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Our Instructors

East Valley Martial Arts' certified black belt instructors are all committed to sharing and upholding the traditions that have been handed down over decades. Each instructor continues to train as well as teach, and all are very capable and friendly teachers.

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KIRK GAUGER

Kyoshi
Gauger Kyoshi is a 7th degree black belt, known as Nana Dan. Gauger Kyoshi is married to Tull-Gauger Kyoshi, and this husband-and-wife team is in charge of the dojo. With over 27 years of training, their passion is watching students grow, improve and progress on their karate path. They both love helping students improve their lives through martial arts. In addition to teaching karate, Gauger Kyoshi has a background in both teaching ground fighting and personal fitness training.
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JENIFER TULL-GAUGER

Kyoshi
Tull-Gauger Kyoshi is a 7th degree black belt, known as Nana Dan. Tull-Gauger Kyoshi is married to Gauger Kyoshi. Tull-Gauger Kyoshi also has over 27 years of training in karate. As a writer and illustrator, Ms. Tull-Gauger has expanded her mentorship of youth through her children's karate picture books, the Dojo Kun Character Books. This series starts with "The Can-Do Karate Kid."
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BRIAN TEFFT

Sempai
Tefft Renshi holds the rank of 5th degree black belt, also known as Go Dan. Tefft Sempai helps our dojo in all kinds of ways and this versatile instructor teaches karate to all ages. In addition to karate, Tefft Renshi also has a background in teaching ground fighting. Tefft Renshi is a people person who brings his practical leadership to our team of core instructors.
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GRIFFIN TULL-GAUGER

Sensei
Tull-Gauger Sensei is one of our Little Dragons graduates and a success story for that program. In over 26 years of karate, he continuously trained in our Kids Program and is now an Adults Program leader and practitioner. He is an example of living traditional karate, as he continues the path from young student to sensei and beyond.

Our Founder:
Michael Newland Kyoshi

Newland Kyoshi founded what is now East Valley Martial Arts in the mid-1990's. In 2002 he passed the dojo on to the Gauger Renshis. Newland Kyoshi participates occasionally at the dojo, and his skills from literally decades of martial arts training make each class he instructs fun and informative.