New York Jiu Jitsu - Instructors

In 1994, Sensei Jason founded an American Jiu-Jitsu school at MIT and was head instructor there for 3 years. Today, that school is one of the largest and most successful martial arts schools at MIT. His highest ranked students currently hold the rank of Sandan (3rd Degree Black Belt.)

Sensei Tony Avila - Instructor - Sandan

Sensei Tony

Sensei Tony - Instructor.

Sensei Tony Avila is one of the instructors at New York Jiu Jitsu (American Jiu Jitsu Centers - Manhattan Dojo). Sensei Tony began his training directly under Sensei Jason McCarthy in 1994. He achieved Instructor Certification in 1997. In 1998 he was promoted to the rank of Shodan (1st Degree Black Belt) by the Founder of American Jiu Jitsu Centers, O'Sensei Joe Puleio, and in March 2001 received the rank of Nidan (2nd Degree). Along with his jiu jitsu training, Sensei Tony has experience in hapkido, judo, grappling, knife defense, and arnis de mano. As are all the instructors at New York Jiu Jitsu, Sensei Tony is CPR certified.

In 1997, when Sensei McCarthy graduated from MIT, Sensei Tony took over the American Jiu Jitsu MIT Dojo. He continued as head instructor there for the next 4 years. Sensei Tony has hosted and assisted in numerous rape prevention seminars in both Boston and New York, and is now contributing to the teaching staff at the New York Jiu Jitsu School.

Sensei Felix Dashevsky - Instructor - Nidan

Sensei Felix

Sensei Felix - Instructor

Sensei Felix Dashevsky began his jiu jitsu training at MIT under Sensei Jason McCarthy in 1995 and was part of the MIT dojo until 2002, serving as its head instructor from 2001 to 2002. Sensei Felix has also trained directly under O'Sensei Joe Puleio in 1999, as well as with various jiu jitsu and related martial arts instructors in the Boston area. He received his Shodan and instructor certification in 1999 and Nidan in 2001. Sensei Felix has also recently received his blue belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu under Sensei Aaron Milam. Although training with Sensei Jason at New York Jiu Jitsu's earlier locations during his frequent visits to New York since 1997, Sensei Felix made New York Jiu Jitsu his training home upon his return in 2002.

Sensei Glenn Genovas - Instructor - Nidan

Sensei Glenn

Sensei Glenn - Instructor.

Sensei Glenn Genovas started his American Jiu Jitsu training in 1982 in Long Island, NY. He achieved the rank of Shodan and instructor certification in 1986, and Nidan in December 2006. In addition to jiu jitsu, Sensei Glenn studied with instructors in various styles of martial arts. He is trained in grappling, arnis de mano, knife defense, and kick boxing.

Sensei Glenn has taught Public Safety officers in Pennsylvania in hand-to-hand techniques, organized demonstrations in Pennsylvania for the Boy Scouts and local schools, and participated in jiu jitsu demonstration teams on Long Island. In 1998, Sensei Glenn performed with the American Jiu Jitsu Demonstration Team at the Arnold Classic in Ohio, an international competition, where his team's first appearance earned them 4th place.

Sensei Glenn holds a Bachelors of Science in Athletic Training/Sports Medicine and Orthopedic Rehabilitation and is a licensed massage therapist. He also has his own private practice in Manhattan.

While studying Sports Medicine in Pennsylvania, Sensei Glenn headed his own school for five years, which he then passed on to another instructor and moved back to New York City. Sensei Glenn continued his teaching at the American Jiu Jitsu Fudoshin Dojo in Commack, New York and is now sharing his expert teaching ability with the students at New York Jiu Jitsu.

Sensei Francine Salamone - Instructor - Shodan

Sensei Francine

Sensei Francine - Instructor.

Sensei Francine began training in American Jiu Jitsu in 1988 directly under O'Sensei Joe Puleio. She became a certified instructor in 1990 and was a member of the Women's and Children's Demo teams under the late Renshi Frank Connors. In the summer of 2002, Sensei Francine resumed her training at New York Jiu Jitsu, the Manhattan Dojo of American Jiu Jitsu. In May 2004, she was promoted to the rank of Shodan, 1st Degree Black Belt, under O'Sensei Joe Puleio. Sensei Francine has experience in grappling, knife defense, and arnis de mano. She also trained in Kodokan Judo for approximately 8 years and currently holds the rank of green belt.

Sensei Francine teaches rape prevention seminars and women's self defense courses at New York Jiu Jitsu. She is currently training for her second degree black belt.

Sensei Andrew Frazer - Instructor & Manager - Shodan

Sensei Andrew

Sensei Andrew - Instructor

Sensei Andrew is one of the instructors of New York Jiu Jitsu (American Jiu Jitsu Centers - Manhattan Dojo). Sensei Andrew started training under Sensei Tony Avila in 2000 at the MIT Dojo in Cambridge, MA. There he served as recruitment chairman, treasurer, and assistant instructor for the MIT club under Sensei David Dunmeyer. In 2005 he received his instructor certification and was promoted to the rank of Shodan (1st Degree Black Belt) by Sensei Jason McCarthy. He teaches regular classes at New York Jiu Jitsu and enjoys studying and training in other forms of martial arts.

