Sensei Raffi Derderian JrChief Instructors
Sensei Raffi Derderian Jr
&
Sensei Susan Derderian
"I began training in martial arts in 1973 at twelve years old in Uechi-ryu Karate. In 1990 I attended a martial arts summer camp in Syracuse NY hosted by the Zen-Do-Kai Association. I was exposed to the Filipino Martial Arts by Guro Kevin Seaman. This experience showed me how little I knew about martial arts and how much there is out there to learn. I had come from the "master one style" mentality that had been pounded into me by my instructor at the time. The Zen-Do-Kai camp sparked an obsession in me to start cross training and learn all I could. You could spend a lifetime studying martial arts and not even scratch the surface of what is out there. I am proud to have such a fantastic group of teachers who work with me to help me become the best instructor I can possibly be. They set an example that I strive to live by. I have been lucky to have a school of hard working, dedicated students who share my desire to learn and grow in the vast world of martial arts. It is an honor to be their teacher."
Sifu Raffi A. Derderian Jr
To see a list of OUR instructors that we study with click here.
Mr. Derderian's Martial Arts Credentials
7th Degree Black Belt - Shinko-ryu Kempo
6th Degree Black Belt - Uechi-ryu Karate
2nd Degree Black Belt - Filipino Martial Art Combatives
2nd Degree Black Belt-Oki-ryu Kenpo
Certified Full Instructor - Jun Fan Gung Fu/Jeet Kune Do
Certified Full Instructor - Filipino Martial Arts
Ranked "Expert" in Knife Combatives by the Congress of American Knifefighters
Recognized "Shihan of Martial Arts" by the International Uechi Karate Association
Grand Champion: 2002 World Uechi-ryu Championships Men's Black Belt Kata and Heavyweight "B" Division Sparring
Author of several published martial arts articles
Sensei Susan Derderian
Sensei Susan began her study of martial arts in 1990. In 1997 she earned her first degree black belt at the Don Rodrigues Karate Academy. In 1995 she began training in JKD Kali, and Shinko-ryu Kempo at DAMA and is a Nidan (second degree black belt) in Shinko-ryu Kempo and has an intermediate rank in JKD.
Sensei Susan is an excellent martial artist and instructor. She regularly attends seminars to broaden her understanding of martial arts. In 2002 she was featured in Action Martial Arts Magazine.
In addition to teaching the children's classes at DAMA, Sensei Susan is a foreign language teacher at Rocky Hill School in East Greenwich, RI.
Mrs Derderian's Credentials
2nd Degree Black Belt-Shinko-ryu Kempo
1st Degree Black Belt-Oki-ryu Kenpo
Level 3-Jun Fan Gung Fu/Jeet Kune Do
Intermediate Rank-Filipino Martial Arts