Instructors

Master White has been contributing to the art of American Kenpo for over fifty-years. On the tournament circuit he won numerous State, national, and international fighting championships. Bob White fought on the National All-Star Black Belt Team, which went undefeated in 1973 and 1974. As a teacher and coach, he has consistently turned out some of the world’s finest karate fighters. Bob White and his wife Barbara conduct seminars throughout the United States, South America, and Europe. They are both professional instructors who enjoy sharing their Kenpo and being in service to their students. Bob White was involved in the Original “Karate Kid” movie and appeared as a referee in the film. Master White was also involved in the New “Karate Kid” version with Jackie Chan and Jaden Smith. Master White has raised over one million dollars for the “Royal Family Kids” an organization that provides a week-long camp for abused and neglected children.

Master Sepulveda has over 50 years’ experience in American Kenpo and holds an 10^th Degree Black Belt (Senior Master of the Arts) and was one of a very few who was a direct student of the late Senior Kenpo Grandmaster Parker. Master Sepulveda has actively and successfully competed in many Open, National and International tournaments and is known for his speed, explosive power and technique. Master Sepulveda has also appeared on television, and in national and international martial arts magazines, and has written numerous articles on the art of American Kenpo as perpetuated by Senior Grandmaster Ed Parker. Master Sepulveda is founder and president of the Advanced Kenpo Training System (AKTS) one of the worlds most respected Kenpo organizations.

Master Sepulveda has over 50 years’ experience in American Kenpo and holds an 10^th Degree Black Belt (Senior Master of the Arts) and was one of a very few who was a direct student of the late Senior Kenpo Grandmaster Parker. Master Sepulveda has actively and successfully competed in many Open, National and International tournaments and is known for his speed, explosive power and technique. Master Sepulveda has also appeared on television, and in national and international martial arts magazines, and has written numerous articles on the art of American Kenpo as perpetuated by Senior Grandmaster Ed Parker. Master Sepulveda is founder and president of the Advanced Kenpo Training System (AKTS) one of the worlds most respected Kenpo organizations.

Master Downey is an 9^th degree black belt and has been a Kenpo student & teacher for the past 47 years. During the 1970s Master Downey had a very successful tournament career in Ireland which included taking first place in the All-Ireland Kenpo Karate Championships and the European Kenpo Championships. Master Downey has represented Ireland at European and World Championships. He also competed and officiated at Ed Parker’s Long Beach International Karate Championships for twenty years. During his Kenpo studies Master Downey became a close personal friend of the late Grand Master Ed Parker. Master Downey has focused his Kenpo career on producing students with the high degree of Kenpo skills and has worked tirelessly to promote the Kenpo System with his member schools in Ireland, Europe and South America. He is the President and founder of the European Kenpo Karate Association (EKKA) and in this role he travels extensively throughout Europe teaching and promoting the Kenpo System. He is also very proud to be the International director of the Advanced Kenpo Training System (AKTS).

 John began his Kenpo training 1981 under the instruction of Master Eddie Downey and in 1989 Master Downey recommended John for his 1st Degree Black Belt and John had the honour of performing his black belt test in front of the Senior Grand Master Ed Parker in Baggot Street, Dublin. John is currently an 8th degree black belt and has been member of Celbridge Kenpo Karate Academy for over thirty years, during this time he has travelled extensively attending championships, seminars, performing demonstrations and teaching the Kenpo system.  Professor Burgess has many unique talents and is highly regarded by the World Kenpo Community and has made an outstanding contribution to the development and advancement of Kenpo in Europe. 

Richard began his Kenpo training 1981 under the instruction of Master Eddie Downey and in 1989 Master Downey recommended John for his 1st Degree Black Belt and Richard had the honour of performing his black belt test in front of the Senior Grand Master Ed Parker in Baggot Street, Dublin. Richard is a dedicated and popular instructor with a wealth of knowledge that he shares with passion and conviction. He’s currently an 8th degree black belt and has been member of Celbridge Kenpo Karate Academy for over thirty years. 

