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studio city martial arts, los angeles, ca

SCMA Team

Sensei Bryan

Owner / Head Instructor

Sensei Bryan has enveloped himself in the study, the practice, and the sharing of Tai-Jutsu for over a decade. He began teaching after receiving his Shodan Level (1st Degree Black Belt) from Kancho Chadwick Minge in 2012.  Shortly after, Sensei Bryan was honored as Dojo – Cho (Head Instructor) at Studio City Martial Arts for both Junior and Adult programs. Bryan was announced as Shibu-Cho and became the owner of the Studio City Martial Arts Dojo in 2018. By 2015, he was awarded Chuden Menkyo (2nd Degree Instructors License / 4th Degree Black Belt) by Kancho Minge and the Ten-Chi-Wa Certified Instructor Training Program.  Sensei Bryan continues his studies of the martial arts and other Japanese art forms. In 2018 he received his Yon Dan (4th Degree Black Belt) from Shihan David Keith Heald of the Bujinkan FuRai Dojo. Sensei Bryan is a certified Jikiden Reiki Zenki Practitioner from the Jikiden Reiki Kenkyukai in Kyoto, Japan. He is also CPR and First-Aid certified. Sensei continues to share his knowledge and passion of the Arts with his students.

Ron Lazo

Lead Instructor

Sensei Ron Lazo is the longest active student of Studio City Martial Arts and has been training continuously since 2002. Ron began his training in several different martial art forms, starting with Shotokan Karate when he was a kid, and a Japanese/Korean martial arts blend in his late teens. In 1996, Ron discovered Studio City Martial Arts and the Ten-Chi-Wa Tai-Jutsu Art form. As a kid from the 80’s when then Ninja boom was on, Ron realized this school fulfilled his dream of training in the arts of the ninja. Sensei Ron Lazo specializes in the Ju-Jutsu side of the Art which involves pressure points, joint manipulation, and chokes. The shorter weapons of the Art such as the knife, the hanbo (3 foot staff), and the sword are favorites of Sensei Ron. Ron received his Chuden Menkyo (2nd Degree Instructors License / 4th Degree Black Belt) from Kancho Minge and the Ten-Chi-Wa Certified Instructor Training Program in 2015. He is currently training towards his Third Level Instructor rank. Sensei Ron loves teaching martial arts because he enjoys sharing his knowledge and bringing some light to this world. He believes in preserving the history and classical patterns of the Art, while embracing the evolution, adaptation, and interpretation of the Art to keep it alive. Ron is CPR and First Aid Certified. He also trains in Filipino Martial Arts and is Virtus Certified, a best practices program designed to protect kids. When he is not in the Dojo, he likes spending time watching his kids play sports. He loves to sing, smoke his own bacon, and still dreams of playing drums in a rock band.

Keelia is a dedicated teaching artist who has been enriching education throughout Los Angeles since 2007. With her Bachelor of Fine Arts degree from CSU Fullerton, Keelia has shared her passion for art education across various school and city programs throughout Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, Orange County and more. Keelia brings her years of experience working with children and teaching movement to the S.C.M.A. community. She enjoys exploring the many connections between dance, martial arts, movement, and breath.

Keelia is a Somatic Coach, Hatha Yoga Instructor (500HR) and First Shodan Japanese Reiki Practitioner. She also teaches Meditation and Breathwork. Keelia incorporates her knowledge and skills into the Tai-Jutsu practice, helping students refine their physical awareness and expand their consciousness. Students appreciate Keelia’s honest teaching approach and passion for movement. She encourages and inspires students with her talent to break down complex movements to make them more obtainable.

She contributes her extensive teaching experience to the S.C.M.A. Certified Instructor Training Program and Junior Senpai Leadership Program to help future instructors cultivate their individual voice.

Keelia is also an actress and member of the Road Theatre Company here in Los Angeles. She continues to share her love for the Arts throughout the community and enjoys volunteering to help others in need. Keelia loves eating tacos every day, trail running, and going on adventures with her family.

