Robert Roberto Curtis, 8th Degree, Kyoshi
Head Instructor
Roberto started training with Seikichi Iha in 1979 in the Lansing, MI Hombu Dojo.
He is now one of Sensei Iha´s senior students. He began his martial arts training in 1969 with Judo.
He also studied Shoto Kan, Shorin Kan and Goju Ryu Karate. He has has trained in the martial arts for 50 years and taught for nearly 45 years. He now teaches classes 6 days per week.
A retired Foreign Service Officer and RPCV he taught the US Marines, US Embassy/Consulate Security Personnel, other Embassy Personnel, Foreign Security Agents, and people like you during long-term overseas assignments. During domestic assignments in the Washington, DC area he always taught a cadre of students.
Roberto started training with Seikichi Iha in 1979 in the Lansing, MI Hombu Dojo.
He is now one of Sensei Iha´s senior students. He began his martial arts training in 1969 with Judo.
He also studied Shoto Kan, Shorin Kan and Goju Ryu Karate. He has has trained in the martial arts for 50 years and taught for nearly 45 years. He now teaches classes 6 days per week.
A retired Foreign Service Officer and RPCV he taught the US Marines, US Embassy/Consulate Security Personnel, other Embassy Personnel, Foreign Security Agents, and people like you during long-term overseas assignments. During domestic assignments in the Washington, DC area he always taught a cadre of students.
Denise Hawkins Coursey, 3rd Degree
Denise started training in Beikoku Shidokan with Sensei Roberto Curtis in 2011. She began her martial arts training in 1998 and has also studied Koryu Uchinadi and Tae Kwon Do. For much of her martial arts career, she was one of only a few women at the dojo. As a result, she became passionate about bringing more women into the martial arts because it builds confidence in every aspect of life -- career, home, community, and, of course, in the ability to defend oneself.
Denise currently teaches four classes a week -- two womens classes on Tuesday & Thursday at 6 pm, and a fundamentals class for everyone on Wednesdays at 7 pm and Friday noon.
Outside the dojo, Denise formerly served as President of Motley Fool Asset Management, where she was also often the “only woman in the room.” Denise has a bachelor’s degree in English and an MBA with a marketing concentration from Mount St. Mary’s University.
Denise started training in Beikoku Shidokan with Sensei Roberto Curtis in 2011. She began her martial arts training in 1998 and has also studied Koryu Uchinadi and Tae Kwon Do. For much of her martial arts career, she was one of only a few women at the dojo. As a result, she became passionate about bringing more women into the martial arts because it builds confidence in every aspect of life -- career, home, community, and, of course, in the ability to defend oneself.
Denise currently teaches four classes a week -- two womens classes on Tuesday & Thursday at 6 pm, and a fundamentals class for everyone on Wednesdays at 7 pm and Friday noon.
Outside the dojo, Denise formerly served as President of Motley Fool Asset Management, where she was also often the “only woman in the room.” Denise has a bachelor’s degree in English and an MBA with a marketing concentration from Mount St. Mary’s University.
Maria Pangelinan,
3rd Degree Black Belt
Training since 2009
Emergency Medical Technician-Basic, EMT Certification (2019)
Senpai Maria started training under Sensei Roberto Curtis when she was 9 years old. When she was 15 years old, she received her 1st dan by Grandmaster Seigi Shiroma on the island of Guam. In June 2018, she graduated from South County High School in Lorton, VA. She is now a Biology major at George Mason University and a volunteer EMT with the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department. She continues to train with affiliated dojos and was recently promoted to her 3rd dan by Grandmaster Seigi Shiroma (2019). Her rank is certified by the Okinawa Shorin-ryu Karate-do Association.
3rd Degree Black Belt
Training since 2009
Emergency Medical Technician-Basic, EMT Certification (2019)
Senpai Maria started training under Sensei Roberto Curtis when she was 9 years old. When she was 15 years old, she received her 1st dan by Grandmaster Seigi Shiroma on the island of Guam. In June 2018, she graduated from South County High School in Lorton, VA. She is now a Biology major at George Mason University and a volunteer EMT with the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department. She continues to train with affiliated dojos and was recently promoted to her 3rd dan by Grandmaster Seigi Shiroma (2019). Her rank is certified by the Okinawa Shorin-ryu Karate-do Association.
