Meet OUR Staff


Our instructors have spent many years devoted to training in the art of Kenpo and other martial arts and have attained a level of expertise to qualify them as teachers and mentors.  Through extensive testing, certification and tournament level competition, our staff has attained mastery in this martial art and now enjoy sharing their skill and passing it on to their students.  Here are a few of East Taunton Kenpo Karate's instructors and staff members.

Owner/Associate Master of the Arts, Michael O'Handley Sr., 8th Degree Black Belt

Chronology


1969 - Began studying Uechi Ryu Karate at the Institute of Okinawan Karate in Boston, MA

1973 - Joined the US Air Force

1984 - Studied Shoalin Kempo Karate at the United Studios of Self Defense in Braintree, MA

1984  through 2000 - Competed actively in fighting, weapons and forms

1987 - Began assisting and teaching private lessons at United Studios in Braintree, MA under Myles Durkin

1989 through current - Participated in seminars actively since attending his first with Grand master Ed Parker, including seminars with Lee Wedlake and John Sepulveda

1990 - Floor tested and received first degree Black Belt under Myles and Larry Mangone from Avon, MA; Became a certified PKL Official under Nick Cerio

1991 - Began studying Parker American Kenpo Karate under Lenny Sprague of South Shore Martial Arts (SSMA) in Whitman, MA; Re-tested for first degree Black Belt in Parker American Kenpo, earning the title of Instructor;  Began instructing classes for SSMA centers in Whitman and Hanover, MA

1992 - Became a certified KRANE Official under Tony Cogliandro and Don Rodrigues

1994 - Floor tested and received second degree Black Belt from Tony Cogliandro and the American Kenpo International (AKI) testing board in Saugus, MA

1997 - Floor tested and received third degree Black Belt from Tony Cogliandro and the AKI Board

1998 - Became the Director of martial arts programs for the Little Gym in Raynham, MA

1999 - Opened East Taunton Kenpo Karate; Joined North East Karate Instructors Chinese Kenpo/Kempo (NEKICK) under Grand Master Alan Cunningham

1999 through 2003 - Presided as cross country running coach for Martin Middle school in Taunton, MA with teams winning  city championships every year

1999 through 2006 - Served on the Sensei Board, Advisers Board, Testing Board and School Owners Board, as well as co-directed a NEKICK Tournament

2000 - Floor tested under the NEKICK board, Shihan Myles Durkin of the Quanfa Association and Grand Master Alan Cunningham earning a promotion to fourth degree Black Belt with the title of Sensei

2001 - ETKK expanded to fitness programs, cardio kickboxing and Brazilian Jiu Jitsu

2003 - Floor tested with 24 hrs notice under the NEKICK Association and was promoted to fifth degree

Black Belt by Grand Master Alan Cunningham

2004 - After instructing a seminar at East Bridgewater High School for the NEKICK Association and International guests, was promoted to the title of Associate Professor

2006 - Began studying grappling and mixed martial arts (MMA) submission under Gracie Black Belt Andre Dedeco Almeida

2006 - Was asked by Grand Master Cogliandro to re affiliate with the American Kenpo International (AKI) Association

2007 through 2014 - Trained and operated a demo and tournament team; ran road races and marathons

2008  - Promoted by Master Cogliandro to sixth degree Black Belt, earning the title of Professor

2011 - Promoted by Grand Master Tony Cogliandro to seventh degree Black Belt, earning the title of Senior Professor

2013  - Began following and collaborating with Master Rich Hale

2014 - Retired as Manager of Maintenance Operations Support for the U.S. Postal Service after 37 years

2015 - Began following and training under Lee Wedlake

2021 - Promoted by Master Rich Hale to eighth degree Black Belt, earning the title of Associate Master of the Arts

Black Belt Instructors

Professor of the Arts, Jeffrey Besse, 6th Degree Black Belt

Senior Instructor, Stuart Parzyck, 5th Degree Black Belt

Manager/Senior Instructor, Tiffany Maclean, 4th Degree Black Belt

Jim Mulvey, 4th.. Degree Black Belt

 John Botelho, 3rd Degree Black Belt

Sheadon Jerman, 2nd. Degree Black belt

                                                                                                      Rick Desrochers, 2nd. Degree Black belt

Rich Faulkner, 1st. Degree Black belt.

Assistant Instructors

                                                                                                                                      Dave Sansone

                                                                                                                                    Jeff Cosetta,

Julia Keefe

Madison Daniels

Daid Gildred

Brady Reis

Jonah Brown

Russell Robinson

Kaleigh Pepin

Isaac Ross


Junior Instructors

                                                                                                                                   Mia medeiros

Bly Medeiros

Naurra Jocelyn


Junior Leaders

Leah Williams

Abraham Said

Lukas Bilotta

Mandy Menard

Jackson Clark

Isla Feijo

Beth Menard