Instructors

Instructors

  Sensei John Simpson earned a 5th degree black belt and title of Sensei from Zen Budokai East Martial Arts Center. Sensei Simpson, the owner, began studying martial arts in 1984. and has trained in Judo, Hapkido, Ninjutsu, and Mas Oyama Karate. He received his first black belt under NATA Tae Kwon Do. He maintains his 2nd degree through Academy of Korean Martial Arts under Sah Bum Nim John Mclaughlin (4th Dan). Sensei Simpson is a vice-president of investments, located in Wilton CT. He has been a Financial Consultant since 1989.
     
  Sensei James Fiddes earned a 4th degree black belt and title of Sensei from the Zen Budokai East Martial Arts Center, 3rd degree black belt in jujitsu and 1st degree black belt in Judo from the USJA, and 2nd degree black belt in Nihon Jujutsu. Sensei Fiddes has also studied white crane and preying mantis kung fu under Sifu Chen, and continues his studies in Hakku-ryu Jujitsu under Professor Harry Glackin, 8th degree black belt, and was awarded a 4th degree black belt. Sensei Fiddes has been an educator for 37 yrs, 31 of them in the Danbury middle and High school. Currently teaching earth & environmental science at an alternative high school in NY, and is adjunct biology professor at Sacred Heart University in Fairfield.
     
  Sensei Vincent Lajoie earned a 4th degree black belt in Jujitsu and title of Sensei from the Zen Budokai East, and a 1st degree black belt in Judo from Sensei Pereira, former National Brazilian Judo Champion. Sensei Lajoie has also competed in numerous judo tournaments, worked with students training to enter the Olympics and with fighters training to enter the UFC. (Ultimate Fighting Championship). Sensei Lajoie is a sergeant with the Danbury Police Dept., former member of the SWAT team and is certified by the state of CT as a Defensive Tactics instructor.
     
  Sensei Kenneth Lerman earned a 4th degree black belt and title of Sensei from Zen Budokai East. Sensei Lerman is also certified by the state of CT as an EMT and is a volunteer with the Newtown Ambulance Service.
     
  Sensei Magaly Macaluso earned a 4th degree black belt and title of Sensei for Zen Budokai East Martial Arts Center, Sensie Macaluso is employed in the finance department in Danbury city hall. She is the mother of three.
     
  Sempai Cortland Hambrecht earned a 2nd degree black belt in Jujitsu and title of Sempai from Zen Budokai East. Sempai Hambrecht has trained for several years at Zen Budokai East. In addition to his training at the school, Mr. Hambrecht has trained with several ju-jitsu and judo instructors in the local area including; Professor Jerry Kunzman 9th dan Zen Budo Ryu, Professor Harry Glackin10th dan Goshindo Jitsu, Sensei Russ St. Hilaire6th dan Kobukai Ju-Jitsu, and Sensei Sean Jugler5th dan Zen Budo Ryu. Mr. Hambrecht is an elementary school teacher in Danbury.
    "I visited every martial art school in the area. When I started to explore different styles of martial arts, I found only one style had the beauty and discipline of all martial arts and the ‘street’ applicability, which I needed as a police officer. The style I chose has saved my life and assisted me perform my duties as a police officer. That style is Jujitsu.”
- Sensei Richard Murphy