Our Instructors & Staff Members

Our Instructors have spent many years devoted to training in the art of Tang Soo Do and other martial arts and have attained a certain level of expertise to qualify them as teachers and also mentors.

Through extensive testing, certification and tournament level competition, our staff has attained mastery in this martial art and now enjoy sharing their skill and passing it on to their students. Here are a few of T.O./WESTLAKE Karate Studio's instructors and other staff members, starting with Dennis Ichikawa:

Dennis Ichikawa  (8th dan/grandmaster)  Grandmaster Dennis Ichikawa is the owner/chief instructor of the T.O./Westlake Karate Studio, and founder of the American Tang Soo Do Alliance. He began his training with Chuck Norris in 1970, opened his first studio in 1974 with partner, Harold Gross and began the Thousand Oaks/Westlake Karate Studio in 1987.

Tiffany Wing  (6th Dan Black Belt/Asst. chief instructor)  Highest ranking female in the system. In charge of Black Belt operations in the studio.

Justin Ichikawa  (5th Dan Master)  Former Demo Team leader and dynamic performer, Master Ichikawa is one of our most skilled instructors as well. The former instructor of Black Belt Club, which is a testiment to his teaching/coaching skills. Founding instructor of after school programs. Now temporarily living in New York.

Darnell Mayfield  (5th dan master black belt/ instructor)  Master Mayfield is one of the creative genius' behind the famous Demo Team for our studio. Potlucks/Belt Presentations are always more exciting with Master Mayfield and the Demo Team performers showing off their skills. Accomplished weapons expert.

Gary East  (4th dan Master black belt/ instructor/grappling instructor)  Highest ranking grappling student of Slava Vilshtein, and lead grappling instructor. 4th dan on 03/08. Lead instructor.

Melessa Lee  (3rd Dan Black Belt/ Mighty Mites instructor)  Instructor of the Mighty Mites (3 yr olds), Mrs. Lee is instrumental in the success of our program.

Francine Epstein  (3rd Dan Black Belt/Instructor) Sparring enthusiast, Ms. Epstein is a rotating member of our Monday night Beginner/Intermediate Adult Classes.

Helga Kaltenbrunner  (3rd dan Black Belt, Instructor)  Rotating Beginner/Intermediate Monday night class instructor.

David Harris  (2nd Dan Black Belt/Black Belt Club, Jr. BBC, MMA instructor)  2nd dan Black Belt. Jr. and Sr. Black Belt Club instructor and MMA instructor.

A.J. Bondio  (1st dan Black Belt/ Jr. assistant instructor) A.J. is the lead assistant instructor for children's classes and a dynamic performer on the Demo Team.

For more information about the T.O./WESTLAKE Karate Studio staff or training programs, please contact us at 818-889-3333 or by clicking here.