About
Defense Arts Center offers training in multiple traditional martial arts, including Shotokan Karate for Kids, Shotokan Karate for Teens and Adults, Wing Chun Gung Fu, Matayoshi Okinawan Kobudo, Aikido & Sword, Kokodo Japanese Jujutsu, Iaido (Samurai) The Discipline of Steel, and Katori Shinto Ryu Traditional Japanese Sword & Weapons Training. The program also lists Karate for Kids, Teens, and Adults, along with Iaido, Aikido, Kobudo, Japanese Jujutsu, Wing Chun Gung Fu, and Katori Shinto Ryu as ongoing arts available to students.
• Ages: 5–18 years old
• Schedule: Classes are held mornings, afternoons, evenings, and weekends.
• Price: Shotokan Karate special promotional offer – one month free to all new members; gift certificates for any of the arts are available for 1, 3, 6, or 12 month intervals; tuition rates are described as very competitive, with no contracts and family discounts; new karate students can train for the first week (1–2 classes) for free.
Defense Arts Center was established in 1973 and states that it has been teaching karate and other martial arts since 1973. The mission statement says the program offers Karate for Kids, Teens, and Adults; Iaido, Aikido, Kobudo, Japanese Jujutsu, Wing Chun Gung Fu, Katori Shinto Ryu, and more, and that it strives to exemplify and teach strong morals and values such as truth, honor, self-discipline, and life skills for all ages. The mission statement also notes that the dojo teaches no religion of any kind and that it has a diverse group of students, including children and adults from many different ethnic backgrounds and walks of life.
The leadership team includes Chief Instructor Ty Aponte; Shotokan Karate – Sensei Ty Aponte; Okinawan Kobudo – Sensei David Michelson; Japanese Jujutsu – Sensei Ruben Marquez; Aikido & Sword – Senseis Eugene and Sandra Morales; Iaido – Sensei Timothy Richmond; Katori Shinto Ryu – Masashi Odate, Sensei Menkyo/Shihandai; and Wing Chun – Sifu Stan Tang. Masashi Odate is listed specifically as Sensei Menkyo/Shihandai. The program notes that each chief instructor can trace their lineage in a direct line to the founders of their traditional martial art and that each continues training through self-study, regular classes, seminars, rank or dan preparation, and training camps held locally or abroad.
Defense Arts Center states that it offers morning, day, and evening classes, age-appropriate classes, and family classes seven days a week, and that it also has classes especially designed for people over 40 or 50+ years old. The program notes that visitors are welcome and that it holds frequent special training events, seminars, and get-togethers. It also states that many members have won medals in local, national, and international competitions. The center mentions that it reserves the right to cancel, add, combine, or otherwise alter classes whenever necessary.
Gift certificates are available for any of the arts offered by Defense Arts Center, and can be used to support ongoing training or trying a new experience for 1, 3, 6, or 12 months. The program also references community involvement by inviting visitors to check its friend Neville Billimoria’s inspirational blog site, Soul Food Friday.
Last updated July 3, 2026.
• Ages: 5–18 years old
• Schedule: Classes are held mornings, afternoons, evenings, and weekends.
• Price: Shotokan Karate special promotional offer – one month free to all new members; gift certificates for any of the arts are available for 1, 3, 6, or 12 month intervals; tuition rates are described as very competitive, with no contracts and family discounts; new karate students can train for the first week (1–2 classes) for free.
Defense Arts Center was established in 1973 and states that it has been teaching karate and other martial arts since 1973. The mission statement says the program offers Karate for Kids, Teens, and Adults; Iaido, Aikido, Kobudo, Japanese Jujutsu, Wing Chun Gung Fu, Katori Shinto Ryu, and more, and that it strives to exemplify and teach strong morals and values such as truth, honor, self-discipline, and life skills for all ages. The mission statement also notes that the dojo teaches no religion of any kind and that it has a diverse group of students, including children and adults from many different ethnic backgrounds and walks of life.
The leadership team includes Chief Instructor Ty Aponte; Shotokan Karate – Sensei Ty Aponte; Okinawan Kobudo – Sensei David Michelson; Japanese Jujutsu – Sensei Ruben Marquez; Aikido & Sword – Senseis Eugene and Sandra Morales; Iaido – Sensei Timothy Richmond; Katori Shinto Ryu – Masashi Odate, Sensei Menkyo/Shihandai; and Wing Chun – Sifu Stan Tang. Masashi Odate is listed specifically as Sensei Menkyo/Shihandai. The program notes that each chief instructor can trace their lineage in a direct line to the founders of their traditional martial art and that each continues training through self-study, regular classes, seminars, rank or dan preparation, and training camps held locally or abroad.
Defense Arts Center states that it offers morning, day, and evening classes, age-appropriate classes, and family classes seven days a week, and that it also has classes especially designed for people over 40 or 50+ years old. The program notes that visitors are welcome and that it holds frequent special training events, seminars, and get-togethers. It also states that many members have won medals in local, national, and international competitions. The center mentions that it reserves the right to cancel, add, combine, or otherwise alter classes whenever necessary.
Gift certificates are available for any of the arts offered by Defense Arts Center, and can be used to support ongoing training or trying a new experience for 1, 3, 6, or 12 months. The program also references community involvement by inviting visitors to check its friend Neville Billimoria’s inspirational blog site, Soul Food Friday.
Last updated July 3, 2026.
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