HKA INSTRUCTORS

The HEILMAN KARATE ACADEMY, INC. is operated by C. Bruce and Ann-Marie Heilman. Mr. Heilman has been involved in the arts for 62 years and Mrs. Heilman for 52 years, for a combined total of 114 years experience in the martial arts.

The HKA also has a full staff of highly trained and qualified Instructors and Assistant Instructors to help each student reach their training goals. Decades of martial arts experience is available to our students at the HKA. The following is a brief overview of some of the key HKA Instructors.

• C. Bruce Heilman - Mr. Heilman holds his Hanshi (Masters) License, 10th Dan in Karate, 10th Dan in Kobudo and 3rd Dan in Ju-Jitsu. He was awarded his Hanshi (Grand Master Teacher) License in Karate & Kobudo from Okinawan Grand Master Seikichi Odo in 1997. He also has his Renshi (Teachers) License in Ju-Jitsu. He is Founder and President of the International Karate Kobudo Federation, President and Director of the Okinawa Kenpo Karate Kobudo Union (OKKKU), Founding Member and Vice President of the World Union of Martial Arts Federations (WUMOF), and a past Board Member of Master Odo's Okinawa Kenpo Karate Kobudo Federation (OKKKF), and serves as a Board Member of four other traditional martial arts organizations. In 1995, he was inducted into the United States Karate Alliance HALL OF FAME, and in 1996 he was named Pennsylvania Instructor of the Year. In 1999 he was inducted into the Pennsylvania Karate Hall Of Fame. He has also had an excellent competitive record becoming a multiple USKA World and National Champion in kata and weapons. Hanshi Heilman is recognized as one of the leading traditional stylists in the States.
  
  
• Ann-Marie Heilman - Mrs. Heilman holds her Hanshi (Masters) License, 9th Dan in Karate and 9th Dan in Kobudo. She has also been awarded her Hanshi License making her one of the highest ranked women in the world and the highest in the Okinawa Kenpo system. Mrs. Heilman was also inducted into the Alliance HALL OF FAME in 1996, making Mr. & Mrs. Heilman the only husband / wife team ever so honored. She was also named Pennsylvania Instructor of the Year for 1996 along with Mr. Heilman. In 2019 he was inducted into the Pennsylvania Karate Hall Of Fame. She has also been a USKA World & National Champion in kata and weapons during her competitive career. Mrs. Heilman is recognized as one of the leading teachers of Women's Self-Defense Programs in the States.
  
  
• Scott Reeser - Mr. Reeser holds his Renshi (Teachers) License, 5th Dan Karate & 5th Dan Kobudo. He is also the Instructor for the Kendo Program at the HKA facility.
  
  
• Brandon Strickland - Mr. Strickland holds his Renshi (Teachers) License, 4th Dan Karate & 4th Dan Kobudo. He is also the Instructor for the Kendo Program at the HKA facility.
  
  
• Curtis Cassler - Mr. Cassler holds his Renshi (Teachers) License, 4th Dan Karate & 4th Dan Kobudo. He is also the Instructor for the Kendo Program at the HKA facility.
  
  
• Tom Dillman - Mr. Dillman holds ranks of 3rd Dan in Karate, 3rd Dan Kobudo.
  
  
• Wilson Reeser - Mr. Reeser holds ranks of 1st Dan in Karate, 1st Dan Kobudo.
  
  
  

Other Current or Past HKA Black Belts in Good Standing include:

