Defense Arts Center

Defense Arts Center offers Shotokan Karate for Kids, Shotokan Karate for Teens and Adults, Advanced Shotokan Karate, Iaido, Aikido & Sword, Kobudo, Japanese Jujutsu, Katori Shinto Ryu, and Wing Chun Gung Fu. Shotokan Karate for Kids is listed for ages 7-12, with classes on Mondays and Wednesdays 4:30-5:30 PM, Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays 5:30-6:30 PM, and Saturdays 10:00-11:00 AM. The program schedule states that classes are held mornings, afternoons, evenings, and weekends, and the dojo offers classes 7 days a week.

Programs

• Shotokan Karate for Kids — Ages 7-12 · Mondays and Wednesdays 4:30-5:30 PM; Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays 5:30-6:30 PM; Saturdays 10:00-11:00 AM · $100–$165 per month
• Shotokan Karate for Teens and Adults — Teens and adults · Tuesdays and Thursdays 6:00-7:00 PM; Saturdays 9:00-10:00 AM · $100–$165 per month · Beginning to intermediate levels listed. New students get the first week free. Additional fees apply for testing. Karate uniform (gi) available for $60.
• Advanced Shotokan Karate — Teens and adults · Tuesdays and Thursdays 7:00-8:30 PM; Saturdays 11:00 AM-12:30 PM · $100–$165 per month · Additional fees apply for testing. $25 drop-in fee for irregular training. Karate uniform (gi) available for $60.
• Iaido — Saturdays 1:00-2:30/3:00 PM · $100 per month · Traditional Samurai School. Testing requires membership with the Nippon Meirinkai for testing ($70 first year, $50/yr thereafter).
• Aikido & Sword — Open to students 15+ years old · Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays 7:00-8:30 PM · The classes include stretching, instruction in safe rolling and falling, joint-lock and throwing techniques, weapons, and etiquette.
• Kobudo — Sundays 9:00-11:00 AM · $100 per month · Traditional Okinawan weapon practice based on the Matayoshi style. Yearly membership in Matayoshi Kobudo Kodokan International is required ($75 annual fee).
• Japanese Jujutsu — Thursdays 10:30 AM-12:00 PM; Sundays 6:00-7:30 PM · $100 per month · Students study technique theory, Japanese history and terminology, the human body, and first aid.
• Katori Shinto Ryu — Sundays 10:30 AM-1:30 PM · $150 per month · Traditional Japanese sword and weapons training.
• Wing Chun Gung Fu — Teens and adults · Saturdays 9:00-11:00 AM; Sundays 8:30-10:30 AM · $100 per month · Training is open to teens and adults. Call beforehand to confirm schedule.

At a glance

• Ages: 7–18 years old
• Price range: $100–$165 per month
• General schedule: Classes are held mornings, afternoons, evenings and weekends. The dojo offers classes 7 days a week. Schedule overview lists recurring class times Monday through Sunday.

About the provider

Defense Arts Center was established in 1973 and states that it has been teaching Karate and other martial arts since 1973. Chief Instructor Ty Aponte is listed, along with Sensei Ty Aponte, Senseis Lynn Aponte and David Voiles, Irene Nunez, Sensei Tim Richmond, Sensei Eugene Morales and Sandra Morales, Sensei David Michelson, Kancho Ruben Marquez, Riichi Kitano Sensei Menkyo/Shihandai, Masashi Odate Sensei Menkyo/Shihandai, and Sifu Stanley Tang. The dojo says it strives to teach strong morals and values such as truth, honor, self-discipline, and life skills for all ages, and that it teaches no religion of any kind.

The DAC does not require contracts. New karate students can train for the first week (1-2 classes) for free. Additional fees apply for testing and promotion. Fees are due promptly by the 1st week of each month. There is an additional fee of $10 for payments received after the 10th of each month. There are no refunds or credited rollovers. The DAC and its instructors reserve the right to cancel, change, or reschedule classes as deemed necessary.

Last updated October 13, 2026.