Karate & Fitness
Wakefield, RI
INSTRUCTORS
Sensei Kaela J Dionne
Instructor/Dojo Manager/Owner
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Sensei Kaela started her career in the Martial Arts under the instruction of Kyoshi Chick Gavitt at 8 years old. She has her 3rd degree black belt in Shorin-ryu Shidokan karate, and her 1st degree black belt in kobudo. Sensei Kaela loves to kick, and enjoys teaching life skills to her students. Her life goal was to make a difference in the well being of children, and she decided to make Martial Arts her full-time career, and continued passion.Sensei Kaela uses her education to further educate her students, and share with her team. She has a B.A. in Elementary Education, and in Art. She also has a M.A. in Special Education, with focus on behavior intervention. Sensei Kaela also holds a certification in MMA Fitness, along with a level 1 TRX certification.
What does Sensei Kaela teach?
Jr. Black Belts, Youth karate, Little Dragons, Little Ninja, Traditional Weapons, Hyper Martial Arts, Ichiban Demonstration Team, STORM Team, and Fitness Kickboxing.
Dan Spatt, Instructor
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Sensei Dan Spatt started his career in the Martial Arts under the instruction of Kyoshi Chick Gavitt at the age of 10, in 1991. Sensei Dan has been training and teaching at Ichiban for over 25 years, and has held the rank of 4th Degree Black Belt in Shorin Ryu Shidokan since 2008.
Sensei Dan is a graduate of Cornell University, and works at Harvard Medical School as a Biologist/Researcher/Lab Manager. His dedication to Karate, to Ichiban, and to his students is clear, as he commutes to Ichiban from Boston each week. He considers Ichiban family and says he is proud and honored to be a part of his students growth and achievement.
As much as Sensei Dan loves karate, he also loves life and traveling. If, on occasion, you can't find him at Ichiban on a Monday night, he may have wandered off to climb a far away mountain or cross a desert. But he'll be back.
What does Sensei Dan teach?
All levels of Adult Martial Arts and Traditional Weapons
Julie Conte, Instructor
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Sensei Julie Conte started her training in the Martial Arts in 2005, and received her third degree black belt in 2017, in Shorin Ryu Shidokan. Sensei Julie loves to teach basics, and traditional karate material. Her favorite part of martial arts is the art and beauty of kata. She has gained strength, confidence and courage that she would never have found anywhere else!
Sensei Julie has a BSN from URI, and has dedicated most of her nursing career in the specialty of neonatal intensive care, as both staff nurse and assistant nurse manager.
Julie is one of the founding members of the non-profit KIAI, a karate scholarship organization. She served as president 2006-2015 and remains on the Board of Directors today.
Sensei Julie’s two children are both 3rd degree black belts, and have been Julie’s biggest inspiration!
What does Sensei Julie teach?
Adult beginner/intermediate level Karate classes.
Here's what our members and students have to say!
"One year ago I began a new journey...I am honored that today, my son's Sensei is now my Sensei Brett Geaber. Sensei Stan, Sensei Kaela, Sensei Vinny, and Sensei Mark, I thank you for helping me grow as a martial artist. This journey has led me to some amazing people that inspire me always, and that I am truly PROUD to call my Ichiban Family. Osu! From the bottom of my heart, thank you. We truly are Kyoshi Strong!"
"This place is professionally and passionately run. Along with better muscle control and balance I have seen my two boys gain confidence in themselves that karate seems to have a somewhat unique ability to deliver. Ichiban's staff does an exceptional job of creating a safe, fun and challenging atmosphere that any parent should strive to have their child exposed to. The kids in the program themselves become the role models you want your child looking up to."