Meet the Staff

STAFF

Robert F. Xavier
An 8th degree black belt, is currently the ranking instructor of the Yon Ch’uan Karate Federation. He is the lineage holder in the United States of Hwa Yu Tai Chi Ch’uan. He received his initial training and instructor certification from the internationally acclaimed master, John Chung Li in the ancient art of six combinations, eight methods, Chinese Kickboxing. He is the co-founder of “Confident Kids Martial Arts.” He is the author of Three Zone Defensive Tactics. Sensei Xavier has served on the Governors Committee on Fitness in Connecticut where he also served as a clinician for the New England Association of Health, Physical Education and Recreation. Sensei Xavier has instructed programs in some of the most prestigious private schools in the northeast.

Thomas O’Brien
has been a practicing martial artist ;and Judo player since 1975. He currently holds a 3rd degree Black Belt in Judo and a 2nd Dan in Jujitsu. As a competitive Judo player, Sensei O’Brien earned past invitation to the Olympic Training Center. His career includes the Massachusetts State Championships, the New England Championships and first place in the Kansas City Midwest Open. He is a past coach of the Judo club at UMass and President of the Southern Berkshire Judo and Jujitsu Association.

Robert Buckland
is a veteran of 24 years experience in the arts. He is a nationally certified nutritional consultant and personal trainer (IFPA and ACSM). He currently holds a 5th degree black belt in Uechi Ryu Karate where he trained under the system’s American Founder, George Mattson. He also holds a 4th degree Black Belt in American Kickboxing in the Joe Lewis American Karate System. Rob has competed on the national level since 1986. He has a professional fight record of 5 and I. He is a personal sparring partner to the retired World Heavyweight Champion, Joe Lewis, and the Kick USA Heavyweight Champion, Ronnie Copeland. He has appeared in several action films and television documentaries. In 1999, he took first place in the Screen Action Stunt Association acting and fight choreography competition. He is also the founder and chief instructor of F.E.A.R.S. (Final Encounter Aggression Response System).

David L. Maloy
holds a 7th degree Black Belt in Yon Ch’uan Karate as well as a 2nd Degree Black Belt in Classical Aikido. He has traveled and studied the martial arts throughout this country, Europe and Asia. He is responsible for designing the role-playing, which takes place at camp and assists young martial artists in dealing with feelings and aggressions. He has taught Self Defense in the Connecticut State Technical Colleges to police officers and has volunteered in many programs teaching to the underprivileged.

Christine Faber
holds a 2nd degree Black Belt in the Yon Ch’uan System and a Sho Dan rank in Uechi Ryu Karate as well. She is the former ranking woman’s instructor of the Berkshire Academy of Martial Arts. She currently holds teaching certification in Hwa Yu Tai Chi, ~2 Animal Forms. She is presently teaching martial arts and Tai Chi at Simons Rock College of Bard. She also heads the Tai Chi for Elders program with the Lenox Recreation Department. She has spent the past several seasons implementing teaching programs geared to the younger practitioners.

Lawrence Tan
A Kung Fu Master, holds a B.A. in comparative religion from Boston University. He has taught both traditional martial arts and his own self-care therapy of Tri-Harmony for over 30 years. He is nationally known through lectures, workshops and demonstrations. He has presented workshops at institutions such as the C.G.. Jung Foundation and the New York Medical College. He has produced a series of videotapes entitled “Three Minutes to Power and Peace” which received the 1997 Silver Apple Award from the National Education Media Network. He is the author of The Universal Form as well as other books and numerous articles. He currently resides and teaches in New York City where he is working on his current book, Dragon Child. Sifu Tan appeared in the A&E documentary of the Martial Arts as well as in film productions made and aired in China.

L.A. Bek
has a black belt in Aikido and is a certified Yoga instructor. He has studied various martial arts, including Kenpo Tae Kwon Do and Amis. The past six years he has trained with Sensei Ragusa at Aikido KoKiKai of Berkshire County and was recently promoted to the rank of Shodan. Bek is the camp’s watersports director, which includes wakeboard and knee-boarding, waterskiing and scuba.

Glenn D. Newth
holds a 6th Degree Black Belt in the Yon Ch’uan System as well as teaching certification in Tai Chi and the internal art of Lu Ha Ba Fa. He is the “ past operator of a Connecticut Martial Arts Academy and has instructed well over 2000 students. With his twenty-five years experience, Sensei Newth has instructed in many schools both public and private throughout New England. A former serious kata competitor, Mr. Newth has an impressive record in competitions. He is proficient in several weapon arts and has appeared several times on public television shows such as Black Belt Forum.

Tim Keckler
is a multi-disciplined Martial Arts Instructor traveling from Florida to teach at the camp. He holds a 5th degree Black Belt in Classical Shotakan Karate. He also has received black belts in Aikido and Northern Kung Fu Styles. While teaching at the camp, Sensei Keckler is "ln residence" and serves as a mentor to the campers as well as a primary staff instructor.

