OUR INSTRUCTORS
 Sensei Dave - Dojo Cho Goju-ryu Karate, Aikido and Judo 3rd Dan (Sandan) |  Sensei Chuck Aikido 6th Dan (Rokudan) |  Sensei John Karate 6th Dan (Rokudan) |
|---|---|---|
 Sensei Arce Judo 3rd Dan (Sandan) |  Sensei Demetrius Judo 3rd Dan (Sandan) |
 Guro Erick Professor Eskrima 3rd Dan (Sandan)-Aikido |  Sensei Ralph 3rd Dan (Sandan)-Karate |  Senpai Jerome Aikido 1st Kyiu ( Assistant instructor) |
|---|---|---|
 Senpai Dennis Aikido 1st Kyiu ( Assistant instructor) |  Senpai Mike Judo Brown belt - 1st Kyiu ( Assistant instructor) |  In Memory of Manny San Shodan Aikido Assistant Instructor |
KNOW OUR Dojo cho
Chief Instructor
3rd degree black belt in Goju-ryu, Aikido and Judo.
In 1987, Sensei Dave began his study of Goju-ryu Karatedo at the Nibukan dojo in Vineland NJ under the direction of James Loretta and Charles Ferillo who taught Karatedo and Okinawan Kobudo. The study of Goju led him to seek out his teachers' teacher Robert Taiani and Taiani Kancho's teacher Sosui Ichikawa Sensei. Only a few brief visits with Ichikawa Sensei were possible due to his untimely death in 2004, but in general Taiani Kancho remains the single greatest inspiration for his study of and training in Seito Gojuryu Karatedo and Budo. He began training Judo in 1989 and this eventually led to training in Aikido (the Vineland judo club and Vineland Aikikai shared the same mat space) which began in 1993 at the Vineland Aikikai under Sensei Pete Tamagni. He was fortunate enough to train at the New York Aikikai for one year in 1997 where he met and trained under the many exceptional instructors that filled the roster at the time. Over the course of his study, he's been blessed to come in contact with many great teachers, martial artists, and human beings. It is an honor and a privilege to pass on, to those who endeavor to persevere, in the memory of those who have shared this knowledge, the ways of Budo that have been handed down over the centuries.
Testimonials
When our ship needed an additional rescue swimmer, I volunteered for the school. We started with 22 students and nine graduated. Most students dropped voluntarily or due to injury. Classmates sustained a separated sternum, herniated disc, broken wrist, and a separated hip flexor. From my years of training with Dave, I knew how to properly warm-up, stretch, and recognize my body's limits. I knew how to recognize soreness against an oncoming injury and how to act accordingly. For certain evolutions, we had to grapple with instructors underwater. Once again my karate helped me succeed: I was able to stay calm and think clearly despite a daunting situation. Finally, I knew quitting was not an option. Dave showed me difficult tasks are mental, not physical. Despite being the shortest, most senior individual in the class, I was the only one to never fail an evolution. Before doing underwater swims I just remembered Dave's teachings, and then popped up on the other side.
Devin White former Officer US navy current second-year law student
Studied Karate with Sensei dave
Sensei Dave possesses an incredibly rare combination of skill sets. His indomitable will, coupled with an endless curiosity, has resulted in a mastery of martial arts techniques informed by a comprehensive knowledge of physics, anatomy, physiology, history, philosophy, and culture. His aptitude as a teacher is evidenced by his nonjudgemental nature, benevolent disposition, and the genuine joy he derives from cultivating relationships that are both mutually respectful and mutually educational. An expert in passing along the oral traditions, those who enter the dojo with Sensei Dave will find an experience of legend.
Philip G. Colucci, MD
Studied Karate and weapons with Sensei Dave
Sensei Dave was my senior at the Nibukan Dojo in Vineland, New Jersey where we studied Okinawan Goju-Ryu Karatedo and Okinawan Kubudo. I recently traveled from my home in Delaware to Las Vegas to train with Dave over an extended weekend. The 2,500-mile adventure was well worth it and I plan to make it a regular trip! Dave is a fierce fighter, yet a patient instructor. His teaching of the art is holistic—the mind, body, and spirit are trained as one. On this particular trip, we focused on kata bunkai (i.e., translating katas into practical fighting applications) and every lesson gave me new insight on how to elevate my fighting. I also had the honor of cross-training in the Shoshinkan’s Aikido class and met some wonderful people, who immediately welcomed me and treated me as their peer. I was most impressed with the fact that one of the students was 80 years old and still on the matt! Everyone must find the true way in their training and the Shoshinkan school honors that tradition. Finally, I enjoyed observing several of the school’s children classes, which brought back fun memories of the old Dojo back home. As a dad, I can unequivocally recommend this school to any parent looking to get his or her child off the couch, off the iPhone and into an activity that will foster self-confidence, improve health and teach that child that life’s only limitations are the ones they place on themselves. With Karate, Judo, Aikido and weapons classes available, the Shoshinkan Dojo is an excellent place to exercise, meet great people and cross-train in martial arts. And for all my fellow karateka, if you are in the Las Vegas area and you have any interest in elevating your karate you have to seek out Sensei Dave
J. DiTomo
We have instructors who want to belong to our Dojo community with a vision to create an excellent multidisciplinary approach to studying martial art while maintaining the integrity of instruction and the ability of students to advance in any particular art.
