Instructors

	Sensei Ragnar Avery Renshi Ragnar Avery (Sensei Rags) is a Sixth Degree Black Belt in Yamashita International Shorin Ryu and Fourth Degree Black Belt in Yamashita-Matayoshi Zen Okinawan Weapons (Kobudo). He has trained 29 years in the martial arts and has studied primarily in Shorin Ryu, although he trained three years in Isshin Ryu. He toured Okinawan Japan, the birthplace of karate, with Sensei Tadashi Yamashita and participated in the 1999 World Okinawan Kobudo demonstration in Naha, Okinawa. He also accompanied Sensei Tadashi Yamashita on a trip to Japan in 2001 and 2003.
Sensei Avery has hosted a number of martial arts seminars locally and has been instrumental in the founding of a traditional Okinawan Kobudo and Yamashita International Shorin Ryu Karate program in his community. He runs the adult and children's classes and is the overall instructor of the various programs. Sensei Rags is highly respected among his karate students as well as his peers. He has successfully operated the current karate program together for more than 19 years. Sensei believes that karate brings about a strong mental discipline and better self-image as reflected by the his celebrated performance as an instructor as well as an upstanding citizen as shown in his and his student's motivational lifestyles. Sensei Rags is Executive Account Manager for New Market Development for the well known Dow Corning Corporation of Midland, Michigan.


Sensei Kevin Lee DO Shihan Kevin Lee is a fourth degree black belt in Shorin Ryu and a third degree black belt in Okinawan weapons (Kobudo). He has trained over 17 years in Shorin Ryu and was one of Sensei Avery's first students. He also participated in the Okinawan weapons demonstration in 1999 and toured Okinawa and Japan in 2001, 2003 and 2006 with Sensei Tadashi Yamashita. He specializes primarily in one-steps, forms and Kobudo.
Sensei Kevin founded the Matayoshi Kobudo (Okinawan Weapons) program at Budokan Karate. He is highly respected for his training and teaching of the ancient martial art of Kobudo. Sensei Kevin is a member of the Central Michigan University Faculty leading their ER training within the Physician's Assistant Program.


	Sensei Fred Nichols Fred Nichols has been studying and teaching Karate to students over 38 years and hold the rank of 6th Dan. Fred comes to us from the sister school located in Mishawaka , Indiana . With his experience, active and strong involvement of Yamashita International Karate, Fred is a valuable addition to the Budokan family. Fred's work as an engineer brought him to the Midland area and our school. Sensei Rags met Fred at one of his first national seminars in Milwaukee Wisconsin in 1987.


Sensei Keith Abbey The late Sensei Keith Abbe was a second degree black belt in Shorin Ryu and a first degree black belt in Okinawan weapons (Kobudo). He trained 11 years in Shorin Ryu and trained as one of Sensei Avery's first students with Dr. Lee. He was the other instructor of the Kobudo program with Sensei Avery.
Keith specialized primarily in one-steps, grab arts and Kobudo. Sensei Abbe was a school teacher at The Adult Continuing Education School in Midland, Michigan. On March 7th 2004, we lost our good friend, teacher and training partner to a mountain climbing accident. Jeff Passage and he were on the final ascent when they were swarmed by killer bees that led to Keith's fatal accident.
Together, as Brothers: We've laughed and cried. Together, as Brothers: We fought side by side. These two different worlds From which we came, But in our hearts We were one and the same.
This place this creed that we live by, I never would have dreamed, that you would ever die. To those who remember, you were a man among men. To me you were more, you were my best friend. Someday, somewhere, we will meet again, Because we will always be BROTHERS TO THE END! By Dale Sizmore


	Sensei David Quinnan Sensei David Quinnan has trained with Sensei Avery's school since 1999, attending numerous regional and national Yamashita International Seminars. He got his third degree black belt in the November of 2009. David is currently developing his career in auto body detailing and repair. David has developed a passion working with children in our youth program. He and Jason Johnson are the lead instructors of our popular Juniors karate program.


