Carmen has been practicing Katori since 2015. She is a clinical psychologist, and mindfulness and martial arts instructor. Her practice as a clinical psychologist focuses on individual and group mindfulness-based psychotherapy with adults, and the intention of her work is to decrease suffering and nurture well-being. She has been practicing and teaching Taekwondo for over 25 years and is currently 5th Dan in the discipline.

Maria has a background in the martial arts dating back to 1982 when she first started training in Okinawan Karate-do. Today, she and Jeff Hempel Sensei own and operate East Madison Martial Arts where she holds the rank of yodan (4th degree black belt). Maria also studies Aikido at Aikido of Madison. Having had an interest in weapons training for decades, Maria is now actively studying Katori and looks forward to many years of training.

Nitaya began studying Katori Shinto Ryu in 2014. Nitaya also has studied Shorin-Ryu Karate and Okinawan Kobudo. Nitaya is originally from Krabi, Thailand, but now lives in Minnesota with her husband, Scott.

Guy Fields has been studying Katori at EMMA for a number of years. Mr. Fields (aka Grand Master Guy Lee Fields) is an instructor at Warriors Academy in Mount Horeb, WI where he has been an active teacher for 10+ years. When he's not studying martial arts, he's busy with his band, "Kronic Jones," playing throughout Madison.

Bruce has been a Katori member since 2014. He has been practicing and teaching martial arts for over 40 years and holds the rank of 5th Dan in Taekwondo. Bruce is passionate about helping others through his involvement with the Lions Club and other organizations such as Combat Blindness International and the Haiti Medical Mission of Wisconsin. He loves to travel and meet new friends across the world and is an accomplished woodworker.

Steven is a college student who has been studying Katori since 2011. Steven grew up in a household where both of his parents studied the art of Aikido and has had an interest in Japanese sword arts from a very early age. He enjoys both the physical and the philosophical side of the martial arts. Steven enjoys reading sci-fi and fantasy novels; playing video, board and RP6 games with friends and computer programming.

Matthew began studying Katori in 2014 as part of a study group in Minnesota. He was introduced to the art by fellow Katori practitioners who knew he was interested in the study of swordsmanship. Matthew has always had an interest in Japanese swords. He now channels that interest in to a YouTube channel with literally tens of viewers. Click here to, enjoy Matt's YouTube Channel.

Robert has been studying Katori Shinto Ryu since 2011. He currently holds the rank of mokuroku. As a student of Japanese language, literature and culture, traditional Japanese martial arts were a natural path for Robert. He has experience in Muso Jikiden Eishin-ryu iaijutsu and Senshin-ryu Jujutsu. Robert has a love for theatre and, when the opportunity arises, enjoys taking the stage. Robert also enjoys tabletop games, hiking, kayaking, and trying new foods.

Scott has been studying martial arts since 1987. He began studying Katori Shinto Ryu in 1993 in Napa, CA. Scott moved to Minnesota in 1998, where he still lives with his wife Nitaya, who also studies Katori. In 2009, Sugawara Sensei granted Scott a mokuroku in Katori Shinto Ryu. Scott currently leads a small Katori Study Group in Eden Prairie, Minnesota which is a branch of EMMA (East Madison Martial Arts). Scott also holds a rank of 3rd Dan in Shorin-Ryu Karate and a rank of 3rd Dan in Okinawan Kobudo.

Mike is from La Crosse, WI where he has trained in Katori since 2003. He is currently working as a registered nurse, but also has a degree in Practitioner of Healing Arts. He enjoys the calm of meditation, Reiki and Qi Gong. Although he had previously studied Aikido, he has always been fasinated with feudal Japan, weapons and armor.