Keelia Flinn

Program Director
Somatic Coach, Hatha Yoga Practitioner, Meditation, Breathwork, Reiki

Assistant Instructors

Toby Panec

Senpai / Assistant Instructor

Senpai Toby has been training at Studio City Martial Arts for over 12 years.  He earned his first-degree black belt in TaiJutsu.  Toby continues to train towards his next black belt. He enjoys constantly learning more in-depth about Taijutsu, and passing on that knowledge to other students. He loves to train throws, joint locks, and the Hanbo (3-foot staff). Toby earned his bachelor’s degree in political science. He is currently working towards his paralegal certification at UCLA. He has spoken at many political science conferences across the country.  Outside the dojo, Toby likes to travel, go to metal concerts, and hang out with friends. Toby loves to cook pasta, pizza, and anything Italian.

JD Venter

Senpai / Assistant Instructor / Office Assistant

JD Venter began his martial arts journey at the age of seven years old at TKO taekwondo. He earned his black belt in taekwondo and competed in California Open Tae kwon Doe Juniors, California invitational and more.  He then continued his studies in the arts of Boxing, Muay Thai, Dutch style Kick boxing, Brazilian Jiujitsu, and MMA Wrestling at Millenia MMA. He has also trained at the World Renowned “Blackhouse MMA”  and “Elite training center” gyms where he was introduced to Krav Maga and further Mixed Martial arts training. He studied under Special forces trainer and operator, Bryan Rauchbauch, Albert Moreno and Illan Xanthakis. JD has competed in point, semi contact and full contact amateur competitions.  JD has taught martial arts, music, and tutored many students in general education. He loves seeing someone grow – physical and mentally in the art and craft they are working on. He loves helping students find their ‘Aha!’ moment where it all comes together. Outside of martial arts, you will find JD acting in films, playing funk music, or eating Puerto Rican food.

Betty Barbarash

Senpai / Assistant Instructor / Office Assistant

Betty Barbarash is a Sherman Oaks local. She has 10 years of taekwondo experience and received her first-degree black belt from Kicks Martial Arts in 2018. Betty has worked with children for many years. From babysitting as a teenager to a camp counselor at Monarch Summer Camps, Betty has been instructing students in swimming and a variety of outdoor activities. Betty graduated from University College Dublin with her bachelor’s degree in Global Studies. Since her time overseas, Betty began working as a ski instructor in Mammoth Lakes, CA. During her time teaching skiing, Betty developed a strong passion for physical education with the goal of inspiring students to take a holistic, lifelong approach to health and wellness.   After moving back to Los Angeles, Betty decided to continue working in movement and reentered the Martial Arts space here with Studio City Martial Arts. She is excited to learn a new art and add it to her skillset. Betty also has a strong passion for travel and cultural immersion. She has lived in 4 different countries outside the US, Mexico, Italy, Ireland and Canada. She hopes to bring her wide range of experience to the dojo and continue to inspire students to have fun, stay active, and develop lifelong confidence.

Delvin Harrington

Senpai / Assistant Instructor

Delvin Harrington started training in Shotokan karate at the age of 10 years old. He is a second-degree black belt who has competed and earned trophies in multiple tournaments.   After attending college at A.M.D.A. in Los Angeles,  Delvin moved back to his hometown, Hisperia, CA, to help his Sensei teach at the Dojo he was brought up in.  In 2022, he moved back to Los Angeles and began teaching at Studio City Martial Arts. Delvin enjoys connecting with each student and giving them the tools they need to protect themselves. When he’s not in the Dojo, Delvin can be found acting or taking camping trips. In his free time, he likes to practice the ukelele or writing scripts for new projects.

Reed Lazo

Senpai / Assistant Instructor

Redmund “Reed” Lazo began training martial arts with his father, Sensei Ron, when he was 8 years old. With over a decade of training, Senpai Reed finds most excitement in training real-life scenarios and seeing all the possibilities the Art can be explored. Reed is currently studying towards his associate degree in welding at Glendale Community College. He loves working with tools and building with his hands. Senpai Reed enjoys playing and coaching volleyball. He is an assistant coach at Harvard Westlake High School. He is the biggest nerd you’ll ever meet as he enjoys watching movies with his friends, collecting Funko Pops, and playing both card and board games. He loves to attend and serve at church, serve coffees and breakfast as a barista, and make sculptures out of metal.

Junior Senpai Assistant Instructors

coming soon...

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