• Dan Rupert - Kyoshi, 8th Dan Karate, 8th Dan Kobudo
  
• Steve Baer - Kyoshi, 8th Dan Karate, 8th Dan Kobudo
  
• Doug Hoover - Kyoshi, 8th Dan Karate, 8th Dan Kobudo
  
• Rick Zondlo - Kyoshi, 7th Dan Karate, 7th Dan Kobudo
  
• Michele Apsokardu - Renshi, 6th Dan Karate, 6th Dan Kobudo
  
• Walt Moyer - Renshi, 5th Dan Karate, 5th Dan Kobudo
  
• Matt Apsokardu - Renshi, 5th Dan Karate, 5th Dan Kobudo
  
• Eric Mest - Renshi, 4th Dan Karate, 4th Dan Kobudo
  
• James Leeper - Renshi, 4th Dan Karate, 4th Dan Kobudo
  
• Kathy Focht - Renshi, 4th Dan Karate, 4th Dan Kobudo
  
• Thomas White - Renshi, 4th Dan Karate, 4th Dan Kobudo
  
• David Nowecki - Renshi, 4th Dan Karate, 4th Dan Kobudo
  
• Kim Holzworth - Renshi, 4th Dan Karate, 4th Dan Kobudo
  
• Philip Sherman - 3rd Dan Karate, 3rd Dan Kobudo
  
• Rick Ullrich - 3rd Dan Karate, Tai Chi Practitioner
  
• Scott Meck - 3rd Dan Karate, 3rd Dan Kobudo
  
• Tony Almond - 2nd Dan Karate, 2nd Dan Kobudo
  
• Nancy Sweigart - 2nd Dan Karate, 2nd Dan Kobudo
  
• Jesse Moyer - 2nd Dan Karate, 2nd Dan Kobudo
  
• James Gouger II - 2nd Dan Karate, 2nd Dan Kobudo
  
• Glenn Harting - 2nd Dan Karate, 2nd Dan Kobudo
  
• Rachael Thompson - 2nd Dan Karate, 2nd Dan Kobudo
  
• Barb Kotz - 2nd Dan Karate, 2nd Dan Kobudo
  
• Sven Nicholas - 2nd Dan Karate, 2nd Dan Kobudo
  
• Amy Kleinsmith - 2nd Dan Karate, 2nd Dan Kobudo
  
• Fritz Stoudt - 2nd Dan Karate, 2nd Dan Kobudo
  
• Austin Stoudt - 2nd Dan Karate, 2nd Dan Kobudo
  
• Emily Gunkel - 1st Dan Karate, 1st Dan Kobudo
  
• Long Fei Shao - 1st Dan Karate, 1st Dan Kobudo
  
• Robert Focht - 1st Dan Karate, 1st Dan Kobudo
  
• Charles Beem - 1st Dan Karate, 1st Dan Kobudo
  
• Amy Stanislaw - 1st Dan Karate, 1st Dan Kobudo
  
• Steve Spesak - 1st Dan Karate, 1st Dan Kobudo
  
• Jason Spesak - 2nd Dan Karate, 2nd Dan Kobudo
  
• Joel Alberts - 2nd Dan Karate, 2nd Dan Kobudo
  
• Fran Morrissey - 1st Dan Karate, 1st Dan Kobudo
  
• Jessica Bauer - 1st Dan Karate, 1st Dan Kobudo
  
• Tony Almond - 1st Dan Karate, 1st Dan Kobudo
  
• Rich Klahr - 1st Dan Karate, 1st Dan Kobudo
  
• Brian Lied - 1st Dan Karate, 1st Dan Kobudo
  
• Jason P. Ettel - 1st Dan Karate, 1st Dan Kobudo
  
• Gary Fisher - 1st Dan Karate, 1st Dan Kobudo
  
• Todd Stephen - 1st Dan Karate, 1st Dan Kobudo
  
• Jenn Spraut - 1st Dan Karate, 1st Dan Kobudo
  
• Lee Barto - 1st Dan Karate, 1st Dan Kobudo
  
• Amanda Loose - 1st Dan Karate, 1st Dan Kobudo
  
• Jeremy Schoener - 2nd Dan Karate, 2nd Dan Kobudo
  
• Scott Lash - 1st Dan Karate, 1st Dan Kobudo
  
• Kris Altiero - 1st Dan Karate, 1st Dan Kobudo
  
• Evelynn Nowicki - 1st Dan Karate, 1st Dan Kobudo
  
• Amara Sherman - 1st Dan Karate, 1st Dan Kobudo
  
• Robert Dixon - 1st Dan Karate, 1st Dan Kobudo
  
• Kyle Werley - 1st Dan Karate, 1st Dan Kobudo
  
• Andy McAfee - 1st Dan Karate, 1st Dan Kobudo
  
• Manuel Mendoza - 1st Dan Karate, 1st Dan Kobudo
  
• Jeff Sensenig - 1st Dan Karate, 1st Dan Kobudo
  
• Jonathon Stralo - 1st Dan Karate, 1st Dan Kobudo
  
• Daniel Tothero - 1st Dan Karate, 1st Dan Kobudo
  
• Jamie Brown - 1st Dan Karate, 1st Dan Kobudo
  
• Dale Ojea - 1st Dan Karate, 1st Dan Kobudo
  
• Darius Denunzio - 1st Dan Karate, 1st Dan Kobudo
  
• Brandon Crutchfield - 1st Dan Karate, 1st Dan Kobudo
  
• Michael Quigg - 1st Dan Karate, 1st Dan Kobudo
  
• James Coronado - 1st Dan Karate, 1st Dan Kobudo
  
• Glenn Harting - 1st Dan Karate, 1st Dan Kobudo
  
• Jennifer Gilfert - 1st Dan Karate, 1st Dan Kobudo
  
• Shannon Houptley - 1st Dan Karate, 1st Dan Kobudo
  
• Terry Speck - 1st Dan Karate, 1st Dan Kobudo
  
• James Gouger - 1st Dan Karate, 1st Dan Kobudo
  
• Darius Denunzio - 1st Dan Karate, 1st Dan Kobudo
  
• Greg Baer - Junior Black Belt
  

Founder of the HKA, Hanshi C. Bruce Heilman.

Co-Founder of the HKA, Hanshi Ann-Marie Heilman.

Staff Instructor, Renshi Scott Reeser

Assistant Staff Instructor, Renshi Curtis Cassler

Assistant Staff Instructor, Renshi Brandon Strickland

Assistant Staff Instructor, Sensei Wilson Reeser (center) with Renshi's Cassler and Reeser.

Hanshi Odo and C. Bruce and Ann-Marie Heilman during one of Master Odo's numerous visits to the Heilman Karate Academy in Reading.