Rising Sun Martial Arts maintains high standards for those who hold teaching grades. Those who teach at our school typically complete a two-year apprenticeship (Shidoin) and a three-year assistantship (Sempai) before earning their full instructor license (Sensei). All teaching grades are certified by the Shidokan International Karate-do/Kobu-do Training and Research Federation. Any grade above Sensei must be approved by Hanshi-Sei Richard Bernard, president of Shidokan International.
In addition to our director, Hanshi Baker, Rising Sun Martial Arts has a group of highly trained and dedicated instructors.
Instructors
Renshi Evan Miller
Mr. Miller began training in 2012. He holds the ranks of 4th Degree Black Belt in Goju Ryu Karate-do, 4th Degree Black Belt in Okinawa Kenpo Kobudo, and Green Belt in Aikido. He has earned the teaching grade of Renshi (Senior Instructor) in both karate and Kobudo. He has won several tournament Grand Championships and was a Twin State Martial Arts Association Double Crown Champion for both kata (forms)and kumite (fighting).
Sempai Alison Walsh
Mrs. Walsh has been training in various arts since 1996 and has had experience in Isshin Ryu Karate-do, Kung Fu, Tae Kwon Do, Goju Ryu Karate-do and Okinawa Kenpo Kobudo. She joined our dojo in 2018 and currently holds the rank of 3rd Degree Black Belt in both Goju Ryu Karate-do and Okinawa Kenpo Kobudo. In addition, she holds the teaching grade of Sempai (Assistant Instructor).
Sempai Lynne Clough
Ms. Clough began training in 2020. She holds the ranks of 2nd Degree Black Belt in Goju Ryu Karate-do and 1st Degree Black Belt in Okinawa Kenpo Kobudo, as well as the teaching grade of Sempai (Assistant Instructor). She has been the lead instructor and Program Director of our Little Ninjas preschool karate program since 2022. In terms of tournament competition, she has been both a Double Crown Champion (forms and fighting) and a Triple Crown Champion (forms, fighting and weapons forms) in the Twin State Martial Arts Association.
Shidoin Stephen Black
A young Stephen started training at our dojo in 2004, before moving to Florida with his family. He moved back to New Hampshire as an adult and, in 2019, re-joined our dojo. Mr. Black currently holds the ranks of 1st Degree Black Belt in Goju Ryu Karate-do and Brown Belt in Okinawa Kenpo Kobudo, and the teaching grade of Shidoin (Apprentice Instructor).