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STEVE NAKAMURA, Senior Master 6th Degree,
Chief Instructor PA State Director
Steve is the Chief Instructor, PA State Director and managing partner of SDSS Pittsburgh. He is a 6th Degree Black Belt and Senior Master in Shaolin Chuan Fa. Together with his wife and business partner Lisa, he opened the studio in Regent Square in 2004. Steve spent nearly 20 years wearing a suit and tie as an executive for large corporations before he made a change to teach martial arts full time. “Next to sleep, we spend most of our lives working so I wanted this time to be something that truly helped people, including myself. I’m extremely thankful to my wife, daughter, and parents/in-laws for supporting this change. I’m most proud of the martial arts community that we have built and the students, including my daughter who have developed into amazing human beings who exemplify the tenets of a true martial artist”. He enjoys running, cooking, the outdoors and especially hard workouts. This might be why Steve has always looked forward to his training sessions with Grandmaster Demasco and the trips to the Shaolin Temple; Amituofo!
Lisa Nakamura, Senior Master
7th Degree
Master Lisa is our Senior Black Belt Instructor and leads our Women’s Self Defense and Teen Mentoring programs. She began her martial arts training with Grandmaster DeMasco as a teenager (40+ years ago!), and is a 7th degree Black Belt in Shaolin Chuan Fa. Lisa is one of the three highest ranked Black Belts trained by Grandmaster DeMasco, and the only woman to achieve this rank. Master Lisa is a partner in SDSS Regent Square and she has trained and performed at the Shaolin Temple on numerous occasions.
meet our team
martial arts instructor group
Mike Biglan
Current Rank:
1st Degree Black Belt
Entered White Belt Rank:
2012
Mike is in middle school and takes part in Science Olympiad. He has a cat named Junior.
What’s your favorite thing about teaching the martial arts?
“How I can see the young kids struggle with what I once struggled with, and I can help them.”
Mike is in middle school and takes part in Science Olympiad. He has a cat named Junior.
What’s your favorite thing about teaching the martial arts?
“How I can see the young kids struggle with what I once struggled with, and I can help them.”
Joe Cooper
Current Rank:
Green Stripe Belt
Entered White Belt Rank:
2019
Joe is a graphic designer and owner of Studio Joe creative services. He’s a certified Reiki Master and a certified Permaculture designer, and the father of four girls, three chickens, and two cats.
What motivates you to keep training?
“The Shaolin Studios community is so open and friendly that training becomes a joy!”
Joe is a graphic designer and owner of Studio Joe creative services. He’s a certified Reiki Master and a certified Permaculture designer, and the father of four girls, three chickens, and two cats.
What motivates you to keep training?
“The Shaolin Studios community is so open and friendly that training becomes a joy!”
Joe DeAntonis
Current Rank:
4th Degree Black Belt
Entered White Belt Rank:
2007
Joe is a Muscle Therapist who holds a Master’s Degree in Exercise Science. He’s completed graduate coursework in Sports Medicine, and he teaches a Cadaver Anatomy and Biomechanics course.
What’s your favorite thing about teaching the martial arts?
“Helping people realize things they can accomplish that they may not have known they could do before.”
Joe is a Muscle Therapist who holds a Master’s Degree in Exercise Science. He’s completed graduate coursework in Sports Medicine, and he teaches a Cadaver Anatomy and Biomechanics course.
What’s your favorite thing about teaching the martial arts?
“Helping people realize things they can accomplish that they may not have known they could do before.”
Dave Farnsworth
Current Rank:
4th Degree Black Belt
Entered White Belt Rank:
2005
When not in the dojo, Dave enjoys spending time with his family and running.
How has the martial arts impacted your life outside the dojo?
The martial arts has given me a tremendous amount of discipline and self-motivation. I feel like I have built up so much over the years that I always have a reserve I can tap into if I'm struggling or need to accomplish something important.
When not in the dojo, Dave enjoys spending time with his family and running.
How has the martial arts impacted your life outside the dojo?
The martial arts has given me a tremendous amount of discipline and self-motivation. I feel like I have built up so much over the years that I always have a reserve I can tap into if I'm struggling or need to accomplish something important.
