Chief Instructor: Grandmaster George E. Mattson, Judan (10-Dan)

Mattson is recognized as the “Father of Uechi-ryu karate” in America. Mattson was originally taught by Tomoyose Ryuko after hours on the military base on Okinawa while serving in the U.S. Army.  He was also trained at the Uechi-Ryu Karate-Do headquarters by Kanei Uechi.  Mattson was promoted to 1st degree black belt before leaving Okinawa at the end of his service in the military.

Mattson was the first to teach Uechi-ryu professionally in the USA, resulting in the majority of the growth of the system.  He began teaching Uechi-ryu in Boston, Massachusetts in 1958 and ran the Mattson Academy in Boston and other locations for decades.  Many of his students, upon mastery of Uechi-Ryu karate, started successful karate schools in the New England area and around the world. He currently teaches at the Mattson Academy (Shubukan) in Mount Dora, Florida and online.  Mattson pioneered the use of online karate, introducing his “virtual dojo” coaching system 20 years ago.

He has sponsored many seminars by karate masters from around the world including Okinawa.  In addition, Mattson hosts Winterfest in Florida and Summerfest in Massachusetts each year where international Uechi-ryu practitioners as well as other martial artists come to share their knowledge and techniques.

Mattson was one of the first to publish a book in English about karate; and has written a number of books about Uechi-ryu, including:

• The Way of Karate, Tuttle Publishing, 1958
• Uechi-ryu Karate Do : Classical Chinese Okinawan Self Defense, Peabody Publishing, 1974
• The Black Belt Test Guide, Peabody Publishing, 2008
• The Way of Uechi-ryu Karate, Peabody Publishing, 2010

Senior Instructor: Justin Testa, Kyudan (9-Dan), Hanshi

Justin holds the IUKF master title of Hanshi and is a certified teacher by the Okinawan Uechi-ryu Karate-Do Association, Soke Shubukan.  He began his Uechi-ryu journey back in the 1960’s with Grandmaster Mattson at the Mattson Academy in Boston, MA.  Recently retired from a career in business, he is now back with the Mattson Academy to pass on the knowledge and skills learned over his many years of studying and teaching Uechi-ryu karate.

Leo Blinn, Rokudan (6-Dan), Renshi

In 1976 at the age of 18 joined Bill Marshall’s Uechi-Ryu Dojo in Mahone Bay Nova Scotia, Canada. When Sensei Marshall relocated studies continued under Sensei Arnie Walfield until 1987. From 1987 to 2009 (promoted Shodan 1989) was a student/instructor with Sensei Victor Swinimer. In 2007 opened a satellite dojo in a nearby town. In 2009 relocated to Fredericton New Brunswick, Canada. For a year tutored students in home and studied Hapkido (soft style) under Master Dave Murray for a brief time.  2010-2012 was in recovery from a vehicle accident and afterwards gradually returned to being fully active under the guidance of Maloney Sensei upon returning “home” to Nova Scotia .
Early 2020 joined the Mattson Online Karate Academy and continues enjoying being an active member and teacher.

Instructor: Tim Dando, Rokudan (6-Dan), Renshi

Tim holds the IUKF master title of Renshi and has been under Grandmaster George E. Mattson’s direct tutelage for almost 20 years.  He has studied and trained Martial Arts for over 30 years including Shito-Ryu, Tai Chi, Tang So Do, Hung-fut Pia Kung Fu and Traditional Lion Dancing.  Current training and expertise also includes a Shodan in Okinawan Kobudo and knowledge in Chinese Weapons and Aiki Jo.  Tim is also a current Executive Board Member of the South China Martial Arts Alliance serving as Vice President.

Instructor: Dan Maestas, Rokudan (6-Dan)

Dan has been a student of Uechi Ryu Karate Do since 1990.  He started his study in Albuquerque, NM under Sensei Steve Vosa. When family and career limited his training time, he joined Grand Master George Mattson’s At Home Karate virtual dojo so he had more flexibility of where and when he could train. That was 17 years ago, and he is still an At Home Karate student and now an instructor.  To supplement his training, Dan has attended many Summerfest and Winterfest camps and seminars in Savate, Jiu Jitsu, Jeet Kune Do, and weapons training to better understand his Uechi Ryu.

Instructor: Mike Vena, Rokudan (6-Dan), Renshi

Started studying Uechi Ryu in Bermuda around 1986 under the tutelage of Sensei Al Wharton. Eventually Mike moved to Florida training with Sensei George Mattson, Sensei Frank Gorman, Sensei Ryan Dean and Sensei Ken Nakamatsu during his 9 years in Florida. Around 2007 Mike took over as Sensei at the Uechi club in Tarpon Springs Florida and taught there until I left Florida in 2011. Around this time, Sensei Mattson became his Sensei.  In 2011, he moved to Vancouver where he started the West Coast Uechi-ryu Karate Academy in North Vancouver, BC which continues to the present day.  Mike holds the master title of Renshi and master instructor title of Shihan.

Instructor:  Patty Dando, Godan (5-Dan), Renshi

Patty holds the IUKF instructor title of Shihan and master title of Renshi has been an instructor for and student of Grandmaster George E Mattson for the last 17 years.  She has studied martial arts for over 30 years and has received Shodan rank in Okinawan weapons.  Recently she has established “Women of Uechi” an organization that supports and celebrates distinguished woman karateka. And is also a founding Director of South China Martial Arts Alliance.

Instructor: Lionel Reynaud, Sandan (3-Dan)

Lionel holds the IUKF teacher title of Jun Shihan and is a certified Uechi-Ryu Karate teacher in France (FFK Federal Instructor). In addition to the Mattson Academy, Lionel teaches at his dojo in France, Oryukan.  He is also studying Okinawan Kobudo (weapons) in the Kinjo-sensei School (Okinawa Koburyu).  Lionel joined the Superempei International Tournament in 2020 & claimed Gold Medal.  Lionel is an Elite Olympics & Paralympics Coach for Elite Cycling Riders; he participated in Beijing, London & Rio Olympics.

Instructor: Ken Phillips, Nidan (2-Dan)

Ken Phillips is the newest instructor on the Mattson Academy team, having earned the rank of Shodan in March of 2022. Ken has been interested in the Martial Arts from a young age and, disillusioned with his early dojo experiences, has been on a life-long quest for quality instruction and training. Having dabbled in a variety of styles Ken finally found his home in Uechi-ryu at the Mattson Academy.

Instructor: Karen VanNess, Nidan (2-Dan)

Karen has been a devotee of the martial arts since childhood. In addition to her Shodan rank in Uechi-Ryu, she holds a fourth-degree black belt in Tae Kwon Do as well as advanced rank in Hap Ki Do. She also fought in amateur full contact kickboxing. She has extensively studied Qi Gong (Chi Kung), breathing methods, and other disciplines focused on the development of internal energy and power. She holds a Master of Medical Qigong (MMQ) degree, is a Certified Medical Qigong Therapist (MQT) and Qigong Instructor and is in the process of completing her doctorate in Medical Qigong and Energetic Medicine.

Instructor: Cody Stephens, Shodan (1-Dan)

Cody began training in martial arts (boxing and judo) in 1988. In 1990s, Cody transitioned to a mix of TKD and Muay Thai.   He began Isshin-ryu Karate in 1999 which he still practices today and has attained the rank of Godan (2022).  Between 2004 and 2012 Cody fought amateur boxing and kickboxing, usually in pay-to-play events. Cody joined the Mattson Academy Virtual Dojo in 2021.  Professionally, Cody is a karate instructor and personal trainer focused on those with injuries and chronic health conditions.