Instructors

Donna Wieting
Ms. Wieting holds a Yondan, fourth degree black belt, in the traditional Okinawan martial art of Uechi-Ryu karate-do.  She was awarded this degree before a panel of master instructors in Okinawa, Japan, in 2004.  Donna has studied a variety of martial arts for over 30 years, including the arts of judo, jiu jitsu, and tae kwon do.  She has been training in Uechi-ryu karate for the last 15 years at the Washington Karate Academy, under the tutelage of Robert Kaiser, Renshi-Rokudan, and his teachers, Frank Gorman, 8th degree black belt, and Sensei Ken Nakamatsu, 9th degree black belt, of Okinawa.

Donna also holds a Shodan, first degree black belt, in Okinawan weapons, under the instruction of Sensei Rik Lostritto and Sensei Shinyo Gushi of California.  She has a degree and teaching experience in secondary education, has been a karate teacher for over 10 years, and holds the teaching rank of Shidoin, apprentice instructor certification. Donna is certified in First Aid and CPR through the American Heart Association.

Dana Sheets
Ms. Sheets has more than ten years experience training and teaching in the Martial Arts.  Her studies have included judo, arnis, adrenal stress training, and Uechi-Ryu. Ms. Sheets currently holds the rank of yondan, fourth degree black belt in Uechi-Ryu and also holds the teaching rank of Shidoin - an apprentice instructor certification.

Daniel Speck
Mr. Speck has more than ten years experience training and teaching in the Martial Arts. His studies have inlucded Shito-Ryu, and Uech-Ryu. Mr. Speck currently holds the rank of yondan, fourth degree black belt in Uechi-Ryu. Mr. Speck teaches adult as well as children's classes.

Laura Montgomery
Ms. Montgomery has more than ten years experience training and teaching in the Martial Arts. She first started training in Uechi-Ryu during college in the 1980's and then returned to her training in 2001. Ms. Montgomery holds the ranks of Nidan, second degree black belt.