Instructors

Sensei Shawnie Brown, 2nd Dan

     Sensei Brown graduated from Southside High School in 1989. She attended Corning Community College for one year before joining the ARMY and serving during the Gulf War in Air Defense and Military Police. She graduated from the University of Texas in San Antonio with a degree in Psychology where she served as a Lt. in an MP unit in San Antonio. She lived in San Antonio until June 2007 when she and her husband, Tom brought their children back to NY so they could grow up with family.  

     Sensei Brown started karate in 1997 under Master Jeff Bonugli. In 1998 as a purple belt, Shawnie won the Black Belt continuous sparring division at Houston's Karate Olympics.  By the end of 1998 as a green belt , Shawnie Brown was ranked the #1 Black Belt fighter in Texas, #3 in Mexico and #5 in the U.S.A.  She continued her dominance of Texas until February 2000 when she became pregnant with her first child. She continued to teach and train during this period. Shawnie Received her 1st Dan Black Belt in February 2002 and her 2nd Dan on July 10, 2006.  Shawnie Brown has a passion for teaching women and teens self-defense and self-confidence. She taught in San Antonio, Texas from January 2000 until June 2007. Her new school opens in upstate NY in October 2007. In the summer of 2007 she was nominated for Martial Arts Instructor of the Year and inducted in the Martial Arts Hall of Fame.

     Sensei Brown also enjoys playing guitar & bass for her church & outdoors activities. Shawnie & Tom have two girls and one adopted son who decided to stay in Texas.

Mr. Tom Brown, 1st Kyu

     Mr. Tom Brown also graduated from the University of Texas at San Antonio (yes, Shawnie & Tom met in college). He graduated from Bitburg DOD High School in Germany where he lived with his parents who were both in the USAF. Mr. Brown is currently working on a Master's in Public Administration when he's not busy with his family or his full time job.

     Mr. Brown started karate in 1998 under Jeff Bonugli. He has won many tournaments in the AOK & TNT tournament circuit. He has been teaching for The United States Soryu Karate Federation since 1999. He received his 1st Kyu Brown Belt in July 2005 and is currently training for his Black Belt exam.  Mr. Brown has a passion for teaching self-defense.

 

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