The Academy of Martial Arts Studies – Youth & Adult Karate Programs
102 Crystal Ave, Suite A, Findlay, OH 45840
About
The Academy of Martial Arts Studies – Youth & Adult Karate Programs offers Tiny Tigers, Karate Kids, and Adults Programs that include Goju Karate and Ateru Goju Ryu Karate Jutsu. Students take part in activities such as katas/forms, standing and moving basics, sparring, tournament competition, belt testing, and optional board breaking, and the Tiny Tigers pre-school program builds confidence, self control, focus, memory, and cardio while teaching basic karate moves. The Academy also offers Toyama Ryu Sword classes and Private Lessons.
• Ages: 3–18 years old
• Schedule: Tiny Tigers and beginner Karate Kids and Adult classes have options on Monday–Wednesday and Tuesday–Thursday in the 5:00–6:30pm range, and a 2 Month Try and Train Package allows training for 2 months
• Price: 2 Month Try and Train Package: $170 for 2 months of training plus a free $50 uniform
The Academy of Martial Arts Studies states that all classes are designed to fit the age and experience of each student, that the dojo is a family run, family based training facility, and that it accommodates students from age 3 and older while instilling the precepts of Health, Education and Commitment. The facility includes two stand alone karate schools within a 3,600 square foot area, with a check-in area, restrooms, changing rooms, and a Zoom link for all classes so parents, relatives, and students who are home sick can view. The Academy offers age and rank appropriate simultaneous instruction, including a family option where adult beginners can train in Beginner Series Classes on one side with a certified instructor while their kids train on the other side with their own instructor, and the Tiny Tigers program has no tests, with new belts awarded for time in and dedication and end-of-class treats and stickers.
On-staff instructors include 8 certified black belt instructors: a 10th Degree Black Belt Grandmaster/Hanshi with teaching credentials; a 5th Degree Black Belt Renshi with teaching credentials; three 3rd Degree Black Belts; a Second Degree Black Belt; and two Shodans (First Degree Black Belts). The leadership team includes Hanshi Kevin “Huunjin” Cullen as Soke/Headmaster and Chief Instructor and founder of Ateru Goju Ryu Karate Jutsu; Renshi Jim Zellner as Chief Instructor; Sensei Harley Ferris as Chief Assistant Instructor; Sensei Michael Cook, Sensei Coy Schlumbohm, and Sensei Greg Lowery as assistants; Dr. Alexis Caroline as technical developmental advisor for Tiny Tigers; and Evan Boehler as an instructor on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Hanshi Cullen has been consistently training in Goju since 1973, holds a 10th Dan Soke in Ateru Goju, is recognized by the World Head of Family Sokeship Council as a legitimate Soke and Grandmaster, and has multiple academic degrees including a Bachelor Degree in Japanese Language and Culture, a Masters in Business, a bachelor in Law and the Liberal Arts, and a Masters in TESOL and Applied Linguistics, and he teaches English at the University of Findlay’s IELP.
Renshi Jim Zellner holds a 5th Degree Black Belt and Renshi Teaching Credentials, has been training with Hanshi Cullen off and on since 1992, and teaches Toyama Ryu Sword classes. Sensei Harley Ferris holds a 3rd Degree Black Belt, has been teaching classes from Tiny Tigers to Black Belts since receiving his brown belt, and holds a PhD in Rhetoric and Writing and teaches at the University of Findlay. Sensei Michael Cook holds a 3rd Degree Black Belt in Ateru Goju Ryu from Hanshi Cullen; Sensei Coy Schlumbohm holds a 3rd Degree Black Belt Interim and is qualified to teach ages 6 through adult black belt; and Sensei Greg Lowery holds a 2nd Degree Black Belt and has been teaching classes from Tigers to Advanced Adults. Dr. Alexis Caroline is a First Degree Black Belt, serves as the technical developmental advisor for the Tiny Tigers program, and works as a Doctor of Occupational Therapy with a specialty in outpatient Pediatrics, and instructor Evan Boehler is qualified to teach all class levels, has served in Americorps as a Fire Fighter, was trained as an EMT and first responder, and holds an IICRC certificate.
The Academy of Martial Arts Studies was voted the Best Martial Arts School for four years in a row in Findlay and Hancock County and is recognized as the Hombu dojo of Hanshi Kevin Cullen. The Academy is recognized by the World Head of Family organization and seven other international councils, and all instructors are described as Nationally and Internationally Ranked and Certified, with most instructors academically degreed as well as belted in a variety of martial arts disciplines. The Academy states that it offers more choices, more classes, and more experience than any school in the area and that no other school in the county offers age and rank appropriate simultaneous instruction.
