Barbara White
Certifications
7th degree black belt
32 years of experience
Teaches Kids/Adults/Group classes/Private lessons. Stretching and Strengthening, both private and group classes, Self-Defense Empowerment classes, both private and group.
Biography
Quote: “I enjoy teaching because I get to share with others, something that I truly love and value. I feel inspired when I watch students grow and develop not only self-defense skills, but life skills. Kenpo is a system that keeps on giving throughout the many seasons of life. It’s wonderful to witness someone who will not let what they “cannot do” get in the way of what they ‘can do.’”
Barbara consistently trains to improve her foundation and skill both in Kenpo and in teaching in order to provide the best service that she can. Barbara is an RN Case Manager who has worked full-time at Hoag Hospital since 1997. She loves being in service to others and uses her nursing skills to volunteer at Royal Family Kids Camp each summer. Barbara is the founder of the Kenpo Women’s Symposium, an organization for the purpose of recognizing women in the martial arts. She, along with a team of 9 women hold live and zoom symposiums for the purpose of helping women find community and grow in the martial arts.
Alia White-Cass
Certifications
3rd degree black belt
45 years of experience
Teaches group and private lessons
Biography
Quote: “I really love working with the kids and having my own daughters involved at the studio.”
Alia grew up in the studio and studied under both of her parents, Bob White and Barbara Lee White.
Alia has been with her husband, Kris for 31 years. She is an active member of the PTA at her twin daughters’ school and her community. She appeared, as a guest on the show Romper Room in the early 80’s and participated in the filming of Karate Kid and Karate Kid 3.
JIM McClure
Certifications
8th degree black belt
42 years of experience
Teaches Kids/Adults/Group classes/Private lessons
Biography
Quote: “I am proud to have the longest tenure of any instructor at BWKS and will continue to carry on the legacy of my instructor, Senior Master Bob White.”
Jim was one of the first 10 students at the Bob White Karate Studio (BWKS). Jim is a six-time freestyle champion in every belt division at the International Karate Championships in Long Beach, California, one of the premier karate tournaments in the world. Jim is married to fellow BWKS instructor Tamara McClure and has two daughters Lindsey and Lauren.
Andrea Pfefer
Certifications
7th degree black belt
40 years of experience
Teaches Kids/Adults/Group classes/Private lessons
Biography
Andrea is a 7th degree black belt and a six-time international champion. She has won more than 100 1st place trophies in her tournament career. She owned and operated her own karate school in Telluride, Colorado for many years. She has a genuine passion for karate and has instructed several hundred people over the years. Andrea and her husband, Matthew, are the proud parents of 4 teenagers.
Vishal Shukla
Certifications
8th degree black belt
35 years of experience
Teaches Kids/Adults/Group classes/Private lessons
Biography
Quote: “I enjoy teaching because I get to empower people to achieve more than they thought they could.”
Vishal has 4 Masters degrees and also collects comic books. He has over 7,000 comics dating back to the 1950’s.
Rod Smith
Certifications
7th degree black belt
Biography
Virgil Bartlomucci
Certifications
7th degree black belt
30 years of experience
Teaches Kids/Adults/Group classes/Private lessons
Biography
Quote: “It gives me great joy when I instruct and see the look on someone’s face when he or she ‘Gets its'”
Virgil is a Combat Veteran, retired and loves to travel. He also has a COOL 1967 Corvette.
Ron Sanchez
Certifications
8th degree black belt
50 years of experience
Teaches Advanced Class
Biography:
Seamus McGeough
Certifications
4th degree black belt
20 years of experience
Teaches Kids/Adults/Group classes/Private lessons
Biography
Quote: “I enjoy helping students learn kenpo, passing on the knowledge that has been given to me and learning as I teach.”
He grew up in Ireland and moved to San Diego when he won his green card in an Immigration lottery
Geoffrey Oropeza
Certifications
4th degree black belt
43 years of experience
Teaches Adult Sparring
Biography
Quote: “I feel great joy in watching my students develop their sparring skills, knowing that their progress is a result of the knowledge I have shared in my classes.”
He is a hand coding programmer and graphic designer, and considers himself truly blessed to have a beautiful family.
Bill Waddington
Certifications
3rd degree black belt
31 years of experience
Teaches Kids/Adults/Group classes/Private lessons
Biography
Quote: “I’m very passionate about seeing students gaining confidence, self-respect, and discipline – especially kids as they enter the challenging years of middle and high school.”
Bill is an avid curler and has curled with his family for over 13 years!
Tamara McClure
Certifications
2nd degree black belt
10 years of experience
Teaches Kids/Adults/Group classes/Private lessons
Biography
Quote: “I enjoy sharing the lessons I’ve learned in martial arts to encourage self-confidence, self-defense, and personal development.”
Tamara is a writer, loves acting, and she adores cats.
Jeff Weitz
Certifications
4th degree black belt
33 years of experience
Teaches Adults/Group classes
Biography
Quote: “Teaching allows me to watch a student mature in terms of their own self as well as how they treat others. Watching them gain confidence!”
Dr. Weitz is a retired Veterinarian and a personal student of Bob White. He teaches the Tuesday Afternoon class at BWKS and truly loves the art of Kenpo.
Mike McDaniels
Certifications
1st degree black belt
31 years of experience
Teaches Adult Sparring
Biography
Quote: “I enjoy teaching because I like to inspire others to achieve goals they never thought they could accomplish. Building confidence in our students will help succeed in every aspect of life.”
Michael has a passion for sparring. His most memorable tournament was the Colorado Springs Super Grands where he won 19 consecutive matches in a single day. He enjoys softball, pickle ball and taking his dog to dog beach.
Tom De Temple
Certifications
1st degree black belt
8 years of experience
Teaches Adults/Group classes/Private lessons
Biography
Quote: “I take pride in sharing the benefits of martial arts for self-confidence, physical fitness and personal growth.”
Tom is a 20+ year veteran of the professional sports & live entertainment industry, and enjoys training with his daughters – one of which is also a BWKS black belt & junior instructor.
Chad Gundlach
Certifications
6th Degree Black Belt
36 years of experience
Teaches Adult private lessons
Biography
Quote: “Success is where preparation meets opportunity! BWKS provides the opportunity, but are you prepared to be the hardest working person on the mat?”
Chad joined BWKS in 1996, as a 1st degree black belt. Now a 6th degree, he trains and teaches on a regular basis.
Chad is married to his wife, Charlene and has two sons. He is also an avid fly fisherman and pickleball player.
Jamie Matthews
Certifications
7th degree black belt
45 years of experience
Teaches Privates and Sparring
Biography
Mr. Matthews is a World Champion Fighter and his talent and coaching ability is simply awesome!
Pat Ramirez
Certifications
3rd Degree Black Belt
28 years of experience
Assists Children’s class where her granddaughter has begun training.
Biography
Quote: “In learning, you will teach, and in teaching, you will learn. You’ll find your place beside the ones you love.”
-Phil Collins
Pat is a returning teacher/student Who is happy to assist in the Children’s class where her granddaughter has begun training.
Away from the studio, Pat is a retiree from the mental health field. She is now a tie dye artist and listens to music as much as possible. She loves finding inspiration through lyrics.
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