Instructors

Senpai Rebecca Angevine

Instructor

Senpai Rebecca holds a 3rd degree black belt in Seido Karate. She is Thousand Waves' Operation Manager and teaches in the adult program.

Studying Seido Karate teaches me to face the challenges that life throws at me; the way of looking at my mind and my fears; the way of relaxation and focus; the way of not giving up. Teaching gives me the opportunity to pass along the joy of the movement of the art and maybe some of the tools I have learned.

Senpai Thomas West

Instructor

Senpai Tom holds a 3rd degree black belt in Seido Karate and a 1st degree black belt in Kajukenbo. He teaches in the Adult, Junior, Youth and Self-Defense & Empowerment Programs. He is president of Cardinal Point Learning Systems, Inc., a workplace learning and performance consulting firms.  He holds a Masters of Education degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

As a student of individual and organizational learning for almost 20 years, I know that the greatest insights occur when you are challenged to teach.

Senpai Akinwande Oyebanjo

Instructor

Senpai Akinwande holds a 2nd degree black belt in Seido Karate and teaches in the Youth and Teen Karate Programs. He is in his first year of college. 

Senpai Susan Barney

Instructor

Senpai Susan holds a 2nd degree black belt in Seido Karate and teaches in the Youth, Teen and Self-Defense & Empowerment Programs. Nationally certified in therapeutic massage and bodywork, she is a member of the adjunct faculty at the Chicago School of Massage Therapy. She is also a member of the Gather Chicago Community Teen Advocacy Program and sings alto in the United Methodist Broadway Church choir. 

In karate we’re learning together how to have fun, be strong, look deeply at our selves, try hard and foster the community support that is key to Seido Karate. Together we’re learning non-quitting spirit. Teaching the kids helps me deepen my art and learn how to enjoy life more.

Senpai Sara Brodzinsky

Instructor

Senpai Sara holds a 2nd degree black belt in Seido Karate and an orange belt in Kajukenbo. She teaches in the Junior and Youth Programs. She is a plumber and a member of Local Union 130. She volunteers as a rape crisis counselor with Rape Victim Advocates. 

Through my training at Thousand Waves I can challenge myself to grow as part of a community. I can express strength and empowerment, and work through frustration and tiredness in a way is helpful to me and doesn’t hurt anyone else. At the end of a good class I am invigorated and de-stressed. My teachers have inspired me by giving me great classes. I enjoy the challenge of creating classes like these when I am working with the kids. The enthusiasm, energy, and fun that the kids bring to class gives me energy for my own training.

Senpai Michal Eskayo

Instructor

Senpai Mic holds a 1st degree black belt in Seido Karate and teaches in the Self- Defense & Empowerment programs. She is an assistant professor of languages and literature at St. Augustine College. She holds a master’s degree in applied linguistics from the University of Illinois. She is also a certified massage therapist and speaks fluent Spanish. 

Thousand Waves has played a crucial role in shaping my adult life. I thrive on the challenge of engaging students and encouraging physical and emotional growth. As I strive to have a beginner’s mind, I am constantly learning with my students.

Senpai Joshua Keesecker

Instructor

Senpai Joshua holds a first degree black belt in Seido Karate. He is the head instructor of the fitness program. Joshua also teaches in the Little Kicks, Junior, Youth, Teen and Adult programs. Joshua is an avid soccer player and physical trainer; he combines his athletic background with a patient yet enthusiastic teaching style for all ages.

I was literally running by Thousand Waves in 1999 and had to stop. I was drawn by the effect instructors had on students of all ages and physical abilities. OSU; to strive with patience means to be your best, try your hardest, and everyone has a best regardless of their age. I think Thousand Waves encourages students to be their best.

Senpai Kate Webster

Instructor

Kate Webster holds a 2nd degree black belt in Seido Karate. She teaches in the youth, teen, adult, and self-defense empowerment programs and was a prior instructor in Chimera's Self-Defense for Women program and student of Shotokan Karate. She holds a PhD in Comparative Education from the University of Chicago.

Teaching all day you would think I would be too exhausted to teach something so physical at night. However, Thousand Waves provides such an enriching, holistic, and spiritful environment that it is always exhilarating for my body, mind, and spirit to all walk through the door, bow, and teach.

Senpai Carmiña Andreuzzi

Instructor

Carmiña Andreuzzi is a 1st degree black belt in Seido Karate and a student of Kajukenbo. She teaches is the Junior and Youth programs. Carmiña is an artist and works in construction.

Seido Karate has been both a humbling and empowering experience for me. It has given me much self confidence by teaching me to value what I have instead of to focus on what I lack. The goal is not to be the best but to be a better person today than I was yesterday. Technique over strength, spirit over technique. It is an honor to pass these values onto the younger people in my life.

Senpai Sarah Kranz

Instructor

Senpai Sarah holds a first degree black belt in Seido Karate.  She teaches in the Youth, Teen, Adult and Functional X Fitness classes.  She is a licensed physical therapist and ASCM certified personal trainer.

I believe that the art of teaching is an opportunity to share and to learn.  I approach my teaching assignments hoping to present the material in a way that the lesson is the experience - that each of us, both teacher and students, will leave our time together more connected in our bodies, minds and spirits.