The Academy of Martial Arts Studies thanks Findlay and Hancock County for voting it the Best Martial Arts School for four years in a row. Hanshi Cullen was one of five Japanese students chosen in an All-State University language-based competition held through The Ohio State University to represent the State of Ohio to its sister state Saitama, Japan, and he has trained US Secret Service agents, US Federal Agents, and US Navy SEAL team members.
Last updated May 14, 2026.
• Ages: 3–18 years old
• Schedule: Tiny Tigers and beginner Karate Kids and Adult classes have options on Monday–Wednesday and Tuesday–Thursday in the 5:00–6:30pm range, and a 2 Month Try and Train Package allows training for 2 months
• Price: 2 Month Try and Train Package: $170 for 2 months of training plus a free $50 uniform
The Academy of Martial Arts Studies states that all classes are designed to fit the age and experience of each student, that the dojo is a family run, family based training facility, and that it accommodates students from age 3 and older while instilling the precepts of Health, Education and Commitment. The facility includes two stand alone karate schools within a 3,600 square foot area, with a check-in area, restrooms, changing rooms, and a Zoom link for all classes so parents, relatives, and students who are home sick can view. The Academy offers age and rank appropriate simultaneous instruction, including a family option where adult beginners can train in Beginner Series Classes on one side with a certified instructor while their kids train on the other side with their own instructor, and the Tiny Tigers program has no tests, with new belts awarded for time in and dedication and end-of-class treats and stickers.
On-staff instructors include 8 certified black belt instructors: a 10th Degree Black Belt Grandmaster/Hanshi with teaching credentials; a 5th Degree Black Belt Renshi with teaching credentials; three 3rd Degree Black Belts; a Second Degree Black Belt; and two Shodans (First Degree Black Belts). The leadership team includes Hanshi Kevin “Huunjin” Cullen as Soke/Headmaster and Chief Instructor and founder of Ateru Goju Ryu Karate Jutsu; Renshi Jim Zellner as Chief Instructor; Sensei Harley Ferris as Chief Assistant Instructor; Sensei Michael Cook, Sensei Coy Schlumbohm, and Sensei Greg Lowery as assistants; Dr. Alexis Caroline as technical developmental advisor for Tiny Tigers; and Evan Boehler as an instructor on Tuesdays and Thursdays. Hanshi Cullen has been consistently training in Goju since 1973, holds a 10th Dan Soke in Ateru Goju, is recognized by the World Head of Family Sokeship Council as a legitimate Soke and Grandmaster, and has multiple academic degrees including a Bachelor Degree in Japanese Language and Culture, a Masters in Business, a bachelor in Law and the Liberal Arts, and a Masters in TESOL and Applied Linguistics, and he teaches English at the University of Findlay’s IELP.
Renshi Jim Zellner holds a 5th Degree Black Belt and Renshi Teaching Credentials, has been training with Hanshi Cullen off and on since 1992, and teaches Toyama Ryu Sword classes. Sensei Harley Ferris holds a 3rd Degree Black Belt, has been teaching classes from Tiny Tigers to Black Belts since receiving his brown belt, and holds a PhD in Rhetoric and Writing and teaches at the University of Findlay. Sensei Michael Cook holds a 3rd Degree Black Belt in Ateru Goju Ryu from Hanshi Cullen; Sensei Coy Schlumbohm holds a 3rd Degree Black Belt Interim and is qualified to teach ages 6 through adult black belt; and Sensei Greg Lowery holds a 2nd Degree Black Belt and has been teaching classes from Tigers to Advanced Adults. Dr. Alexis Caroline is a First Degree Black Belt, serves as the technical developmental advisor for the Tiny Tigers program, and works as a Doctor of Occupational Therapy with a specialty in outpatient Pediatrics, and instructor Evan Boehler is qualified to teach all class levels, has served in Americorps as a Fire Fighter, was trained as an EMT and first responder, and holds an IICRC certificate.
The Academy of Martial Arts Studies was voted the Best Martial Arts School for four years in a row in Findlay and Hancock County and is recognized as the Hombu dojo of Hanshi Kevin Cullen. The Academy is recognized by the World Head of Family organization and seven other international councils, and all instructors are described as Nationally and Internationally Ranked and Certified, with most instructors academically degreed as well as belted in a variety of martial arts disciplines. The Academy states that it offers more choices, more classes, and more experience than any school in the area and that no other school in the county offers age and rank appropriate simultaneous instruction.
The Academy of Martial Arts Studies thanks Findlay and Hancock County for voting it the Best Martial Arts School for four years in a row. Hanshi Cullen was one of five Japanese students chosen in an All-State University language-based competition held through The Ohio State University to represent the State of Ohio to its sister state Saitama, Japan, and he has trained US Secret Service agents, US Federal Agents, and US Navy SEAL team members.
Last updated May 14, 2026.
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