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 lead instructor for Black Belt and Junior Black Belt Club. Founding instructor of after school programs.

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  (4th Dan Master Black Belt/Instructor) Sparring enthusiast, Master Epstein is a chief substitute lead instructor for all class levels.

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.

Joy Bondio  (Office Manager) Sales, bookkeeping, webmaster, desktop publishing, reception.

Christian Lee  (3rd Dan Black Belt) Main assistant for intermediate juniors classes.

M. Scott McDonald  (3rd Dan Black Belt/Instructor) Mr. McDonald teaches all levels of classes from Mighty Mites to advance juniors to adult classes.

Paul Kramer  (2nd dan Black Belt/Lead instructor) MMA and Juniors instructor.

Jacquelyn Palmquist  (2nd dan Black Belt/Instructor) Chief assistant with Junior classes.

Greg Mills 2nd dan Black Belt, Demo Team captain and leader of Black Belt Club and Junior Black Belt Club.

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.