Our Instructors

Mr. Smith began his martial arts training in the British Army at the age of 16. His chosen field in the military was music and studied at the Royal Military School of Music Knellar Hall in Twickenham, London where he qualified as a Bandmaster. During his 14 years as a Chief Petty Officer with the Royal Navy Reserve he got the opportunity of training with the Royal Marines and qualified as a Bandmaster. During his time in the military, Mr. Smith got the privilege of being the Queen’s personal trumpeter where he served for nine months. This is one of the proudest moments in his life.

During his time at Knellar Hall, Mr. Smith started studying Judo and Aikido under the instruction of Mr. B. Langton and Mr. J. Elkin. In 1962, Mr. Smith received his 1st Degree Black Belt in Judo and 1st Kyu Brown Belt in Aikido. He received these grades through the Amateur Judo Association and the Army Judo Association.

During his studies, he met Master Leong Fu. Subsequently, he began studying Kung Fu. In 1963, Mr. Smith received his Kung Fu 1st degree Black Belt.

After leaving the military in 1964, he met Mr. M Mahon. In 1968, Mr. Smith started training in Kenpo Karate. In 1972, Mr. Smith was recognized as the first brown belt in the Island Jersey under the guidance of Mr. M Mahon. Shortly after he took time out to start a family.

In 1986, Mr. Smith started learning Ed Parkers American Kenpo. He suffered a severe knee injury in late 1987 that put him out of training for over a year. Mr. Smith began training again in 1989. In 1992, Mr. Smith was promoted to brown belt. Two years later, he earned his 1st Degree Black Belt from the International Kenpo Karate Association (IKKA). In 1996 he received his 2nd Degree Black Belt from the IKKA. In 2000 he received his 3rd degree Black Belt from the IKKF. In 2004 he received his 4th degree from Mr G Lelliott.

Mr. Smith organized the 1993, 1994 and 1996 IKKA International competitions having top instructors from the USA to teach seminars. People from from all over Europe and the USA to compete. These weekends were always successful and pulled together the Kenpo community from many different countries.

Over the years, Mr. Smith has had the opportunity to train with some of the best Kenpo Instructors. Ed Parker Sr, Lee Wedlake Jr, Richard “Huk” Planas, Graham Lelliott, Maurice Mahon and Zach Whitson are just a few.

Mr. Smith originally started The Dragon’s Way School of Kenpo in 1996 at St Mary’s School on the Island of Jersey. After moving back to the USA November 2000, Mr. Smith left his brown belt in charge. In March of 2001, The Dragon’s Way School of Kenpo came to Carlisle and continues to grow.

Mr. Smith continues to study the art of Kenpo Karate under one of Mr. Ed Parker Sr’s 1st generation Black Belt, Associate Master of the art Mr. G Lelliott 8th Degree Black Belt Kenpo Karate. Mr. Smith’s goal is to continue teaching Kenpo Karate using Judo and Aikido to complement and enhance Kenpo teachings.

Mrs. Smith’s first introduction into the martial arts came in 1991 when she started studying Kung Fu under Mr. M Du Feu on the Island of Jersey. However, in 1993 she changed to Kenpo Karate. as she found it to be more practical, challenging and invigorating.

In 1996 she sustained a knee injury preventing her from training for 6 months. Sadly, in 1999 her father passed away before she earned her Black Belt in 2000 under the Irish Kenpo Karate Federation (IKKF). Suk is the first person from the Island of Jersey to obtain the rank of Black Belt under Mr. M Mahon, 9th Degree Black Belt in Kenpo. Some of the other panel members were Mr. S Paget (7th Degree Black Belt in Kenpo), Mr. B Coleman (6th Degree Black Belt in Kenpo), Mr. P Coleman (4th Degree Black Belt in Kenpo), and Mr. D L Smith (3rd Degree Black Belt in Kenpo). She received her 2nd Degree under Mr. D L Smith and Mr. G Lelliott in 2002. In June 2006, she received her 3rd Degree Black Belt under Mr. G. Lelliott, Mr. D. L Smith, Mr. J Henderson, Mr. F Bell & Mr. D Davis. In 2009 she achieved the rank of 4th Degree Black Belt under Mr. G. Lelliott, Mr. L. Wedlake, Mr. I. Johansson, Mr. D. L. Smith, Mr. I Harris & Mr. P. McMurray.

Suk has also trained with the same prominent instructors as Mr. Smith. Suk continues her training under Associate Master Mr. G Lelliott 8th Degree Black Belt in Kenpo Karate.  Suk is also studying Modern Arnis under Datu Tim Hartman.  Datu Tim Hartman is a direct student of the late Remy Presas.  Datu Tim teaches the family systems of Modern Arnis and Kombaton.

Suk moved to the USA with her husband in November 2000 where she co-owns their school. She is a certified Personal Trainer through NASM and she has graduated with honors from California University of Pennsylvania in May 2010 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Sports Management.

Suk is teaching a children’s program at Hope Station, teaching the staff at Carlisle Cares Homeless Shelter and at the Salvation Army.  Mrs. Smith continues her work also through Got Pink Power which is a women’s only program focusing empowering women through self defense and knowledge.  Teaching through workshops in the studio, local businesses through lunch and learns, teaching at the YWCA and much more.

James started his training in 2007 as a way to get in shape and to learn how to protect his family. In March 2011, James was promoted to the rank of 1st Degree Brown Belt. In addition, he was also promoted to the position of Assistant Instructor under the guidance of Mr. and Mrs. Smith. James continues his quest for his Black Belt and enjoys both learning from and teaching other class members in the art of Kenpo. James achieved the prestigious rank of 1st Degree Black Belt on October 1st 2011.

Jeremy started his training in 2009 as a way of getting in shape and losing weight. Over the last two years of training, Jeremy has learned a lot about himself and his abilities. In September 2010, Jeremy was promoted to the rank of Green Belt. He was also promoted to the position of Assistant Instructor under the guidance of Mr. and Mrs. Smith. Jeremy achieved his brown belt under Mr. & Mrs. Smith in March 2011. Since his promotion, Jeremy has showed a great desire to teach children how to defend themselves against bullies in school and in life.