Instructors
Irvin Faust – 6th Dan – Chief Instructor
Irvin Faust Sensei has trained in martial arts for over 30 years. He holds a 6th degree black belt in Aikido and is also a Shidoin (certified instructor. His instructor was Luqman Hakeem Sensei, who was a student of Yamada Shihan (New York Aikikai). Sensei also holds rank in Tae Kwon Do, Karate, and Kung Fu.
Sensei has traveled to Japan to participate in training and demonstrations. He also teaches Aikido for clubs at RPI, local home-schoolers and local youth charities.
John Fitzpatrick – 5th Dan – Assistant Instructor
John met and trained with Faust Sensei when he was a member of an Albany dojo that was affiliated with Syracuse Aikikai. He became one of his first students when Sensei and his family moved to the Albany area to teach Aikido. John has studied under Faust Sensei for over 25 years.
John discovered Aikido after being deeply intrigued with the teachings of Martin Luther King and with the ’70s TV series “Kung Fu”. Sensei is a blending of Dr. King and Kwai Chang Caine. John’s training has always been just what he needed, enriching every other aspect of his life.
John Wright – 4th Dan
John started his Aikido training in 1979. In addition to Faust Sensei his Aikido has been influenced by Yousef Mehter Sensei, Yamada Shihan, Kanai Shihan, Chiba Shihan and a host of other teachers to whom he is eternally grateful to for their encouraging him to try new ways of doing familiar techniques. John has also been involved in the Chinese martial arts Tai Chi, Bagua Chang and Hsing-i. His Aikido training has made him realize that conflict situations with others can generally best be handled by a non-confrontational approach – blending in Aikido parlance. Passing on this art has been a wonderful experience. John received his 4th Dan in 2006.
Kevin Grace – 3rd Dan
Kevin Started his Aikido training in 1989 with Faust Sensei. In addition to Faust Sensei his Aikido has been influenced by Saotome Shihan, Matsuoka Sensei, John Fitzpatrick and Brian Mizerak. Aikido has affected Kevin personally with more confidence, better health, more flexibility and an overall better outlook on life. He received his 3rd Dan in 2008.
Keith Pray – 2nd Dan
Keith started his Aikido training in 1998 with Faust Sensei and Flores Sensei. In 1999 Keith began training with Dortch Sensei and Hagihara Shihan. He returned to Albany Aikido in 2006 and generously shares his experiences from training with Hagihara Shihan. Keith teaches the Monday night weapons class focusing on Bokken and Jo paired and individual Kata. His Aikido has been influenced by Faust Sensei, Hagihara Shihan, Sugano Shihan and Dortch Sensei. Keith feels Aikido has helped him in all aspects of his life. He received his 2nd Dan in 2008.
David Pena – 2nd Dan
Jonny Aronson – 1st Kyu – Senior Children’s Instructor
Bill Koonz – 1st Kyu – Children’s Instructor
Brian Mizerak – 5th Dan – Wandering Instructor
Brian started his Aikido training in February of 1983. His first instructor was Diane Weinberg who had studied in California with Robert Nadeau. The style of was very soft with an emphasis on energy which was difficult for Brian because he was so physical at that time. Sensei Faust was the person who Brian feels gave him a solid base of movement that has allowed him to blend what he has learned from other instructors. Harvey Konigsberg has been the other important influence in Brian’s Aikido development.
Brian first read about Aikido six years before he started. He knew immediately that it was the art he wanted to study. Though he has tried Tai Chi a few times, ‘Couldn’t keep my interest”, there has been no other martial art that has interested Brian.
Aikido has permeated into all areas of his life. Initially it allowed Brian to control his physical energy which lacked a point of focus and as a result. “I used to do a lot of crazy things.” It also brought him into contact with a diverse number of people who have broadened his view of life and helped him to mellow the way he perceives people who are different. Brian feels he is in a place much different than if he had not studied Aikido. Brian was awarded his Fukushdoin in 2001.