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.
We also have assistant junior black belt instructors working towards adult black belt rank. They are caring, enthusiastic, and a great help in class, especially with other kids.
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 23 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.
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 23 years of training in karate. She is the head teacher in our Little Dragons Program for three-, four- and five-year-olds. 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."
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. His son is also a black belt, and Sempai supports the family values and discipline the program has to offer. Tefft Renshi is a people person who brings his practical leadership to our team of core instructors.
GRIFFIN TULL-GAUGER
Sensei
Tull-Gauger Sensei is one of our Little Dragons graduates and a success story for that program. In over 22 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.
KYLE SEARCY
Sensei
Mr. Searcy holds the rank of 2nd level black belt, or Ni Dan, and the title of Sensei. He brings to his karate teaching all of the skills he has developed as an engineering leader in business, a father, and also as a karate dad. Searcy Sensei is adept at gearing his teaching to any age and level of student, from preschool, to elementary, to teens, to adults.
ONIX GAMBOA
Shidosha
Mr. Gamboa was born and raised in Guatamala. Now he is a 1st level black belt with the title of Shidosha. Mr. Gamboa started his martial arts training as a young man while he lived in Mexico. There, he studied taekwondo for two years. He began Ryukyu Kempo in 2018 and continues building his leadership skills in both English and Spanish.
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 still participates occasionally at the dojo, and his skills from literally decades of martial arts training make each class he instructs invaluable.