Natalie Floreancig
Current Rank:
3rd Degree Black Belt
Entered White Belt Rank:
2007
Natalie is a college student at the University of Chicago. She’s studying Physics.
What motivates you to keep training?
“The dojo has such an amazing community of people that are all very dedicated to studying Kung Fu. Seeing them try their hardest every week definitely pushes me to try and match that energy. Also, whenever I take time to think about how much I have improved since I started taking classes I am inspired to keep putting in effort to see how much more I'll be able to do in the future.”
Natalie is a college student at the University of Chicago. She’s studying Physics.
What motivates you to keep training?
“The dojo has such an amazing community of people that are all very dedicated to studying Kung Fu. Seeing them try their hardest every week definitely pushes me to try and match that energy. Also, whenever I take time to think about how much I have improved since I started taking classes I am inspired to keep putting in effort to see how much more I'll be able to do in the future.”
Dylan Fuhr
Current Rank:
4th Degree Black Belt
Entered White Belt Rank:
2004
What’s your favorite thing about teaching the martial arts?
“I love watching students progress through the belt ranks. I see a younger version of myself in many of them and helping them to succeed and achieve their goals is very rewarding for me.”
What’s your favorite thing about teaching the martial arts?
“I love watching students progress through the belt ranks. I see a younger version of myself in many of them and helping them to succeed and achieve their goals is very rewarding for me.”
Amelia Glenn
Current Rank:
2nd Degree Black Bel
Entered White Belt Rank:
2013
Amelia is an Engineer in training at the University of Pittsburgh.
How has the martial arts impacted your life outside the dojo?
“I’ve learned self-discipline and leadership skills that have helped greatly in my jobs and university in general. And patience to deal with my brothers!”
Amelia is an Engineer in training at the University of Pittsburgh.
How has the martial arts impacted your life outside the dojo?
“I’ve learned self-discipline and leadership skills that have helped greatly in my jobs and university in general. And patience to deal with my brothers!”
Camille Harris
Current Rank:
1st Degree Black Belt
Entered White Belt Rank:
2018
Camille is a Dojo Mom turned Karate Mom, starting as an avid supporter of her son Guillermo in 2010. Her son is her favorite partner on the dojo floor, an awesome mentor, and a close friend.
What motivates you to keep training?
“Becoming ever the best version of myself in the moment.”
Camille is a Dojo Mom turned Karate Mom, starting as an avid supporter of her son Guillermo in 2010. Her son is her favorite partner on the dojo floor, an awesome mentor, and a close friend.
What motivates you to keep training?
“Becoming ever the best version of myself in the moment.”
Guillermo Harris
Current Rank:
3rd Degree Black Belt
Entered White Belt Rank:
2010
Outside of the dojo, Guillermo loves to play video and board games and he loves to create games on computers. He flew his first plane at 13 years old, and he intends to fly many more! He loves being with his family, especially his Mom who is his best friend and ally.
What’s your favorite thing about teaching the martial arts?
“Every time I instruct, I learn new things myself as the students bring their own insight to the situation. It also makes me better as a student, as every question I can’t answer is a learning opportunity for me.”
Outside of the dojo, Guillermo loves to play video and board games and he loves to create games on computers. He flew his first plane at 13 years old, and he intends to fly many more! He loves being with his family, especially his Mom who is his best friend and ally.
What’s your favorite thing about teaching the martial arts?
“Every time I instruct, I learn new things myself as the students bring their own insight to the situation. It also makes me better as a student, as every question I can’t answer is a learning opportunity for me.”
Eric Kruman
Current Rank:
3rd Degree Black Belt
Entered White Belt Rank:
2011
Eric is a retired business owner and attorney. He loves spending time with his family, including his wife Susan, kids Meagan and Caitlin, and dogs The Captain and Brother.
What motivates you to keep training?
“Trying to improve mentally, spiritually, and physically every day.”
Eric is a retired business owner and attorney. He loves spending time with his family, including his wife Susan, kids Meagan and Caitlin, and dogs The Captain and Brother.
What motivates you to keep training?
“Trying to improve mentally, spiritually, and physically every day.”
Jamie McMahon
Current Rank:
4th Degree Black Belt
Entered White Belt Rank:
2008
Jamie is the CEO of the Educational Foundation of the Community College of Allegheny County.
