The Academy of Traditional Karate employs internationally certified karate instructors who have achieved certified teaching ranks from Shidokan International.
Team Elite – The Academy’s Internationally Certified Karate Instructors & Staff
The Academy of Traditional Karate’s Team Elite members are highly dedicated and hard-working professional instructors who are on the cutting edge of teaching methods, curriculum development, and business strategy in the industry. Team Elite members possess the skills necessary to teach martial arts as well as character development and goal setting. They are a world class group of individuals who are constantly striving to have the greatest possible impact on their students while sharing the art of karate.
Hanshi
Todd J. Keane
- 8th Degree Black Belt (Hachidan) in Matsubayashi Karate-Do
- 3rd Degree Black Belt (Sandan) in Okinawan Kobudo (Weaponry)
- Hanshi has also trained in Yang Tai Chi, Chi Kung, Goju-Ryu Karate, Fencing, Shotokan Karate, Ju-Jitsu, Kendo, Iaido, and Shiatsu, Various Philipino Martial Arts, Traveled to Okinawa, Japan to meet and train with Grand Master Shoshin Nagamine.
- Started training in the martial arts in 1979, starting the study of Karate in 1983
- MBA, Bentley College
- BS in Computer Information Systems, Bentley College
- Certified in CPR and First Aid
- Previous Professional Experience – Owned and operated a small business, Systems Analyst for Hewlett Packard Company
- Accomplishments –Raising two wonderful children
- Interests – History; Asian Studies; Personal Development, particularly peak performance and team building consistent with positive values; playing with my son and daughter.
Shidoshi
Kristen A. Keane
- Assistant Managing Director
- 7th Degree Black Belt (Rokyudan) in Matsubayashi Karate-Do
- 1st Degree Black Belt (Shodan) in Okinawan Kobudo (Weaponry)
- Former Instructor of the Year
- Started training at the Academy Of Traditional Karate in 1990
- Martial Arts Background: Kobudo Shodan, Tai Chi- Yang Style Short Form, Co-Chair USA-NKF Massachusetts for 1 year, Tournament Director, Traveled to Okinawa, Japan to meet and train with Grand Master Shoshin Nagamine, Fencing, Level 1 Shiatsu
- BS Business Admin. – Merrimack College
- CPR & First Aid Certified
- Interests other than Karate: her family, her friends, gardening, cooking.
- Other accomplishments: 2 Children with a wonderful husband, helping to develop the students of ATK and assist them in reaching their goals, helped to raise thousands of dollars for MDA.
Renshi
Steve Kalkwarf
- 4th Degree Black Belt (Yondan) in Matsubayashi Karate-Do
- 1st Degree Black Belt (Shodan) in Okinawan Kobudo (Weaponry)
- Renshi Teaching title
- Former Adult Instructor of the Year
- Senior Software Engineer
- Certified in CPR
- Interests: Tinkering with vintage vacuum tube audio; Listening to instrumental surf music (among other genres); Solving interesting technical problems; Reading almost anything.
Renshi
Anthony Alessandro
- 4th Degree Black Belt (Yondan) in Matsubayashi Karate-Do
- Former Instructor of the Year
- Bachelor of Arts Degree from Stonehill College, double majored in Elementary Education and American Studies
- Licensed Massachusetts State Teacher
- First aid Certified, CPR Certified
- Full Time Program Director at the Academy
- Has been training at the Academy since 7 years old
Sensei
Arianna Crawford
- 2nd degree Black Belt in Matsubayashi Karate-Do
- Oldest of 9 children
- CPR/first aid certified
- Black Belt in Kobudo (hard weapons)
- Active member of her church
- Former Instructor of the Year
- Training since 12 years old
- Studying to earn a degree in education/speech pathology
- Loves helping others and working with teens and children
Sensei
CJ Anderson
- 2nd Degree Black Belt (Nidan) in Matsubayashi Karate-Do
- Graduated from Merrimack College
- Enjoys working with children
- Former Instructor of the Year
- Training since age 4
- Currently a real estate paralegal when not teaching in the dojo
- Always happy to help others
- CRP and 1st aid certified
Sempai
Ela Karnesky
- Training since 7 years old
- Shodan (first degree black belt)
- Attends Umass Lowell for biomedical engineering
- Trains with brother and father
Sempai
Ethan Karnesky
- Training since 9 years old
- Training with his sister and father since 2010
- Attends ULM with a major in mechanical engineering
- Shodan (First degree Black Belt)
Sensei
MJ Scaramozzino
- 2nd Degree Black Belt (Nidan) in Matsubayashi Karate-Do
- Black Belt in Kobudo (Weapons)
- Reached 8th degree junior Black Belt in Matsubayashi Karate-Do
- Attending UMass Lowell
- Played in the high school band
- CRP Certified, 1st aid certified
- Started Karate at age 4
Sensei
Dean Velozo
- 3rd Degree Black Belt (Sandan ) Matsubayashi Karate Do
- 3rd Degree Black Belt (Sandan) Shotokan Karate
- Former Instructor of the year
- Started training in martial arts in 1980
- Previous Training: Judo, Mauy Thai, Shotokan Karate, Kickboxing, Boxing
- 3 Children, 3 Grandchildren and a very supportive wife
- Other interests include: Skiing around the country, Fishing, Golf, and enjoy watching my youngest son play AAU & High School Baseball
Sempai
Peter Mottolo
- Training since 4 years old
- Enjoys drums and gaming
- Enjoys working with all different types of students to help them get the best out of themselves
- Shodan (First degree Black Belt)
Sempai
Domenic Guisti
- Has been training since 8 years of age
- Joshu Shoban (first degree junior black belt)
- Enjoys making YouTube videos, bike riding, spending time with family, and most importantly, training at karate.
Shidoin
Diya Shah
- Training since 10 years old
- Enjoy reading, music, and horseback riding
- Nikyu (second-degree brown belt)
Sempai
Maddie Dillon
Shidoin
Lauren Farelli
- Nikyu (second degree brown belt)
- Trains with family (including 2 siblings and dad)
- Enjoys writing and singing, and also loves expanding a jewelry collection
Sempai
Aidan Ruelos
Shidoin
James Mottolo