Sensei Aaron Milam - Instructor - Black Belt BJJ

Sensei Aaron

Sensei Aaron - Instructor

Aaron Milam earned his Brazilian Jiu Jitsu Brown Belt under Rey Diogo (Carlson Gracie) and recently earned his Black Belt under John Danaher (Renzo Gracie). During his six years of training he has competition experience in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, judo, and submission wrestling. Aaron has also spent time training in traditional boxing and Muay Thai under kick boxing champion Garth Redwood.

Sempai Mike Vander Putten - 1st Kyu Brown

Sempai Mike

Sempai Mike

Mike Vander Putten is one of the Sempais at New York Jiu Jitsu (Manhattan dojo). Sempai Mike began his training back in 1995 under Sensei Phil Theodorou, one of O’Sensei Joe Puleio’s earliest black belts. In 1997, Mike became certified before going away to college at SUNY Oswego. While there, he had a chance to work with Sensei Joe McCarthy Jr.'s school. He is currently a 1st Kyu Brown Belt, working towards getting his black belt at the Manhattan dojo.

Sempai Ryan Clarke - 2nd Kyu Brown

Sempai Ryan

Sempai Ryan

Sempai Ryan began his training in February 2004 and earned his certification in November 2005. He currently holds a 2nd Kyu Brown Belt in American Jiu Jitsu as well as a Blue Belt in BJJ under Aaron Milam (John Danaher and Rey Diogo). In addition to actively pursuing his own training, Ryan currently teaches an introductory course for new students as well as Intermediate classes. He has assisted with numerous rape prevention seminars and women's self-defense courses and is a past recipient of the school's annual Instructor's choice and student of the year awards.

Sempai Kevin Dowling - 2nd Kyu Brown

Sempai Kevin

Sempai Kevin

Sempai Kevin started training at New York Jiu Jitsu in November 2002, and became certified in June 2005. He currently holds the rank of 2nd Kyu Brown Belt as well as a Blue Belt in BJJ under Aaron Milam (John Danaher and Rey Diogo). Kevin is also a past recipient of the student of the year award for New York Jiu Jitsu 2003. In addition to experience teaching classes in the adult program, Sempai Kevin has assisted with numerous rape prevention seminars.

Sempai Paul Gold-Pond - 3rd Kyu Brown

Sempai Paul

Sempai Paul

Paul Gold-Pond is one of the Sempais at New York Jiu Jitsu (American Jiu Jitsu Centers - Manhattan Dojo). Sempai Paul started his training at New York Jiu Jitsu in 2004 under Sensei Jason McCarthy. He began assisting in the Young Samurai Program in October of 2005 and received his certification in September of 2006. Sempai Paul’s prior experience with children includes lifeguarding and water safety instruction, involving teaching swimming lessons to school-age children. He continues to maintain current Red Cross CPR and First Aid certifications. In addition to teaching in the adult and kids’ programs, Sempai Paul has assisted in various rape prevention seminars.

Sempai Paul also trains in Shinkendo.

Sempai Kimball Feeley - 3rd Kyu Brown

Sempai Kimball

Sempai Kimball

Sempai Kimball started training at New York Jiu Jitsu in May 2002, and became certified in February 2005. He currently holds the rank of 3rd Kyu Brown Belt and is a past recipient of the student of the year award for New York Jiu Jitsu. In addition to experience teaching classes in the adult program, Sempai Kimball teaches cardio XSCAPE grappling.

Sempai Michelle Zeitler - 3rd Kyu Brown

Sempai Michelle

Sempai Michelle

Sempai Michelle Zeitler began her training in 2002 under Sensei Eric Bornstein (Chushin Dojo, Cambridge, MA), and continued at New York Jiu Jitsu starting in 2004 where she earned her certification in April of 2007. In addition to teaching regular adult classes, Sempai Michelle teaches monthly rape prevention seminars.

Sempai Edward Tall - 3rd Kyu Brown

Sempai Ed

Sempai Ed

Sempai Edward Tall began training in American Jiu Jitsu in 2003 at O’Sensei Joe Puleio’s school in St. James, Long Island. In 2004, his career path took him to Manhattan, where he continues his training at New York Jiu Jitsu under Sensei Jason McCarthy. He obtained certification in January 2007. Sempai Ed teaches intermediate and introductory courses, and has taught and assisted women’s self-defense seminars.

Sempai Alison Chen - Purple Belt Black Stripe

Sempai Alison

Sempai Alison

Sempai Alison started training at New York Jiu Jitsu in February 2004, and became certified in December 2006. She currently holds the rank of Purple Belt with a black stripe as well as a Blue Belt in BJJ under Aaron Milam (John Danaher and Rey Diogo). Alison is also a past recipient of the student of the year award and the instructor's choice award for New York Jiu Jitsu. Sempai Alison teaches essentials classes as well as the women's intensive course.