What’s your favorite thing about teaching the martial arts?
“Seeing a student do something that they thought they could not do at first.”
Jamie is the CEO of the Educational Foundation of the Community College of Allegheny County.
What’s your favorite thing about teaching the martial arts?
“Seeing a student do something that they thought they could not do at first.”
Michele Montag
Current Rank:
4th Degree Black Belt
Entered White Belt Rank:
2010
Michele began teaching with SDSS in 2012. In addition to instructing in the martial arts, she is a Lead Coach for the SETpoint Empowerment Self Defense curriculum. She holds a PhD in Anthropology and she received sexual assault counselor certification from the state of Pennsylvania. She loves gardening and tending to all sorts of animals.
What motivates you to keep training?
“I love that you never stop learning. There’s always more to understand and refine, and that lifelong pursuit builds confidence, discipline, and patience.”
Michele began teaching with SDSS in 2012. In addition to instructing in the martial arts, she is a Lead Coach for the SETpoint Empowerment Self Defense curriculum. She holds a PhD in Anthropology and she received sexual assault counselor certification from the state of Pennsylvania. She loves gardening and tending to all sorts of animals.
What motivates you to keep training?
“I love that you never stop learning. There’s always more to understand and refine, and that lifelong pursuit builds confidence, discipline, and patience.”
Lauren Nakamura
Current Rank:
1st Degree Black Belt
Entered White Belt Rank:
2004
Lauren works with children and families as a behavioral health worker. She is also a Reiki Master and a proud mom to two kitties. She has a daily yoga practice and aspires to offer holistic healing services to marginalized communities.
What’s your favorite thing about teaching the martial arts?
“The ‘a-ha’ moment on kids’ faces, and seeing them empowered.”
Lauren works with children and families as a behavioral health worker. She is also a Reiki Master and a proud mom to two kitties. She has a daily yoga practice and aspires to offer holistic healing services to marginalized communities.
What’s your favorite thing about teaching the martial arts?
“The ‘a-ha’ moment on kids’ faces, and seeing them empowered.”
Tara Pannell
Current Rank:
1st Degree Black Belt
Entered White Belt Rank:
Tara loves to sail with her partner and their two dogs Oriole and Piper. She also loves to hike, kayak, and travel.
How has the martial arts impacted your life outside the dojo?
“Martial arts has given me confidence, has taught me that I'm capable of more than I would have ever thought, and it gives me a really special community to belong to”.
Tara loves to sail with her partner and their two dogs Oriole and Piper. She also loves to hike, kayak, and travel.
How has the martial arts impacted your life outside the dojo?
“Martial arts has given me confidence, has taught me that I'm capable of more than I would have ever thought, and it gives me a really special community to belong to”.
Nikhil Saxena
Current Rank:
3rd Degree Black Belt
Entered White Belt Rank:
2014
Nikhil attends the Falk Laboratory School, and he plays soccer and basketball outside of school.
What’s your favorite thing about teaching the martial arts?
“I get to learn new things with every kid I teach. I’m always learning how to be better myself at Kung Fu.”
Nikhil attends the Falk Laboratory School, and he plays soccer and basketball outside of school.
What’s your favorite thing about teaching the martial arts?
“I get to learn new things with every kid I teach. I’m always learning how to be better myself at Kung Fu.”
Sarah Wells
Current Rank:
1st Degree Black Belt
Entered White Belt Rank:
2017
Sarah has been a mental health therapist for over 28 years. She loves to hike, walk her dog, travel, write, and garden.
How has the martial arts impacted your life outside the dojo?
“I have more confidence and strength, and I hope to inspire other ‘older’ adults.”
Sarah has been a mental health therapist for over 28 years. She loves to hike, walk her dog, travel, write, and garden.
How has the martial arts impacted your life outside the dojo?
“I have more confidence and strength, and I hope to inspire other ‘older’ adults.”
Rosanna Zelenko
Current Rank:
3rd Degree Black Belt
Entered White Belt Rank:
2008
Rosanna is a Registered Nurse. She loves to exercise and keep in shape.
What motivates you to keep training?
“Simple: love of the martial arts!”
Rosanna is a Registered Nurse. She loves to exercise and keep in shape.
What motivates you to keep training?
“Simple: love of the martial arts!”
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