Testimonials

I want to tell you how much I have been inspired to continue training in JKD & Kali because of your school and curriculum. I originally thought I would use it to "get back in shape" and maybe "give it a try" for a year, while honing some of the stuff I had previously learned. But after about 3 months, I started to really feel
some of the technique and it made me realize, not only how much I enjoy learning, but how much more I want to learn.

"My goal at Derderian Academy was to learn how to effectively defend myself. I've come away with so much more. More confidence that has helped me in
other aspects of my life. The experience is WELL worth it."
John Neary

"I've grown so much as a person and a martial artist while training at Derderian-Academy. A lot of it has to do with the friendly environment and the quality of the programs. If you challenge yourself here, the instructors and other students are very supportive in helping you to achieve your goals."

Collin Lieberman

Our son, Josh has been a student of Derderian Academy since 2002. We are very pleased with the level of professionalism and nurturing provided to all the children. There aren't too many schools in the area that offer so many different times at such a reasonable price. We look forward to Joshua pursuing his martial arts with Derderian Academy and one day becoming a black belt.

In January of 2002, I put our sons Ryan and Kyle in Derderian Academy. At the time they were at the young ages of 3 and 5. Since that time, I am very pleased with the way they have developed. The respect and maturity they exhibit in school with their teachers and other students is credit to the teachings of Sensei Raffi & Sensei Susan. They incorporated fun with the beliefs of the school from the beginning. My sons continue to grow within a culture they will take with them through life. The discipline and flexibility they have been taught has had a direct impact on them becoming very good students and athletes in other sports. We recommend anyone looking to enhance their children's growth or their own, this is the Academy to do it.

"We love the confidence you have given our son, Etai. Thanks to your school, Etai has learned to love Karate. You and your staff are all wonderful, kind and knowledgeable folks and run a top-grade school. Thank you for welcoming Etai into your family of students."
Boris Bally

I have had the opportunity to see many JKD instructors, in person and on video. Hands down Sifu Raffi is one of the best Jun Fan Jeet June Do instructors I have seen and trained with. His JKD program is an exceptionally well structured program, that takes time & effort to master. The program is about high quality and not about a high quantity of students. If you are truly interested in learning Jun Fan Gung Fu / JKD and pushing yourself, this is the program and the instructor for you,
but............. be prepared to work hard, Sifu Raffi gives nothing away, you must earn it.

John Chartier

I guess I am lucky in the fact that my introduction to martial arts has been here at DAMA with Sifu Raffi. Although I possessed a solid background in western boxing and wrestling at the time I joined DAMA, I quickly learned the art that Bruce Lee pioneered (Jeet Kune Do) was unlike anything I had ever experienced. I began my training in 2002 and have never looked back. It can be difficult to grasp the concepts behind any martial art especially if you have no prior introduction to it. The beauty about the Jeet Kune Do program at DAMA is that the student is taught (and learns) very quickly how to defend him/her self effectively. There are plenty of schools out there where black belts are bought and paid for. This is not one of them. Rank promotions are tested for and given when they are earned, period. There is definitely a “family” atmosphere here at DAMA and I think this is why some of the students have been here so long.