kai
Green Belt Tae Kwon Do

The art of Shaolin Kempo Karate has developed from numerous styles of the martial arts and includes SHAOLIN TEMPLE BOXING, JU JITSU, KUNG FU, KEMPO,KARATE, as well as the secret art of the WHITE TIGER (CHIN NA). Each fighting system offers something both unique and special, yet each also has inherent weaknesses that may make a fighter vulnerable. The ultimate in self defense lies not in one way or style of fighting, but by the integration of these methods of fighting into one that is unique and powerful.
Shaolin Kempo Karate incorporates the movements of the five animals: TIGER, LEOPARD, DRAGON, CRANE and SNAKE. Our system is based upon the proven method of fighting that combines STRIKING (...to use any part of the arms - open or closed hands, elbows or forearms...); KICKING (... to use any part of the leg - foot, shin or knee...; FELLING (... to knock an opponent off his feet - by throwing, pulling or shoving...); and GRAPPLING (...to clutch or grip - wrestling, holding or locking joints...) resulting in a complete system of self defense with graceful movements for the development of the internal energy and balance of the body's external strengths.
SHAOLIN SELF DEFENSE CENTER believes that by applying these physical and mental aspects of the martial arts into your personal lives you will achieve harmony and balance.