Biographies

David Handermann

David has been training in the martial arts since the age of twelve, and holds the rank of Shodan, first degree black belt in Uechi Ryu. He also holds the rank of second degree black belt in a style combining elements of Tae Kwon Do, Kung Fu, and Aikido. David began his study of martial arts under Mitchell Freistat and subsequently went on to teach classes for both children and adults. After graduating from college, David began and continues training in Uechi Ryu under Sensei Stanley Crump.

Michael Thompson

Mike's father, James Thompson, had the greatest impact to his karate development. James Thompson and was one of the early American pioneers in Okinawan Karate, having trained directly under Kanei Uechi. Mike began training with his father in the mid 1970's while also studying Tae Kwon Do. After his father retired from the Army in 1980, Mike began training primarily in Uechi-Ryu earning the rank of Yondan, 4th degree black belt. Mike's exposure to many different martial artists and styles has contributed much to his personal understanding. In nearly 30 years of training, Mike has studied with practitioners of Shorin-Ryu, Goju-Ryu, Aikido, and other styles, while also studying traditional Okinawan Kobudo, weaponry.

After receiving the rank of Shodan, 1st degree black belt, Mike began instructing in his father's dojo, teaching all age groups from the ages of six to sixty. Mike continues to demonstrate the techniques that enable students to apply what they learn both in and out of the dojo. If there is one thing Mike would like to pass on, it is that karate is a lifelong study that provides many practical skills for all ages.

Brian Booth

Brian began studying Uechi-Ryu Karate-do in 2002 under the tutelage of Rik Lostritto, Fifth Degree Black Belt (Godan) in Gaithersburg MD, who is his Sensei and mentor. Brian has also been positively influenced in his interpretation of Uechi-Ryu by other skilled practitioners such as Sensei Kiyohide Shinjo and Sensei Narahiro Shinjo, and Shinyu Gushi from Okinawa, as well as by Sensei James Thompson. Brian earned his First Degree Black Belt (Shodan) in 2005, and received his Second Degree in 2007.

Brian also studies Tomiki-Ryu style Aikido with Roma Strathman (Seventh Degree Black Belt) and Fred Strathman (Sixth Degree Black Belt) of College Park, MD. This grappling and throwing style of martial art adds another dimension to his overall development, and it has helped underscore the soft and indirect side of Uechi-Ryu.

Danielle Crump

Danielle Crump has more than 15 years of proven experience in nursing and fitness. This enables her to apply a clinically-proven understanding of the medical and health challenges that women face, with her keen awareness of the way diet and exercise programs should be individualized, accordingly.

Danielle received her Bachelors of Science Degree in Nursing from the University of Maryland. Ever since, she has been a nurse in the esteemed Johns Hopkins Hospital and University of Maryland's Baltimore Hospital systems. Her rotations, include but are not limited to, Neurosurgery, Neurology, Otolaryngology, Bone Marrow Transplant, OB/GYN, Long Term Care, Radiation Oncology and other Medical/Surgical areas. In each of these specialized fields, she has coordinated and implemented patient and family education programs and counseling, and has served as a patient advocate on multi-disciplinary teams of physicians, nurses, pharmacists, speech therapists, occupational therapists, social workers, and nutritionists.

Her success in nursing is matched by her passion for exercise and diet. Danielle has more than ten years of experience in fitness instruction for Kickboxing, Step Aerobics, Hi-Lo Aerobics, Weight Sculpting, and Water Aerobics. She has been an instructor at various health clubs and women's gyms in the Prince George's, Howard Counties and at the Cooley Center at Johns Hopkins Hospital. Danielle has also appeared in fitness commercials for local Sports Therapists and Chiropractors.

Currently, she is a partner in the AeroFitness and Ellicott City Karate Academy in Ellicott City, Maryland, an exercise and martial arts facility where she utilizes her 1994 certifications as a Certified Aerobic and Kickboxing Instructor and Personal Trainer. She has also taught quarterly health and fitness seminars at Morgan State University; and she is an Oncology Nurse in the Radiation Therapy Department of Johns Hopkins Hospital.

Danielle recently worked as a health coach for The Heart and Style, Big Rewards Program sponsored by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office on Women's Health, and was able to help women achieve their goal of weight loss and a healthier lifestyle.

Stanley Crump

Stanley Crump began studying Uechi-Ryu in Massachussetts under Sensei Michael Murphy, one of the highest ranking Uechi-Ryu Instructors of the state. Stan currently holds the rank of Fourth Dan in Uechi-Ryu, and has traveled extensively to receive personal, advanced training from some of the world's foremost masters, including Kiyohide Shinjo, James Thompson, Seiko Toyama, Kanmei Uechi, and Shinyu Gushi. In 1996, he began teaching in Howard and Montgomery Counties and became the Chief Instructor (Sensei) and owner of the Okinawan Karate Academy in Ellicott City, MD.

Stan trains dozens of students, including several who have achieved the rank of Black Belt (Shodan and above). In 1998, Stan competed and won the title of Heavy Weight World Champion in Kumite Fighting. He placed third in the All-Style, International Invitational for kata, which is a formal demonstration of prearranged techniques. He is also a certified practitioner of Reiki, the ancient art of healing and therapeutic touch, including the understanding of energy meridians which he applies to regular training routines. Stan uses his diverse experiences and ongoing personal study to constantly refine the application and teaching of Uechi-Ryu.

Like his current instructor, Sensei Rik Lostritto, and his worthy contemporaries, Stan continues to strive to preserve Uechi-Ryu's heritage and tradition…pure and uncompromised.

Mark Gaspar

Mark Gaspar began studying Uechi-Ryu in 1981 under Sensei Bob Galeone in Annapolis, Maryland, and continued his training under Marty Dow in Takoma Park, Maryland. After suspending his formal training for several years, Mark continued his training with the Okinawan Karate Academy in Ellicott City in 2006.  Mark currently holds the rank of Sandan, 3rd degree black belt.   Over the years, Mark has attended numerous training sessions where he has received advanced training from several of the world's most respected Uechi-Ryu masters, including Kiyohide Shinjo, Narahiro Shinjo, James Thompson, Kanmei Uechi, and Shinyu Gushi.