All our instructors are professionals who have been developed to offer the highest quality instruction. Every member of our instructor team is approachable, caring, and possesses a true love for teaching martial arts. After taking just a few lessons, you will see why The Karate Dojo is Jackson's #1 for quality martial arts training.
Master Eric Alders currently trains in BJJ under World Champion Emily Kwok and Gerry Hurtado from Princeton BJJ which is a Marcelo Garcia affiliated academy.
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Master
Alders started his martial arts training with his Father Paul and
Brother Jason, at 7 years old in Goju-Ryu and advanced to the rank
of Green Belt. After a severe injury to Paul’s leg, the family
stopped their training at that time. Master Alders always maintained
a passion for the martial arts and trained in his home, watched
martial arts training videos, karate movies and always wanted to
achieve a black belt in the martial arts. At the age of 14, Master
Alders rejoined his quest to continue his formal learning of martial
arts and began training in a mixed martial art of Tae Kwon Do, Kenpo,
Hapkido and Aikido. He continued his training and received his black
belt on March 10, 1995.
While training in this style Master Alders realized that to become a
complete martial artist, he must also better develop his defense on
the ground. He furthered his training by studying Brazilian
Jiu-Jitsu and trained with some of the best martial artists,
fighters and instructors in the country. In addition, he continued
training with a group of ground fighting specialists to advance his
skills in this area.
Master Alders began his quest of teaching and continued to teach for
the next 11 years, receiving the rank of Sempai (2nd Degree
Black Belt-instructor in training-1996), Sensei (Certified
Instructor-1998), 3rd Degree Black Belt (2000) , 4th Degree “Master”
on May 14, 2005 and finally 5th Dan on January 10, 2010. In the 15
years of dedication to this system Master Alders was not only a head
instructor but an integral part of the demonstration team, a guest
on a local karate TV show multiple times, has been featured several
times in worldwide martial art publications and in 2004 was inducted
into “Action Martial Arts Magazine’s Hall of Fame” for “Excellence
in Teaching,” and in 2009 was also honored for “Excellence as a Good
Will Ambassador in the Martial Arts.” In 2010 Master Alders was also
inducted in the IIMAA (International Independent Martial Arts
Association) Hall of fame as “Martial Artist of the year” and The
Karate Dojo was inducted for “School of the Year,” in addition to
receiving many other awards, accolades and national recognition.
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Master
Alders, has trained hundreds of students over the years from the
rank of white belt through and
beyond Black Belt. He has always dreamed of running his own Dojo one
day and this has been his life long goal. In January 2006, along
with the help and support of his father Paul and Brother Jason, he
began this quest and decided that he must form a new and more
complete defense system. Based on all of his knowledge, he created a
fusion of martial arts designed to offer a high quality and
well-rounded martial arts system. |
Is an owner and founder of The Karate Dojo and has been an integral part of our dojo every step of the way. He is involved with planning, marketing, promotions, advertising and day to day operations. Prior to opening The Karate Dojo in coordination with his son’s Eric and Jason, Paul was in sales and marketing and owned a sales agency for many years. To learn more about Paul, please see the below interview:
My motivation was mainly because of my long time love of the martial arts and the lifestyle in which it promotes. My son Eric was a head instructor at a martial arts school for about 12 years or so and I knew that he always had a life long goal of opening his own Dojo. I watched him teach for many years and it became apparent that this is what he was destined to do and that became my main motivation to open “The Karate Dojo.” To fulfill his dreams with my support.
I first started training with my sons in 1983 in Goju Ryu. My son Eric continued his training since then and now holds the rank of Master.
Prior to opening our dojo, I had been the owner and President of a sales, marketing and business consulting company in consumer products. I built this company from scratch over 25 years to one of the top, most respected companies in the industry. I worked closely with major organizations like Anheuser Busch and US Playing Card Company just to name two. With the changes in the industry combined with the declining economy, I had decided that it was best to close my company and direct my sales and marketing in another direction. The Karate Dojo became a natural direction to take. When one door closes, another is always ready to open.
We opened with the idea of building it to the best run, systemized and most “family” oriented dojo possible. We always want to have an atmosphere of success and it is very important that the quality of our students is always our main priority. My future goal, even from day one, is to expand our dojo and our style Yuugou-Ryu (Fusion System) to multiple locations.
We felt that it was completely a natural course to take to combine all of our skills and experience. Eric with his teaching ability and extensive martial arts knowledge, me with my sales, marketing and advertising experience and Jay with his amazing art and design talent to put together our logos, ads and merchandise. We expect to have a long, growing and prosperous future together and we always look forward to being on the cutting edge of innovation and advancement in the martial arts industry.
Is an owner of The Karate Dojo as well as our official artist for all advertising, merchandise, logos and more. Jay is a world renowned artist and his full bio can be read here http://jayalders.com/about
Sensei Andrew Connito
2nd Dan - is an instructor at The Karate Dojo as well as a Level 2 Certified American Top Team (MMA) instructor. He is an excellent addition to our staff. Read the brief interview below to learn more about Mr. Connito.
I was 4 years old.
Throughout the years I have trained in Boxing, Judo, Muay Thai Kickboxing, Tae Kwon Do, and of course Yuugou-Ryu.
There are many reasons why I enjoy the martial arts but my favorite part of it has to be teaching. I can honestly say that I love my job and I know that it will always be a part of my life. I’ve worked and trained with many Black Belts, staff and families from many schools but none compare to The Karate Dojo. The level of discipline and the level of intensity expected from everyone is like nothing I have ever encountered. The amazing fact is that the level of training is so great while at the same time the atmosphere is so friendly and family oriented.
The thing that I love most about teaching is the feeling that I get when I see a student of mine achieve a goal, that I helped them achieve. Whether it’s a belt, a kick or something with their life as a whole, I am in a leadership position that allows me to have a positive impact on people.
I like to spend time with my family, go to the gym and I’m a full time college student as well. Of course I also enjoy spending time with my friends and living life to it’s fullest.
mrchandler@tkdojo.com
Mr. Dan Chandler is
our Program Director, an Advanced level student at The Karate Dojo and also he is a Level
2 Certified MMA Instructor for our American Top Team MMA program. He is an excellent addition to our staff and we are proud to have him on board. For more information on Mr. Chandler, see below.
I originally got involved in martial arts for self-defense, a boost in confidence, and to get in shape.
The best part of teaching Mixed Martial Arts is having students come up to me and tell me how they were inspired to quit smoking, go to the gym and loose weight so they could do better in class. Knowing that I’m making a positive impact on peoples lives while teaching them something that is fun and challenging makes me absolutely love my place at The Karate Dojo.
One word, “family”. From the moment we walked in the door we knew we were part of something much bigger than ourselves. Ricardo Liborio (the founder of American Top Team) and Roger Krahl (the striking instructor) welcomed us in as one of their own. It was amazing to see people at that level still teaching and living the fundamentals of being a martial artist, discipline and respect.
Becoming a certified American Top Team instructor was one of the most challenging and rewarding experiences of my life. Being given the opportunity to train with people who are truly the best in the world at what they do was an absolute honor and blessing. Doing drills in striking, takedowns, and groundwork for eight hours a day, three days in a row left me craving more. I was sad to leave their training headquarters in Coconut Creek, FL but I am anxious to continue my training and advance my certification with them. I’m proud to say that I am part of American Top Team. ATT!!!
Surfing, playing guitar and photography.
My goal is to inspire and help others reach their dreams. Whether it is to learn to defend themselves and boost their confidence, or to become a professional MMA fighter, watching people grow and learn is the most rewarding part of being an instructor and martial artist. .
