Born and raised on Kellar Road in Dryden, Ontario, Rick has been dedicated to martial arts for more than 25
years. He first studied Wadoryu where he received his brown belt in 1985. In 1986 Rick joined Isshinryu Karate
and practiced under Sensei Brant Ledoux, Sensei Jim Sapay and Sensei Dave Schultz. He received his Sho
Dan in 1990 and continued to practice. Last promoted to Go Dan in Florida in September 2002 by the UIKA
Board.
Rick has been an active member and teacher at Traditional Isshinryu Martial Arts Club since 1989 and a
member of the UIKA for many years. This non-profit club teaches Isshinryu karate to children and adults at a
local school. Rick is very passionate about practicing and promoting Isshinryu karate in a manner that
maintains the integrity of the original form as taught by Master Shimabuku through Sensei Harold Mitchum,
Sensei John Ingram and Sensei Cindy Ingram. Rick’s high standards and personal example has been an
inspiration to those that cross his path.
Sensei Gary Repetti is a retired police officer who moved from Long Island to Florida in the mid 1980’s when he
began training with Senseis John and Cindy Ingram. He earned his Sho-Dan in 1989. Since the early 1990’s
Sensei Repetti has also trained with Master Harold Mitchum and traveled with him to Okinawa in 1999. He is
presently a staff member at Pro Karate Center in Plam Harbor, Florida and holds the rank of Roku-Dan.
Shannon began studying Isshinryu in 1983. She studied under Senseis John and Cindy Ingram in New Port
Richey, Florida for 11 years. She received her black belt in the summer of 1989. During her eleven years of
training Shannon achieved many state and national titles competing in open tournaments.
At the age of twelve, Shannon began teaching karate to children at the Ingram’s dojo. She continued to teach
karate until 1994 when she left for college. Before leaving, Shannon was promoted to San Dan by Master
Harold Mitchum, Sensei John Ingram and Sensei Cindy Ingram. Shannon attended the University of Central
Florida, studying elementary education. She received a Bachelors Degree in Early Childhood Education and
went on to teach first grade for 6 years. In 2004, Shannon decided to leave the public school system and open
her own dojo. After leaving Florida to join her husband in Arizona she missed karate tremendously and was
anxious to share the Isshinryu tradition with others.
Shannon is currently a member of the UIKA and attends seminars each year to insure her students are
taught Isshinryu the way Master Shimabuku meant for it to be taught.
