Kyoshi Studebaker has had
37 years of experience in the Martial Arts, in many different styles.
He started his study of the martial arts in 1969 in Tae Kwon Do. He trained for 2
years then changed styles to Moo Duk Kwan Tang Soo Do, under Sensei Hank Murphy.
Traveling weekly to Flint, MI, from his home in Midland, MI. and training
with friends during the week, Kyoshi Studebaker achieved his first Dan on Oct. 1st,
1976.
By
competing in tournaments every weekend, other competitors had taken notice and invited
Kyoshi to train with them. His training expanded into Ike Shin Do, Bushido Kwan
where he obtained his 2nd Dan on Feb. 2, 1978.
He
was invited to train in Tae Kwan Do, and on July 26th 1980, he obtained his 3rd
Dan Black Belt. Training continued in Tae Kwon Do in Saginaw, MI during the week,
and on weekends he traveled to Grand Rapids, MI to train in Okinawan Shorin Ryu, where he
obtained a 3rd Dan Black Belt on Dec. 1st. 1980.
Still
competing heavily in the tournament circuit, he also started competing full contact
kickboxing and was invited to train in Jiu-Jitsu Kai, along with Sensei Steve Reynolds in
Toronto, Canada. Commuting back and forth with Sensei Reynolds, he received a 1st
Dan in Jiu-Jitsu Kai Feb. 27th. 1982, and in Okinawan Shorin Ryu he obtained
his 4th Dan on September 17th. 1982.
Retiring
from kickboxing and tournament competition in 1984, Kyoshi
Studebaker concentrated on his
training and his school, The Midland Martial Arts Academy, which was later changed to
Sidekicks Karate Club. He later
received his 5th Dan on Dec of 1989. On
Feb. 13th of 1994, he received his 6th Dan. With this promotion,
Sensei Yamashita gave him the "Honorary" title of Shihan
Studebaker. On Sept. 30th of 2006, he received his 7th Dan and
the title of Kyoshi from Sensei Tadashi Yamashita |
Michelle
began her martial arts career in 1994. With
much effort and extensive training from Shihan Studebaker and Sensei Yamashita, she earned
1st Dan Black Belt, October 24, 1999. With
3 1/2 more years of training and teaching, on March 15, 2003 Sensei Yamashita promoted her
to 2nd Dan Black Belt.
And after another 3 1/2 years, on September 30, 2006,
she received her 3rd Dan.
Her
teaching style is fun but in a disciplined manner. All
that she asks of her students is attention, respect, and to follow instructions to the
best of their ability. Safety is always a
priority.
Training
with Sensei Whittaker consists of the original Yamashita International Shorin Ryu
curriculum along with Shihan Studebaker's additional areas of expert teachings."
She actively encourages students to participate in Sensei Yamashita’s seminars and
local annual tournaments. Shihan Studebaker
and Sensei Whittaker’s students always take home top honors from the tournaments.
“I
am willing to teach those who are willing to learn. My
goal is to make those better prepared than they expect to be.” |