Sensei Jason Johnson Sensei Jason Johnson has trained with Sensei Ragnar Avery's school since 1999, attending numerous national and regional Yamashita International Seminars. He got his third degree black belt in the fall of 2008. Jason is currently employed as the head noodle chef at Krysiak's in Bay City, Michigan. Jason has a passion in teaching young people karate. He has been a driving force to the success our the Budokan's Junior & Dynomite Youth Karate program.
He has accepted responsibility to be the lead instructor of the Midland dojo of Yamashita International Budokan Karate LLC. Jason's passion for teaching and his love of the martial arts have inspired and motivated many of the students that have worked under him.


	Sensei Jeff Passage Sensei Jeff Passage has trained in Shorin Ryu Karate since the summer of 2002. In the Fall of 2008 Jeff successfully tested for his Nidan (2nd Degree Blackbelt) in Yamashita International Shorin Ryu Karate. In the Spring of 2009 Jeff followed up this accomplishment with the successful testing of his Nidan (2nd Degree Blackbelt) in Yamashita/Matayoshi Kobudo (Okinawan Weapons).
Jeff has a very active lifestyle participating in endurance races, mountain biking and rock climbing. Jeff has a martial arts experience that goes back to his wrestling in High School and his four years in the Rangers. Jeff actually knew a number of the real Rangers for the incident that inspired the movie "Blackhawk Down". Jeff currently works as computer network technician installing computer communication equipment in schools, hospitals and businesses. Sensei Jeff is the lead instructor for the Midland Kobudo (Okinawan Weapons) Program. Jeff's dedication to this ancient art of fighting has seen the program grow dramatically.


Sensei Jack Acker Sensei Jack Acker has trained in Shorin Ryu Karate since the summer of 2000. In the spring of 2006 Jack successfully tested for his Shodan (1st Degree Blackbelt) in Yamashita International Shorin Ryu Karate. Jack participates in the Yamashita/Matayoshi Kobudo program as a First Degree Brown Belt. Jack has also got three years experience training in Kung Fu before beginning his training in Shorin Ryu Karate. Jack currently working with his father's business in Heating, Ventilating & Air Conditioning.


	Sensei David Roof Junior Blackbelt - June 2008 Successfully tested for Adult Blackbelt Shodan - May 8th 2010 Brothers David and Michael are the first Junior Black Belts in the Budokan Karate Program


Michael Roof Junior Blackbelt - June 2008 Successfully tested for Adult Blackbelt Shodan - May 8th 2010 Brothers David and Michael are the first Junior Black Belts in the Budokan Karate Program


	Sensei Ernie Riley Ernie has trained in the Yamashita International martial art of Kobyashi Shorin Ryu under the direction of Ragnar Avery Sensei at Yamashita International Budokan since 2006. He received his Shodan (1st degree black belt) in November 13th of 2009 and has been training in Yamashita-Matayoshi Kobudo (Okinawan Weapons) for the past 2 years. Ernie's other hobbies include bicycle road racing and adventure racing. Ernie received his Masters Degree in Biology in 1999 and is currently employed as the Eastern Regional Sales Manager for the Promega Corporation.


Sensei Robert Noggle Rob began training in Yamashita Kobayashi Shorin-ryu in 2006 and earned his shodan in May 2010. During high school and college, he trained in the Matsubayashi branch of Shorin-Ryu, and earned a brown belt (san-kyu) in 1989. During college, he also earned a green belt in Isshin-ryu and took introductory courses in Tai Chi and Western Boxing. He is a philosophy professor at Central Michigan University.


	Michael Moore - Junior Blackbelt Michael's family has been a strong supporter of the Budokan Karate program for the last six years. It was a pleasure to test Michael just before the family made their move to Tokyo, Japan for an extended work relocation.


Black Belt Honor Roll

Dr. Kevin Lee, Keith Abbe, Mike Thelen, Chris French, Ben Zerbe, Jake Peterson, Lisa Hudson, Steven Zier, Jason Johnson, David Quinnan, Jeff Passage, Jack Acker, David Roof, Michael Roof, Ernie Riley, Dr. Robert Noggle, Michael Moore - Junior Blackbelt