Mr. Orlando is our youngest Black belt. Starting at the age of four he has worked very hard to get where he is both mentally and physically. Showing courage and maturity that some adults strive for Mr. Orlando showed great patience waiting until he was a teeenager to test for black belt. Sean is a strong leader and respected member of the school.

picture coming soon

Sean Orlando

1st degree blackbelt

picture coming soon

Kate Gietl

1st degree black belt

Mrs. Gietl is the newest black belt to the school with many years of training to her credit. A strong teacher Mrs. Gietl has trained in Karate as well as Iaido. Mrs. Gietl has helped train women and children in short term self defense classes as well as Karate. Although a great asset to the school her teaching skill are a product of her own strict training in Karate.

Sandra Dennis started her Karate training with Sensei David Brownridge in Champaign, IL.   She continued her training and started teaching Karate for Sensei Brownridge while attending college at Eastern Illinois University in Charleston, IL.   After leaving EIU she continued to train with Sensei Brownridge’s instructor, Sensei Sam Brock.  Ms. Dennis moved to Springfield and opened the Shudo-Kan Karate Club with her husband. 

Over the years, Ms. Dennis has trained thousands of athletes, traveled all over the United States coaching and promoting the art of Karate, developed and taught hundreds of self-defense programs, but still finds that her passion is  changing lives by teaching karate to kids and self-defense or cardio to men and women.   This passion has helped change the lives of many students.  Ms Dennis is amazed at the number of students that have gone on to open their own Karate schools or use their training to help them to succeed in other areas of their life. 

In May, 2005, Ms Dennis with the help several other Black belts and friends opened the Springfield Karate and Fitness Center.   Ms. Dennis and her school have joined Karate-Do Shito Kai USA Murayama and are studying under the USA Director, Sensei Ted Rabino, from Phoenix, AZ. 

To sum up Ms. Dennis’ training in karate is to say that she is willing to “walk the talk”.  It’s not about how many trophies you win or how many people you try to impress, it’s about how many lives you help to improve and how many students know that you care.  People may not remember what you said or what you taught them, but they will always remember how you said it or how you cared while teaching them. 

Brian Zentz Started as a boxer and had many ring fights as a younger man. Becoming a power lifter and playing college football gave Mr. Zentz a better than average chance of defending himself in his youth.

It was after College Mr. Zentz received his black belt in Tae Kwon Do, and moved on finally to Shito-Ryu Karate earning his third degree black belt. It is without question that Brian Zentz is a man of integrity and strict training in the Martial arts, but as with Ms. D his greatest joy is that of teaching his Saturday morning class.

John Nelson has grown up in Ms. Dennis's dojo. Starting Karate at five years of age John has been exposed to many styles and teachers. He received his Black belt originally in Shudo-Kan and later earned his third degree black belt in Shito-Ryu Karate. John has been the standard of kata and excellence in our school. Mr Nelson is often asked his opinion on Karate techniques regardless of style. Mr. Nelson is also well known as an outstanding Karate judge, and marathon trainer.

Sandan 3rd degree black belt

Sandan 3rd degree black belt

 
       

 

 

  

 

Owner and head instructor