I started my martial arts path in 1973 at the age of 12. My parents enrolled me in one of  3 Karate schools that were in Rhode Island at the time. It was a school of Uechi-ryu Karate and even to this day, I am still practicing and passionate about this style.

In 1990, I attended a martial arts camp in Cazanovia, NY and it completely altered my view and path regarding the martial arts. I took classes in Filipino Kali, Jeet Kune Do and Thai Boxing from Sifu Kevin Seaman. Those classes, along with all of the others that weekend opened my eyes to a world that I had not seen before.

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From that day on, I was obsessed with learning and traveled all over the country to train with some of the finest martial arts instructors in the world. In addition to my primary teachers, I have had the pleasure of working with: Sifu Larry Hartsell, Sifu Francis Fong, Ajar Chai Sirisute, Sifu Steve Grody, Master Larry Tatum, Master Remy Presas, Rickson Gracie, Jeff Speakman, Sifu Tim Tackett, and many others. They have all contributed to me and I am eternally grateful.

In 1994 I attended Sifu Kevin's camp (The Northeast Martial Arts Conference) and was exposed to Guro Dan Inosanto for the first time. What an experience. Training with Guro Dan is not always convenient, but I have made the effort to travel to where ever he is, as often as possible. What he has taught me over the years is priceless and the example he sets as a martial artist and a human being is beyond description.

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In 2012, my JKD and Kali teacher of 23 years, Sifu Kevin Seaman, honored me with the rank of Senior Instructor. Only 2 other people had been awarded this rank by him at that time. It signifies over 20 years of consistent training with him. Sifu is an excellent martial artist and amazing instructor. (he is a Senior  Full Instructor of JKD & Kali under Guro Dan and has been his student since the early 1980's) Sifu Kevin has taught me the importance of professionalism and inspired me to continue to grow in my own training and as an instructor.

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Sifu Kevin also recommended me into the Instructors Program of the Inosanto Academy of Martial Arts and I am proud to say I am an Associate Instructor under Guro Dan Inosanto.

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My goal has always been to run the finest martial arts academy possible. Our classes are a great workout. They are safe, informative, and ego free.  Our credentials are impeccable.

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I invite you to come and visit our dojo and see one of our JKD or Kali classes in action. I look forward to meeting you.

Sifu Raffi A. Derderian

 

 

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