STAFF

Robert F. Xavier
An 8th degree black belt, is currently the ranking instructor of the Yon Ch’uan Karate Federation. He is the lineage holder in the United States of Hwa Yu Tai Chi Ch’uan. He received his initial training and instructor certification from the internationally acclaimed master, John Chung Li in the ancient art of six combinations, eight methods, Chinese Kickboxing. He is the co-founder of “Confident Kids Martial Arts.” He is the author of Three Zone Defensive Tactics. Sensei Xavier has served on the Governors Committee on Fitness in Connecticut where he also served as a clinician for the New England Association of Health, Physical Education and Recreation. Sensei Xavier has instructed programs in some of the most prestigious private schools in the northeast.

Thomas O’Brien
has been a practicing martial artist ;and Judo player since 1975. He currently holds a 3rd degree Black Belt in Judo and a 2nd Dan in Jujitsu. As a competitive Judo player, Sensei O’Brien earned past invitation to the Olympic Training Center. His career includes the Massachusetts State Championships, the New England Championships and first place in the Kansas City Midwest Open. He is a past coach of the Judo club at UMass and President of the Southern Berkshire Judo and Jujitsu Association.

Robert Buckland
is a veteran of 24 years experience in the arts. He is a nationally certified nutritional consultant and personal trainer (IFPA and ACSM). He currently holds a 5th degree black belt in Uechi Ryu Karate where he trained under the system’s American Founder, George Mattson. He also holds a 4th degree Black Belt in American Kickboxing in the Joe Lewis American Karate System. Rob has competed on the national level since 1986. He has a professional fight record of 5 and I. He is a personal sparring partner to the retired World Heavyweight Champion, Joe Lewis, and the Kick USA Heavyweight Champion, Ronnie Copeland. He has appeared in several action films and television documentaries. In 1999, he took first place in the Screen Action Stunt Association acting and fight choreography competition. He is also the founder and chief instructor of F.E.A.R.S. (Final Encounter Aggression Response System).

David L. Maloy
holds a 7th degree Black Belt in Yon Ch’uan Karate as well as a 2nd Degree Black Belt in Classical Aikido. He has traveled and studied the martial arts throughout this country, Europe and Asia. He is responsible for designing the role-playing, which takes place at camp and assists young martial artists in dealing with feelings and aggressions. He has taught Self Defense in the Connecticut State Technical Colleges to police officers and has volunteered in many programs teaching to the underprivileged.

Christine Faber
holds a 2nd degree Black Belt in the Yon Ch’uan System and a Sho Dan rank in Uechi Ryu Karate as well. She is the former ranking woman’s instructor of the Berkshire Academy of Martial Arts. She currently holds teaching certification in Hwa Yu Tai Chi, ~2 Animal Forms. She is presently teaching martial arts and Tai Chi at Simons Rock College of Bard. She also heads the Tai Chi for Elders program with the Lenox Recreation Department. She has spent the past several seasons implementing teaching programs geared to the younger practitioners.

Lawrence Tan
A Kung Fu Master, holds a B.A. in comparative religion from Boston University. He has taught both traditional martial arts and his own self-care therapy of Tri-Harmony for over 30 years. He is nationally known through lectures, workshops and demonstrations. He has presented workshops at institutions such as the C.G.. Jung Foundation and the New York Medical College. He has produced a series of videotapes entitled “Three Minutes to Power and Peace” which received the 1997 Silver Apple Award from the National Education Media Network. He is the author of The Universal Form as well as other books and numerous articles. He currently resides and teaches in New York City where he is working on his current book, Dragon Child. Sifu Tan appeared in the A&E documentary of the Martial Arts as well as in film productions made and aired in China.

L.A. Bek
has a black belt in Aikido and is a certified Yoga instructor. He has studied various martial arts, including Kenpo Tae Kwon Do and Amis. The past six years he has trained with Sensei Ragusa at Aikido KoKiKai of Berkshire County and was recently promoted to the rank of Shodan. Bek is the camp’s watersports director, which includes wakeboard and knee-boarding, waterskiing and scuba.

Glenn D. Newth
holds a 6th Degree Black Belt in the Yon Ch’uan System as well as teaching certification in Tai Chi and the internal art of Lu Ha Ba Fa. He is the “ past operator of a Connecticut Martial Arts Academy and has instructed well over 2000 students. With his twenty-five years experience, Sensei Newth has instructed in many schools both public and private throughout New England. A former serious kata competitor, Mr. Newth has an impressive record in competitions. He is proficient in several weapon arts and has appeared several times on public television shows such as Black Belt Forum.

Tim Keckler
is a multi-disciplined Martial Arts Instructor traveling from Florida to teach at the camp. He holds a 5th degree Black Belt in Classical Shotakan Karate. He also has received black belts in Aikido and Northern Kung Fu Styles. While teaching at the camp, Sensei Keckler is "ln residence" and serves as a mentor to the campers as well as a primary staff instructor.