Dave began his journey in 1972 at Mr. Dave Hebler’s Kenpo Karate Studio in Covina California, his first and only instructor has been Mr. Paul Dye. Dave competed in many tournaments, sparring and forms while coming up through the ranks. In 1982 He had the honor of participating in Mr. Parkers Pasadena studio Black belt technique line, Dave was the only person as a green belt that was allowed to participate with the line. At the time it was not excepted by the upper black belts, having a green belt in (The line). But Mr. Dye assured them he was worthy, thanks to Mr. Dye’s hardcore and dynamic teaching the black belts accepted me in the technique line. In 1983 Dave tested in front of Mr. Ed Parker for his Brown belt at Mr. Parkers studio in Pasadena, California and 1984 he received my black belt from Mr. Parker at the Pasadena studio on the recommendation of Mr. Dye’s.  From 1995 to 2003 Dave won 1st place in the Black Belt Self-Defense Division at Ed Parker Long Beach International Karate Championships for 7 years in a row. In 1986 Dave opened his own Kenpo school teaching in Rancho Cucamonga area of California, while still under Mr. Dyes guidance. In 1998 Dave won 1st place Black Belt Self-Defense divisions at the Nationals, International and European Championships and was promoted to his 5th degree black belt. In 1999 Dave was in the Movie (Hot Boyz) with Mr. Paul Dye, John Sepulveda, Jeff Speakman and other great Kenpoist. In 2001 Dave was feature in 12 episodes of Martial art TV and in 2003 he was featured in the March issue of Martial Art Magazine. In 2005 Dave competed in the Long beach IKC winning 1st place in Self-Defense Division and Grand Championship Finals. In 2013 Dave was promoted to 8th degree and became part of the Ed Parker’s Kenpo Demonstration Dream Team. In 2020 Dave will have been in the art of American Kenpo Karate for 48 years.

Julian is a 7^th Degree black belt under Master Eddie Downey and began his Kenpo studies in 1980’. Professor McDermott with his brothers Mark & Jonathan had an outstanding competitive fighting career winning the European IKC Kenpo Championships on numerus occasions. Professor McDermott is the chief instructor of Castleknock Kenpo Karate Club in Dublin. Professor McDermott is a highly skilled Kenpoist and has produced many excellent black belts.

Barbra graduated from Washington State with a Bachelor of Science degree in Nursing. She works as a Case Manager at Hoag Hospital in Newport Beach, California. Professor White is a driving force in maintaining the very highest of standards at the BWKS and is currently a 6^th Degree Black Belt. She has competed and has 1st place victories in all levels including 1st Place at the International Karate Championships as a Light Weight Black Belt. She also competed and was on the first place Women’s Black Belt Team at the 2012 International Karate Championships held in Long Beach, Ca. Barbara was chosen to be one of the members of the Ed Parker’s American Kenpo Dream Team to perform for the Shaolin Monks from China at the 2013 Festival and Tournament held at the LA Convention Centre. Barbara has been actively involved in promoting an event every year for Royal Family Kids.  Barbara created an extensive yearlong Children’s Character curriculum, that is implemented in the children’s group classes. As a result, children learn about important principles, some of which are, leadership, integrity, responsibility, respect, commitment, friendship, and service.

Virgil is a 6^th degree Black Belt under Master Bob White and is a highly respected instructor at Bob White’s Karate Studio in Cost Mesa, California. Professor Bartolomucci has been studying Kenpo since 1993 and served his country in 1960’s with the US military as a member of the United States Marine Corps. He’s the Director of the Bob & Barbara White Youth Karate Invitational tournament that raises funds for the “Royal Family Kids” an organization that provides care and support for abused and neglected children.

 Aurelien started his martial arts training in September 1996 at the age of 5 in the Roost Warendin club in the north of France under the instruction Mr Jacques Martin. In 2004 he began his Kenpo training with Master Eddie Downey at the schools of Moncheaux and Roost Warendin which were under the leadership of his instructor and friend Mr Maxime Boucherb.  In September 2009 at the age of 18 he tested for his 1st degree black belt EKKA-AKTS in front of Senior Master John Sepulveda, Senior Master Bob White, Master Eddie Downey, Professor John Burgess and Professor Richard Burgess at the European Kenpo headquarters in Celbridge, Ireland. That same year he participated in the World Kenpo Championships in Spain in Guadalajara where he won along with Maxime Boucherb and Franck Dhellin the 1st place in team form. In February 2016 he tested for his 3rd degree black belt at the European Kenpo Headquarters in Celbridge, Ireland, the examiners were Master Eddie Downey, Professor Richard Burgess, Professor John Burgess, Professor Julian McDermott. Aurelien is one France’s most talented and respected American Kenpo practitioners and a highly regarded teacher of the art.